Flexible Blended Learning Course 1, 2024

Information, Media and Digital Literacies

This Flexible Blended Learning Course provides current research in the field of Media, Information and Digital Literacy. It focusses on how young people engage in the digital space, while also considering the movement worldwide to develop Media and Information Literacy skills across all sectors and communities. This course also curates tools, resources and strategies that can be incorporated in Media and Information Literacy programs and services.

This course aims to identify the competencies related to Information, Media and Digital Literacies. At the completion of the course, you will be equipped to develop and deliver programs and services to facilitate the development of critical thinking and media, information and digital literacy skills for your library community.

The cost of this course is $60, which represents outstanding value. 

This course will provide 10 hours of Elective Professional Learning.

Course structure 

2.5.2 Apply knowledge and understanding of effective teaching strategies to support students’ literacy and numeracy achievement.

2.6.2 Use effective teaching strategies to integrate ICT into learning and teaching programs to make selected content relevant and meaningful.

3.3.2 Select and use relevant teaching strategies to develop knowledge, skills, problem-solving, and critical and creative thinking.

3.4.2 Select and/or create and use a range of resources, including ICT, to engage students in their learning.

7.4.2 Participate in professional and community networks and forums to broaden knowledge and improve practice.

Certificate of participation available via request to: info@slansw.net.au

How the library can support Science Week

Science Week 2024 runs nationally from 10 – 18 August, with school communities across the nation celebrating in a variety of ways. The theme for this year's Science Week is Species Survival - more than just sustainability. For this session, we feature an experienced Teacher Librarian, who has been integral to Science Week at her school for 8 years, alongside the manager of Inspiring Australia to share ideas and tools to help school libraries support Science Week in fun and interesting ways.

In this session, Vicki Courtenay and Karen Player  co-present to share ideas for creative and fun ways to involve the school library as an integral part of Science Week celebrations. Vicki will speak about how she engages and collaborates with the Science Faculty at her school, sharing the lessons she learned about the best ways to engage the school community. Karen will speak about the tools available through Inspiring Australia that align with this year's theme, and ways that you could use them at your school. This session is sure to give you some great practical tips and ideas to help your library support and showcase Science Week, 2024. 

About Karen Player

2.1.2 Apply knowledge of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area to develop engaging teaching activities. 

6.2.2 Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice targeted to professional needs and school and/or system priorities.

7.4.2 Participate in professional and community networks and forums to broaden knowledge and improve practice.

Certificate of participation available via request to: info@slansw.net.au

About SLANSW Online Meet-Ups

The one-hour meet-ups take place in SLANSW's Zoom Conference Room and include a presentation from a guest speaker, with facilitated discussion between participants. We aim to include Q&A time as a wrap-up of each online meetup.

A maximum of 100 places are available for each meet-up, so get your registrations in ASAP.

Participation in SLANSW online meet-ups is at no cost to members.  Non-members may access the meet-ups for $45 per session.

The one-hour meet-up takes place in SLANSW's Zoom conference room. 

Those who register for this event will receive an email within 24 hours before the event, with details to access this online session.

SLANSW Professional Learning Summit

ConnecTech:

Inspired Futures for Information Technology and Digital Literacy Professionals.

PLC, Sydney (Croydon) 

The September SLANSW Professional Learning Summit will be held in face-to-face mode at PLC Sydney, (Croydon) on September 7, from 9:00 am – 3:30pm. The theme of the Summit is ConnecTech: Inspired Futures for Information Technology and Digital Literacy Professionals. We can confirm that our keynote speakers are Dr Damian Maher & Dr Keith Heggast, and Matthew Esterman. They will be accompanied by a number of talented and inspiring workshop presenters. The program includes extra time for attendees to network and visit the Trade Fair.

Details of the full summit program are available here.

Featured speakers:

Dr Damian Maher & Dr Keith Heggart

        

Dr Damian Maher brings with him to UTS a wealth of knowledge after working in primary and secondary schools for a period of 20 years in various states and territories around Australia. Damian is focusing on the use of digital technologies in both primary and secondary schools and on teaching and learning in the tertiary sector with his research. Damian is also interested in project-based learning and how this is being implemented in schools. His current research is situated around a STEM focus. He is also interested in examining pre-service teacher learning. In looking at both of these fields, the impact of AI is a teaching and research focus.

Dr Keith Heggart is an early career researcher with a focus on learning and instructional design, educational technology and civics and citizenship education. He is currently exploring the way that online learning platforms can assist in the formation of active citizenship amongst Australian youth. Keith is a former high school teacher, having worked as a school leader in Australia and overseas, in government and non-government sectors. In addition, he has worked as an Organiser for the Independent Education Union of Australia, and as an independent Learning Designer for a range of organisations.

Matthew Esterman

Matthew Esterman is a History teacher and Director of Innovation and Partnerships at Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta. He holds masters degrees from Macquarie University and the University of Sydney, and is the recipient of several awards from organisations such as the Australian College of Educators (ACE) and the Australian Council for Educational Leadership (ACEL). His role involves establishing and maintaining valuable partnerships with external organisations, as well as seeking out and adopting innovative approaches to the school experience. His portfolio includes supporting the Library and Careers Education teams. Matthew recently launched the Mercy Multicredential initiative at OLMC, which allows students to curate a portfolio of evidence from across their school experience towards a nationally recognised, formal credential. He is a keen lifelong learner who believes we can bend the future using creativity, critical thinking, and compassion. Matt has co-authored a book entitled The Next Word - AI and Teachers, a guide to the educational applications and challenges of AI, and published by Amba Press Australia.

Workshop presenters:

Marika Simon: Ideas for using Generative AI in the primary school library.

Dr Andrew Ross and Ms Karinne Campbell: Civics Education in the Attention Economy: The Role of Teacher-Librarians.

Bryce Corbett: Newshounds: teaching primary school kids media literacy. 

Zeina Chalich: Media Literacy Skills for an AI-Driven World.

Louise Mashiah: Microsoft Learning Accelerators: Using AI to improve learning outcomes.

Amanda Johnstone: Academic Integrity, critical thinking and AI…the journey continues.

Tony Shaw and Michael Botham: Navigating the Digital Maze: Quality Curated Online Resources for School Libraries

Details of the full summit program are available here.

Please note SLANSW's Cancellation and Refund Policy for Professional Learning Events when registering for this conference

Suggested Standards addressed by this Summit

2.5.2 Apply knowledge and understanding of effective teaching strategies to support students’ literacy and numeracy achievement.

2.6.2 Use effective teaching strategies to integrate ICT into learning and teaching programs to make selected content relevant and meaningful.

6.2.2 Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice targeted to professional needs and school and/or system priorities.

6.3.2 Contribute to collegial discussions and apply constructive feedback from colleagues to improve professional knowledge and practice.

7.4.2 Participate in professional and community networks and forums to broaden knowledge and improve practice.

Certificate of participation available via request to: info@slansw.net.au