Creativity, imagination and innovation

Anyone caught the interviews with Ken Robinson on ABC, 7:30 report over the last two nights?
Most interesting ideas on driving innovation in education and developing creativity and thinking skills - ideas such as promoting diversity, not conformity and allowing children time to play, socialise, explore and let their imaginations run wild are worth thinking about.

• 7:30 report (16 and 17 June)
  
• TED Ideas worth spreading
  

Forty years on ...

Did you know that it has been forty years since the first moonlanding in 1969! Much has changed since then and some things have stayed the same. It’s worth reflecting on.

For example:

• What sort of educational technology was in place in schools then? How far have we come?
• What content was taught and how was this delivered?

Watch the video of the moonlanding ... and think about:

• What could have happened if NASA forgto the parachute?
• What were the challenges for the astronauts?
• What opportunities were provide for us by the space program?
  

In looking back, it’s quite incredible this was possible in 1969 - space technology was a sharp focus for many years but not so much now - we are much more focused on global issues of climate change and economic crisis.

Times have changed – how are these social changes reflected in education?

What is the role of digital interactive technologies in promoting student learning, particularly in relation to learning with laptops?

Ladies and gentleman - this is our moon shot - let's not screw it up!

Starry messenger

Four hundred years ago, Galileo Galilei stared out into the night sky, very much as the ancients had. However, this was different as Galileo was aided by a powerful instrument – the telescope. Rapid developments in optics technology lead to new and interesting ways of viewing the very small and the very large. And so, this development in technology paved the way to some remarkable and astounding discoveries.

From what he saw, Galileo gained a better understanding of our position in the universe; he discovered craters and mountains on the moon; the existence of Jupiter’s moons; and he saw even more stars out there than we ever thought possible! These discoveries forever changed our view of the world. Like the telescope, laptop computers will influence the education of students for many years to come in all sorts of ways that we are yet to be certain about.

We too live in a rapidly changing world where digital technologies enhance, influence and empower much of what we do. At work, study or play, digital technologies are interwoven in to the very fabric of our lives. Mobile phone, global positioning devices, mp3 players and the internet are just a few examples that are in everyday use.

Within our communities, students and their families expect that interactive digital technologies to be an integral part of school education. NSW public schools are fortunate to have access to the best resources, including interactive classrooms with interactive whiteboards and videoconferencing facilities enabling students to communicate and collaborate within their classroom, between classrooms and beyond extending opportunities for active and interactive participation in a contemporary learning environment.

Now with wireless-enabled laptops being provided over the next four years, our senior students and secondary teachers have the very best information technologies for their educational and working lives.

The Laptops for Learning Program represents an unprecedented and significant investment by the Labor Government in personal learning technologies signaling our entry into the digital education revolution. It is fitting that this revolution coincides with the International Year of Astronomy as we celebrate the birth and achievements of an outstanding human, Galileo.