Title Chair

Welcome and opening Chair: Ms Deb Smith, ASTA President

Title: Presenter:

Opening address The Hon Dr David Kemp MP Minister for Schools, Vocational Education & Training

Title: Synopsis:

OECD Welcome SMTE arose from concerns expressed within OECD member countries about the relative unpopularity of science, mathematics and technology amongst young people, in spite of their social and economic importance. From an analysis of 23 innovatory approaches in 13 countries, the report Changing the Subject was prepared, as the major resource for an international dissemination program. The report suggests greater attention to student-centred work of an integrated nature and with a practical orientation, to provide an approach capable of being matched to individual student needs and starting points. There are implications for the role of the teacher and the management of effective change.

Presenter:

Edwyn James has managed the OECD SMTE study since 1993, both in development and dissemination. Previously he undertook national consultancy in the UK, following a secondary school career which embraced physics teaching and school management, physics examining and writing. He is a former chairman of the UK Association for Science Education.

Address: Synopsis:

The Changing learning environment I will take the view that changing means evolving towards ever more educationally effective, healthy and cheerful classrooms as possible. Australian teachers have been generating a clear shared set of criteria for quality learning. Perhaps these can best be illustrated by examining or scrutinising some of the many innovative and creative grassroots classroom images available. This address will illustrate one or two such images and attempt to highlight the process of professional collective scrutiny by viewing them through various lensesı such as policy, learning theory, content, equity, technology, assessment, but in particular a pedagogical viewpoint.

Presenter:

Mr Charles Lovitt is the Director of Mathematics projects at the Australian Curriculum Corporation. A major interest of his, is the professional support of teachers, through capturing and sharing the best of classroom practice.

Presenters:

Sharyn Dickerson has been involved in Education for the last twenty years including a variety of valuable experiences teaching Primary Grades K-6; Librarian, ESL Teacher, Special Ed. Teacher, a coordinator in a number of KLAs. Since 1989 she has been a Deputy Principal and classroom teacher. In 1993-94 Sharyn was a consultant for the Sydney Catholic Education Office to 34 different schools in the area of Science and Technology. Dick Gunstone is Professor of Science and Technology Education at Monash University. His research focuses on learning and assessment in school and university science courses and science teacher development at the school level. Much of this work has been collaborative with science teachers at all levels of education. Dr John Knight has children in years five and ten, and has been school board chair at the North Ainslie Primary School for five years. He is chair of the ACT School Board Forum, which represents school boards. He is an environmental research scientist trained in both science and mathematics, and has been using computers since 1965. John Webster is the Chief Executive of the Institution of Engineers, Australia. Educated as a civil and structural engineer, he has worked as a researcher, consultant, university teacher and university administrator. His teaching and research interests extended to engineering design, mathematics, computing and the history of technology. In recent years, he has been heavily involved in the introduction of systems of registration and mutual recognition of engineers, has taken a leading role in a major review of engineering education and has continued his active professional interest in the development and application of design codes.

Title: Synopsis:

Overview of Education Network Australia Education Network Australia (EdNA) has established a process of national cooperation and consultation across all education sectors to maximise the benefits of information technology in education and to avoid unnecessary overlap and duplication of services. The visible face of EdNA is the EdNA Directory Service on the Internet, which was introduced in February 1996 and which will be officially launched in October 1997. The Internet is recognised as a valuable tool which enables students and educators to access relevant information and to communicate with each other. The EdNA Directory Service harnesses this tool for the Australian education community. It is a unique Internet development serving and linking all education sectors in a devolved and responsive management structure.

Presenter:

Dr Evan Arthur , Assistant Secretary of Literacy and Special Programs Branch, Schools Division, DEETYA.

Title: Synopsis:

ASTA Project: Internet resources This session will showcase the ASTA initiatives from the National Telecommunications Project and consider future issues as to how the Internet can be used to support and promote science education and science teachers.

Presenter:

Robert Roe is President of the Science Teachers Association of Victoria. He is currently undertaking research on his PhD on the Impact of Learning Technologies on the Work and Learning of Teachers/ Educators. Robert was ASTA's project officer for the ASTA Internet project. Jan Althorp is the Executive Director of ASTA. She was previously with the Strategic Planning Unit of the SA Department for Education and Children's Services, Curriculum Officer for Science and Education Officer at the SA Museum. Jan was the Project Manager of ASTA's Internet project.

Title: Synopsis:

TEFA project: Internet resources This session will showcase the TEFA initiatives from the National Telecommunications Project & consider future issues as to how the Internet can be used to support and promote technology education and technology teachers.

Presenter:

Ian Webb - School teacher and Chair of TEFA. Michelle Williams - lecturer at QUT and president of Queensland Society for Information Technology in Education (QSITE)

Title: Synopsis:

AAMT Project: Internet Resources The AAMT EdNA DAME Project produced several significant outcomes for Australian mathematics teachers. These included new channels of communication for teachers and professional associations nationally, expanded professional development resources for mathematics teachers, increased levels of cooperation between national and state associations centred on the uptake and effective use of Internet-related technologies, and new ways of doing and learning mathematics now available for classroom teachers and students at all levels.

Presenter:

Dr Stephen Arnold has been interested in mathematics technology for over a decade. He is well known to Australian mathematics educators for his writing, research and professional development work with teachers, related to the use of computers, graphic calculators and the Internet for mathematics teaching and learning at all levels.

Title: Synopsis:

Student Achievement - Changing the subject Innovations in SMTE require matching forms of assessment, both formative and summative, which must be able to gain the acceptance of teachers, students, parents, and potential employers. This presentation draws on several of the case studies to illustrate different innovative approaches, including greater recognition of formative assessment as an effective but often under-used means to stimulate learning, and forms of assessment that go beyond subject knowledge. Strengths and weaknesses of teacher-developed innovations and expert-driven systemic change are illustrated. Tensions are explored between the different purposes of assessment such as the public's desire for systemic monitoring and teachers' interests in information on individual student learning.

Presenter:

Jim Gaskell is a professor and the coordinator of mathematics, science and technology education in the Department of Curriculum Studies at The University of British Columbia. Within the OECD SMTE project, he conducted a case study on gender equity in a Year 10 science class in British Columbia, Canada.

Presenters:

Marj Colvill has an early background in science research. She has twenty years involvement in science and technology education, particularly in primary schools. Marj's involvement includes curriculum development and consultancy, she has been editor of the ASTA Investigating journal, a CRA Fellow and has been an active ASTA Councillor for nine years. Marj is currently head of the primary department at Cressy District High School. Mandy Shaw has been a primary teacher for 16 years. She has worked as a consultant in the area of Science and Technology and was a Gender Equity consultant to the National Technology Profile. Mandy has recently worked as relieving Principal at her last school and is currently a Senior Curriculum Officer - Technology at the Office of the Board of Studies. Tim Hardy represented the Australian Curriculum Studies Association on the ASTEC study's working party. In May he presented the report to the Prime Minister's Science and Engineering Council. Tim is an Associate Professor at the University of Canberra and carries out research and development projects in science and technology education.

Title: Synopsis:

Outcomes based learning This session will explore strategies used at The Pines Primary School to improve student access, participation and attainment in the areas of Science, Technology and Mathematics. The workshop will highlight a number of whole school structures and processes, as well as teaching methodologies and assessment and reporting procedures that have supported the improvement of learning outcomes at the Pines School. Information will include: The collection and analysis of student achievement data at a whole school and classroom level Student self assessment and peer assessment strategies Negotiating aspects of the curriculum with students Explicit teaching and collaborative learning methodologies Applying learning to take social action.

Presenter:

Deonne Smith has been a Principal at The Pines Primary School in Adelaide South Australia for the past seven years. She has a passion for addressing social justice and equity issues in schools. Deonne is particularly interested in the use of collaborative approaches to teaching and learning.

Title: Synopsis:

Gender & Achievement The presentation will explore gender issues implicit in Technology teaching and learning and provide insights into the effectiveness of strategies to address inequalities. At both local and national levels, approaches have identified the need to move beyond emphases on issues of equality of access to the curriculum and resources, toward a focus on gender differentiated or appropriated technologies, unpaid work as well as paid work/vocational experiences and the nature of the technological activity in itself. How teachers respond to trends in students engagement and performance in technology learning will be increasingly important as computer-based technologies impact on all learning areas.

Presenter:

Sue Harriman is A/Chief Education Officer, Technology, in Curriculum Directorate of the NSW Department of School Education. Previous roles include gender equity consultant to the nationally developed Technology statement and profile. She has worked extensively as a classroom teacher, in curriculum and teacher development in Technology Education, throughout NSW and across Australia. Recent publications include Investigating Technology Introductory Book (1996) Longman, Carrots, kites and traffic lights- upper primary technology and Design it, make it, appraise it - lower secondary technology (1996) Curriculum Corporation.

Presenter:

Matt Skoss has taught at Alice Springs High School since 1987. He currently teachers Mathematics and Science to a Year 7/8 class in a multi-age setting. He is interested in developing mathematical activities that are rich in algebra and Working Mathematically processes, that are accessible to students with a diverse range of mathematical understandings, while giving more able students opportunities to extend themselves.

Title: Synopsis:

Transition primary to secondary Recent government reports have highlighted the need for increased focus upon the Œmiddle school yearsı or the early stages of secondary school. Students undergo significant change as they move from the predominantly generalist/single teacher environment of the primary school to the multi teacher/specialist secondary school. Many influences impact on Œstudentsı attitude to school during this time of transition and some of the more social consequences (fear of bullying, feeling lost etc) have been well documented. This presentation will briefly touch on these aspects, but will focus specifically upon the role of the teacher and the changing nature of relationships and teaching environments during transition. Boys and girls respond differently to many of these changes and consideration of their evolving attitudes to school and the curriculum (particularly mathematics and science) during transition provides some insight into the concerns and issues that research has highlighted in later secondary school.

Presenter:

Peter Ferguson. 1972 - 1989 a secondary teacher, 1989 - 1997 a lecturer in science curriculum K - 12 in the Faculty of Education, TSIT/ University of Tasmania. Undergraduate degrees: Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts; completed a Masters degree in Education in 1990 (UTas) with a focus on curriculum and primary/secondary transition. Currently enrolled in a PhD at Curtin University focusing upon student perceptions of changing learning environments and teacher/student relationships during transition.

Title: Synopsis:

Issues for a new learning area Technology has a relatively short history as a cohesive area of study. New Technology subjects demand different approaches to learning. Such approaches are necessary for Technology to produce the full range of expected outcomes. This session will include: an examination of key features of the learning area. some reflections of experiences during the early stages of implementation identification of some on going and emerging issues.

Presenter:

Robert Staples - member of the team that developed the Statement and Profile of Technology for Australian Schools. Leader of the team that developed the NSW Primary Science and Technology Curriculum.

Presenter:

Kerry J Kennedy is a Professor of Education and Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Canberra. He is also the President of the Australian Curriculum Studies Association. His research interests include curriculum-policy development and the impact of curriculum policy on educational practice.

Presenter:

Judith Mousley has taught at Deakin University, Australia, since 1982. Prior to that she was a primary and secondary teacher for fifteen years. Her interests are in the areas of philosophies of mathematics education, mathematical understanding, curriculum change, and exploring the potential for using multimedia in tertiary teaching and classroom research. Judy is president of the Mathematics Lecturers Association of Australia, and an executive member of a range of other professional organisations. Peter Sullivan is the Head of School Education, Victoria, Australian Catholic University. He is the Vice-President for Research of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia. Peter takes active roles in a number of professional associations, is a consultant to a range of Australian and international institutions, authors articles on pre-service and in-service teacher education, and is a member of numerous government committees and networks on curriculum and mathematics education planning.

Presenter:

Mark Hackling is Head of Science Education at Edith Cowan University and has research interests relating to the development of science investigation skills. Dr Hackling was Director of the WA trial of the Working Scientifically students outcome statements 1995-96 and Editor of the Australian Science Teachers Journal 1994-96.

Presenter:

Howard Middleton is Director of Studies, Technology Education and Course coordinator of the Bachelor of Technology Education within the Faculty of Education at Griffith University. His research interests include the development of inventive thinking abilities in technology students.

Presenter:

Edwyn James

Title: Synopsis:

Teachers and curriculum reform In virtually all countries that participated in the OECD study, there has been a shift toward greater influence by teachers in curriculum reform. Assertively, teachers are claiming prerogatives not only in selecting and devising appropriate teaching strategies, a role they traditionally have had, but also in the selection of content itself. In the past, and especially the last fifty years, university-based scientists have been the strongest voice in the definition of the subject matter to be taught. No longer. The reasons for the shift toward greater power for teachers and a diminished influence by university scientists will be discussed, along with the forms teacher leadership are taking in various countries.

Presenter:

Mike Atkin co-chaired the international steering committee for the OECD SMTE study and also was principal investigator for two of the eight American case studies: Project 2061 and California science reform. He is a professor of education at Stanford University, where he also served as dean from 1979 to 1986.

Presenter:

Kevin Ward is an associate professor in the Department of Vocational Education and Training at The University of Melbourne. Professional experience includes leadership of a Centre for Technology Education which involved management of; and teaching in, initial and post graduate courses of technology teacher education. Kevin's current research interests include professional development needs of secondary vocational education teachers and the use of information technology in Victorian TAFE Institutes.

Title: Synopsis:

Distance Education using Technology This workshop will consider distance education in the context of a project funded by DEETYA and run by the AAMT, Inc. entitled Learning the Unlikely at Distance Delivered as an Information Technology Enterprise. Aspects to be considered include the use of (i) satellite television narrowcast to schools, (ii) videoconferencing to interstate and intrastate venues, (iii) hyper text material in conjunction with text and video, (iv) Internet access to newspaper sources, and (v) a CD-ROM, consolidating material with motivating video clips. Video extracts will document the project and the CD-ROM and Internet resources will be demonstrated. A summary of feedback from teacher trials will be presented.

Presenter:

Jane Watson is a reader in mathematics education at the University of Tasmania, where she works with preservice and inservice teachers, conducts research in the chance and data part of the curriculum, and develops multimedia materials to assist teachers, separated by distance across Australia, in teaching chance and data.

Presenters:

Shelley Yeo was formerly Head of Science Department, St Mary's Anglican Girls' School, Karrinyup, WA (1984 - 1996) and is STAWA president 1994 - 1997. She is currently part-time Research Associate, Science and Mathematics Education Centre, Curtin University of Technology, WA, working in the Applied Physics Dept with a physics education research group investigating interactive multimedia in the teaching of physics. Shelley has co-authored physics textbooks and has worked on a casual basis for the Secondary Education Authority, WA, as a Physics Education Consultant. Graham McMahon worked for 2 years in food chemistry and 1 1/2 years in Agricultural Science before teaching. He taught for 10 years in metropolitan, rural and isolated WA High Schools, seconded for 3 years to Scitech Discovery Centre as Education Officer, for 1 year to Christmas Island District High School. Currently teaching science at Kwinana Senior High School.

Title: Synopsis:

Online Communities Thinking about the Internet as a place to host communities of learners and educational professionals, rather than a place to look-up-stuff, alters how teachers make use of the Internet for professional and curriculum purposes. This session will profile National projects which have focused on building teacher communities as a professional development model. Underpinning such projects is the belief that teachers who do not use technology for themselves, are unlikely to understand why and how to use technology with students. Examples of how critical these principles are, to what students are taught about the connected world, will be drawn from the oz-TeacherNet project, the New Images project, Aussie School House and the experience of coordinating the National Professional Associations Project.

Presenter:

Michele Williams is a lecturer in computer education at Queensland University of Technology. Team member of the oz-TeacherNet program, which provides curriculum and professional activities for connected teachers. President of Queensland Society for Information Technology Education (QSITE) and Board member of the Australia Council for Computers in Education (ACCE).

Title: Synopsis:

Models - Partnerships in professional development The Australian Mathematics Trust, in conjunction with the university of Canberra, he instituted the Australia Mathematics Teacher Enrichment Project, an Australia-wide program for teachers of middle-school mathematics. The project aims to enhance teachers discipline knowledge and pedagogy, and to encourage reflective classroom practice. The partnership between the university and the Trust enables teachers to engage in rigorous, yet practically-based study and to gain accreditation towards further qualifications.

Presenter:

Steve Thornton was formerly Head of Mathematics at Price Alfred College in Adelaide and has over 20 years experience in teaching. He is secretary of the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers.

Presenter:

Jane Wright is President-elect of ASTA and is Science Coordinator at Loreto College, Adelaide. Jane was part of the reference group which contributed to and critiqued the ASTA PD Package during its development from 1993 - 1996. Alan Marshall lectures half time in Science and Technology Education at Deakin university and conducts a private consultancy in education in the other half. During the period 1993 -96 Alan was employed by ASTA as the Project Officer of the ASTA Professional Development Package.

Title: Synopsis:

Teacher professionalism The changes present within SMTE imply considerable changes in the role and expertise required of the teacher, whether in subject competence, pedagogy, the management of non-traditional learning situations or the skills of assessment (with greater emphasis on formative assessment to enhance the quality of learning). Illustrations will be given of teachers responding positively by acting collegially to be mutually supportive, or collaborating with academics and others on a basis of mutual respect, with some teachers playing key roles. From such development arises an enhanced view of teacher professionalism, in response to which time must be found for activities outside the classroom.

Presenter:

John Williamson is Professor of Education in the University of Tasmania and was Project Director for the OECD SMTE study in Tasmania. He is interested in the quality of teaching and innovative practice in teaching and learning, both in the context of major recent reforms in the Australian educational system and internationally.

Keynote: Synopsis:

Professional Standards The focus of the presentation will be on the development and application of professional teaching standards. These standards and the assessments aligned with the standards are the products of many hours of teachers commitment and work. I will describe the development process and share the two parts of the new science teacher assessment. The US National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Adolescent Young Adults Science Teacher Assessment we developed is going to be administered during the 1997-98 school year across the US. This administration will be the first opportunity science teachers of students ages 14 -18 will be eligible to receive National Board Certification. The major issues of the address include: What does accomplished science teaching look like? - the development of science teaching standards; How can one assess this teaching?- the development of the science teacher assessment; and How can the assessment decisions be considered valid and legally defensible? -the scoring issues of a high stakes teacher assessment.

Presenter:

Dr Steven Schneider holds a PhD from Stanford University in Design and Evaluation of Educational Programs, a bachelor's degree in Biology from UC Berkeley, and a California Life Teaching Credential. He has extensive experience in the area of program evaluation, research, assessment development, and teaching in the areas of science, math and technology.

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