EdTech Summit Sydney, 2018

EDTECH Summit Rooty Hill, Sydney, 2018
EDTECH Summit
It is always noticeable, the difference in some countries, where First Nations people are not included in this introductory narrative.  It feels as though something is missing in the kaupapa of collaboration, coming together and the wairua of the ‘place’. Many of the attendees wanted help and ideas for their practice and this was reflected in the attendance at the workshops given by Gerhard on Google Sheets, Hinerau on VTAL tracking student progress, Dorothy with Google Keep, Jacob on using websites to increase engagement in writing, Clarelle with learning on Google Sites, Heather with her session on using digital technology to teach a second language, Kariene and Jackie  on Blogging, Zac with his session on movie making, Rebecca in Class on Air and my Paideia online/offline approach for teaching critical thinking. Some of the team introduced the session with a waiata and pepeha and acknowledging and bringing greetings from our people and our place, Manaiakalani, Aotearoa, New Zealand. It was so good to see what other people around the world are doing and to hear their stories. It also is sobering to hear about the battles they are having and the barriers that are put in their way with systems and regulations in Australia, so we are very fortunate in having the drive and the visionaries of Manaiakalani and the future focus of the Trust. There are some very innovative and passionate people working to change the world of education and our team were real examples of this. We were very proud of what they brought to the Summit with their first time experience. It was having this opportunity which made them appreciate what being part of the Manaiakalani Innovative Teachers Group really means both for their career and professional development.
The critical thinker side of me, posed wonderings of never having to leave work as Google supplied everything.  They had notices in the cafe, which said they could have meetings in the cafe, massages on site, haircuts, exercise etc. etc. so your world became a Google world. Having visited Apple HQ in Saratoga where ‘the workers’ also had everything on site and never had to leave the site I pondered on the merits of this 1984 Orwellian world.  Just saying …….




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