Final trip for the year

This evening I returned home from Queensland. I was there to judge the Australasian Pacific Finals of Tournament of the Minds. 

For me, the best part of ToMs is seeing how our future leaders problem solve, work as a team and perform. Over 500 children from all states and territories in Australia, New Zealand and Thailand made it to the Gold Coast for the event. 

Sadly my home territory did not take home any honours or win their discipline but the memories they have gained will be life long. 

I look forward to ToMs 2017 and the opportunity to judge again at the APFs in Adelaide. 

 

Team ACT at the Opening Ceremony of the APFs 

(Outback Spectacular, Gold Coast)

So what did I take away from #uLearn16?

In a nutshell, lots. 

I learned that what I want to teach and what I need to teach are close but still not close enough to the DigitTech curriculum. It has given me perspective and pushed me into the right direction.

It's even got me planning what to do on for my Term 4 GEG Workshop in Canberra - a forum to share and discuss ideas for 2017.

So my first few days back at work have been filled with ideas and planning for 2017, but also focussing on what I need to do this term. 

And today I learned that from 2017 I will go from 1 class of ICT to 3, across Years 6-10. Add to that some work with Year 5 and it will be a busy year filled with great experiences. 

What can I say? I love my job. 

  

Examples of work - Makey Makeys, Drawbots and CargoBot coding

Day 1 #uLearn16

Entry into the Energy Events Centre, Rotorua

Today is the first day of #uLearn16 and I have already been blown away by the respect for culture. Students from Selwyn Primary School, Rotorua performed tradition songs for us, the opening was in Maori and we. all participants, got to sing as well.

As a Darug woman, with little to no language due to the arrival of the British in 1770, I was moved to tears by the respect - how language and culture is taught without question to all students.

My goal for today is to network and learn about innovation in the classroom. Going to a conference in another country can be daunting, but the plus is that it is close to home. And the first time I haven't had to purchase an electric plug adaptor! It's the little things that count.

So Rotorua, I am here. Ready and willing to learn.