June Wall and Karen Bonanno provide an introduction to the research base behind the need for students and teachers to develop new learning skills, formerly known as 21st century learning skills. An outcome of this research has been the recognition of the need for teachers to upskill in these new areas. It presents the argument for, and research about, the…read more →
There has been a reasonable amount of discussion about student engagement and the belief that learning improves when students are curious and inquisitive about the content, or interested in what they may learn, or inspired by the learning experience. Engaging students in innovative learning activities can be one pathway. In this 40 minutes video I explore 18 activities that teachers…read more →
In this webinar Karen shares background research, design elements and examples of how classrooms and libraries have been designed to improve student engagement and learning outcomes. The second segment introduces the Digital Technologies Moodle provided by QSITE. This moodle is designed to provide resources to support the Digital Technologies Australian Curriculum implementation. Read More …
It was an interesting and exciting experience being the chairperson for the K-12 Library Managers Congress. Day two got off to a cracking start with Joyce Valenza’s keynote on The Flipping Librarian. The pace was frantic as Joyce worked her way through a smorgasbord of tools and resources to support the flipped learning approach. Check out her presentation below. Read…read more →
At EduTECH 2014 I had the opportunity to present the opening address, on behalf of the Australian School Library Association, at the K-12 Library Manager Congress. Here are some of my reflections from the first day. Our past is just as important as our future. It helps to inspire and guide. Sugata Mitra opened the conference and made reference to…read more →
I am pleasantly surprised, very honoured and slightly stunned to be awarded an Exponential Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2011. This year only 3 awards were presented. Here I am accepting the award from my Business Mentor Dr Marc Dussault, The Exponential Growth Strategist of Exponential Programs. I was attending the Business Blogging for Sales Lead Generation event hosted…read more →
Right at the start it is important to identify the difference between lobbying and advocacy. Lobbying is active campaigning of the government with the view to asking policymakers to take a specific position on an item of legislation. Advocacy is about working on activities that will influence policy. It is a consistent and persistent effort to shift perceptions through regular…read more →
Just returned from the Australian School Library Association (ASLA) Biennial Conference where I presented a keynote session — A profession at the tipping point: time to change the game plan Abstract: The nationalisation of K-12 education in Australia has the potential to have a Jupiter Effect (prediction that an alignment of the planets would create a number of catastrophes) on…read more →
The keynote address at the 2011 International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) 40th Annual Conference incorporating the 15th International Forum on Research in School Librarianship. Conference Theme: School Libraries: Empowering the 21st Century Learner Read More …
During the House of Representatives Inquiry into School Libraries and Teacher Librarians in Australian Schools, the principals and personnel from the State and Federal Departments of Education were asked if they were aware of the research. The definitive answer was, no. I find this staggering, especially when it is these decision makers who espouse either the ‘Google it’ approach or…read more →