Teaching our Digi Kids: Stories, strategies and skills to help early childhood teachers integrate technology in their classrooms

by Hanan Harrison, National Networker and Digi Kids Hub Coordinator for the ANSN.

The author of this book, Hanan Harrison, is an ANSN National Networker and has coordinated the development and growth of our highly successful Teaching our Digital Kids hub around Australia. She has also designed and delivered a range of related professional learning programs. An outstanding educator and communicator, Hanan contributes enormously to the broad scope of our work, which includes new thinking about learning, pedagogy, curriculum development and delivery and school organisation, as well as the use of new technologies. Her own interests include curriculum design, continuous improvement of pedagogy and technology integration in the classroom, particularly as these relate to the early years of schooling.

This Snapshot outlines the background of African students now in schools in Australia and discusses the need for teachers and schools to find ways to capitalise and build on the strengths of these students, to assist them in building the new (and sometimes unfamiliar) skills that they will need if they are to settle successfully in Australia.

This Snapshot outlines the background of African students now in schools in Australia and discusses the need for teachers and schools to find ways to capitalise and build on the strengths of these students, to assist them in building the new (and sometimes unfamiliar) skills that they will need if they are to settle successfully in Australia.

hom 2007 book sample

The first International Habits of Mind Expo was successfully held in Melbourne and Auckland in October 2008. Over 350 educators from around the world experienced first hand the lessons learnt by leading schools from Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii. Feedback from the Expo has been overwhelmingly positive and plans are now afoot for a similar event in 2008!

The 40 page conference book, containing these schools stories can now be purchased for $20 plus shipping. Log in for the 20% member discount.

Click the cover to see inside(contents) the book.

The ANSN and IBM as partners have documented and produced 11 snapshotsthat showcase early childhood teachers and their journeys inimplementing technology with a play-based curriculum. These snapshotsare designed to celebrate and share the cumulative learning of teacherswho have explored and developed innovative teaching practices throughtechnology integration, based on their participation in the IBMKidSmart project.

The ANSN and IBM as partners have documented and produced 11 snapshots that showcase early childhood teachers and their journeys in implementing technology with a play-based curriculum. These snapshots are designed to celebrate and share the cumulative learning of teachers who have explored and developed innovative teaching practices through technology integration, based on their participation in the IBM KidSmart project.

Assessment by Exhibition KitThe aim of the Assessment by Exhibition Kit is to make available practical information to help teachers develop and implement an Exhibitions Program, including Roundtable assessment.

The Exhibitions Kit is comprised of two components: a Teacher Booklet of written and text-based materials that provide teachers with a framework for developing Assessment by Exhibition and a DVD disk (or a video) that expand on the approach.

Students from the programHow do we help students to develop intelligent behaviours? A number of Australian schools have been working together with the Australian National Schools Network in a research circle to explore the use of the 16 Habits of Mind in their classrooms. Their aim: to help students become better thinkers and know how to draw from a repertoire of strategies when they don't know what to do and develop the habit of doing so.

Head, Heart, Hands shows the story of several schools piloting digital portfolios.

It all began when the ANSN developed a research circle and teachers came together to learn about digital portfolios, share ideas and develop plans.

The teachers went back to their schools and put the ideas into practice.

Team/Small-Group is a particular form of school organisation designed to meet the needs of students in the middle years. Originating in Germany, the model has been adopted in various forms by a number of Australian schools.