2007 - A year of continued learning

In 2007 I became a permanent full time Business/IT teacher at Oakey State High School. I recognised I needed to have a level of expertise that I would continually need to update. Successful innovative integration of ICT within the curriculum requires that I remain current as ICTs expand and grow. Technology in education is ever changing with new environments for learning emerging. This requires specialist teachers to not only have high levels of ICT skills, but functional knowledge and pedagogy to deliver, transform and lead curriculum. In my subject area ICTs are integral to the learning process and have the potential to transform the type of learning and teaching that occurs.

Critical reflection of my teaching skills initiated further university study towards a Masters in Education Technology degree from the University of Southern Queensland and completion of my ICT Pedagogical Licence. Through participation in more online communities including USQ communities, I continued to keep abreast of new and exciting technology. This keeps my mind open to change and new developments with which I experiment, transform and creatively incorporate into my professional teaching practice.

• My business students experimented with new technology available in the real life business world and critically reflected on how business practices could be enhanced by their use. Realistically, my students will become the mentors to many employers with their comprehensive knowledge of the use and adaptability of these ICT's.
• I embraced contemporary ideas of education, and whenever and where ever possible I incorporated student-centred learning approaches.(e.g. collaborative learning, negotiated assessment, connectedness, authentic assessment etc.). VET necessitates the use of ICTs in real life situations.
• I recognised and acknowledged the difference of ability and experiences that learners brought to the classroom as I developed strategies using ICT to cater for those. It was my desire to cater for different learning styles and preferences by giving learners a choice as to how to access and interact with learning materials.
• I researched widely to experiment and incorporate good web design principles to make online learning materials more accessible and usable to all users by catering to reading styles, student interests and preferences for web formats. Lorikeet Lodge Webquest exemplifies how good design principles can encourage even reluctant online learners to become engaged in the learning process rather than lost in a sea of text and lose interest.
• I continued to encourage students to develop a personal, independent viewpoint and to communicate this with others using ICT's. I provided opportunities to use ICT's to demonstrate problem solving using enquiry based methods and decision-making strategies.
• I continued to assist individual staff members with integration of ICT's within their curriculum area.
• I helped innitiate an ICT committee made up of interested staff wanting to strengthen the ICT culture within the school.

AWARDS:
Learning Place Course Developers Award: Highly Commended - Lorikeet Lodge Webquest
Smart Classroom Teacher Excellence Award Darling Downs Region