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Professional
Learning |
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 AISWA
Libraries Professional Learning Session :
11 March, 2005
"Future Technologies : How
is technology changing to suit the needs of educators and students?"
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| Report by Rosemary Horton (Teacher Librarian at the
P.L. Duffy Resource
Centre, Trinity College) |
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On Friday March 11, I attended a professional
development session at Christchurch
Grammar School's Future Sphere.
This is well-resourced purpose-built centre which houses groups of
(Macintosh) computer labs and other equipment like cameras and projectors,
6 technical staff and 6 teaching staff. Between the first and second
session Peter Murray, Director of Information and Communication Services
gave us a brief introduction and tour. During the sessions there was
a continuous stream of students, in classes, small groups and individuals
using the attached rooms, the computers and the equipment. The Centre
offers (paid) courses to community members and teachers after hours,
so that the equipment and facility is used heavily. |
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| Futurist Annimac
(Anni Macbeth} discussed how technology effects the different generations
differently. The Baby Boomers either embraced or rejected change;
Generation X are confused and unsure, the DotComs enthusiastic, and
the Ferals brought up with technology cannot live without it. I know
others had heard Annimac before, saying much the same things, but
I hadn't. I was especially interested in the information about the
experiments tracking the Feral's brains. Evidently the Ferals (0-15)
who have been exposed to technology since birth, have actually developed
multi-tracks in their brains, to such an extent that they cannot function
without multiple inputs. If those extra tracks are not available their
brains search for (or try to create) extra information. So students
who study with book open, computer on, music in their ears, chat room
operating are only feeding a brain that is designed to function that
way. This definitely has implications for our classrooms where often
the only input is a teacher's voice or the reading of a textbook. |
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She reminded us that there are 8 multiple
intelligences and that most schools only focus on linguistic, logical
mathematical and spatial; push to the periphery the bodily kinaesthetic
and musical and totally ignore intrapersonal, interpersonal and naturist
intelligences.
She also talked about the tendency for Western society to move from
economic rationalism to a more intuitive operation; for businesses
to value creativity. I'm not so sure about that contention. I'd love
to know what businesses she's been associated with in WA because I
haven't seen any sign of tendencies that she said were emerging! She
also pointed out that 80% of the jobs our students will do haven't
been invented yet. Although, I think that many of the jobs that are
extant will still exist. However, it seems clear that we need to educate
students differently, to prepare them for a very different world where
the rate of change is still exponential. It will be a world that focuses
much more on creativity, relationships and intuition. Anni presented
us with a vision that is exciting and a little daunting! |
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Robyn Valli, teacher librarian from Perth
College Junior School, gave us a quick overview of future directions
in mobile and RFID technologies, and Robotics. Right now, in some
parts of the world, teachers, parents and transport authorities
track students with their mobile phones. Big brother is definitely
watching! Robyn's suggestions of the future were very interesting
although I think the implementation of RFIDs in the mainstream may
be further in the future than she intimates. I would have liked
to know more about the problems as we don't have much control of
the pace of change.
Craig Valli from Edith
Cowan’s School of Computer and Information Science gave
us an analysis of security which was very informative. I agree with
him about the need for management and education rather than filtering
systems. . Craig pointed out that the
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necessity for security is undeniable
"Security isn't a package, it is a process!" He pointed
out the need for security especially with regard to wireless setups.
He advised accurate (automatic) monitoring of logs for internal
use of the system as most improper use was internal. However, much
of what he had to say was out of the control of lowly TLs!
All in all, it was a stimulating session. |
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