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.

Laptops: classroom management tips and advice

Whilst classroom management may not be the focus of support for a laptop program, it is important. So, here are some websites you can go to get you thinking about specific strategies.

• The Irving School District (Texas) website for teaching and learning in a one-to-one classroom. The Classroom management section, has suggestions (with v. short video segments) on beginning a lesson, monitoring students, peer instruction and positioning. As well there are video segments with suggestions for teaching in different subject areas. Maybe not earth-shattering stuff but should get teachers to think ‘I can do this, no problem, is that all!’. The other think I really like is the way the material is presented: clear, simple and organised.
• Tech support @ ASB: I think the location of this information really tells us its relationship with teaching and learning! However, we know that classroom management is an important – as is file management which this site covers (Productivity/operations). The classroom management strategies and tips may not be all that useful, however, it can serve as a starting point to get people thinking about what might be useful in different classrooms in the NSWDET context.
• Classroom management tips has 50 tips for managing classrooms using the internet, so not strictly learning with laptops, and also goes beyond administrative stuff, but interesting – it’s not always useful to separate classroom management from teaching and learning. Another useful example of information teachers will find useful and how it’s organised.