ICTEV 2007 Conference - Digital Discussions

ICT in Education Victoria proudly announces its 28th annual state conference, Digital Discussions, to be held at Melbourne Grammar School, South Yarra on Saturday 19th May 2007. This conference focuses on weaving ICT into every facet of education, connecting students and teachers in their learning through a broad range of resources and skills.

The term 'digital natives' (Prensky, 2001) is regularly used to describe the children we teach. They have grown up in an age where digital, as synonymous with computer, is the norm. We, the teachers are now seen as the 'digital immigrants' in our classrooms, as the vast majority of teachers are from an era when digital meant the use of numbers and the term related to digit, or finger. For teachers now, their knowledge of the term digital is changing, and particularly for you, participants in this conference. You are aware of the changes in ICT and education and eager to be involved in the development of a classroom that is rich in all of the activities that will assist your students in the development of skills and knowledge that will allow them to go forward in their digital world.

So what are digital discussions and how can we utilise them best in our classrooms. Digital discussions obviously fit in the 'ICT for Communication' dimension of the VELS, but we need to go beyond basic communication. We need the email, blogs, wikis, chats, video conferencing, etc. to be more than just faceless communication, we need them to be rich, educationally sound, interactions that we get by looking into someone's face and having a good conversation. We need to use them to encourage the many who don't readily discuss face-to-face to enter into a communications medium that will enhance their learning. We need them to become one way for children and teachers to present and share ideas, to communicate with others, but not just a shallow communication, one that lends itself to the expression of inner selves and allows all involved to grow and learn through the experience.

This conference is the time for your face-to-face conversations. Talk to presenters, colleagues and exhibitors about what the possibilities are for your classroom. Share ideas and experiences. Enjoy the digital discussions that today holds, and go back to your classroom invigorated by the experience. Remember, only you, have the power to make it all come alive in your classroom.

Reference:
Prensky, M. (2001, October). Digital natives, digital immigrants. In On the Horizon, NCB University Press, Vol.9 No.5

This conference promises to deliver school principals, ICT leaders, primary, secondary, and tertiary educators, technicians and specialists with a range of hands-on sessions that will allow them to explore and examine best practice examples across the entire curriculum. See first hand what is topical and exciting in the areas of ICT in education and new approaches to technology that can enhance learning.

Sponsors
ICTEV would like to acknowledge and thank the sponsors of the conference:

Adobe
Atomic Learning
Austhink Software
AV Media Systems
Curriculum Corporation
Dataworks
Deep Freeze
DMS Systems
East West Computers / Battery Powered Computers
Edsoft
Educational Experience
Electroboard
Etech Group / Study Wiz
IBS Audiovisual
Gradexpert
Kookaburra Educational Resources
Marcom Projects
Modern Teaching Aids
Moore Educational
PC Locs
2Simple Software
Sunshine Multimedia
Technokids
Winworld Computers
Ziptales

Wireless connectivity
ICTEV is proud to be able to provide all delegates with wireless connectivity to the internet at its annual conference. This also means of course access to web emails and LAN where relevant.

Annual General Meeting
The 2007 ICTEV AGM of members will take place at lunchtime on Saturday 19th May 2007 at the conference in Room 1 of Wadhurst. Members make sure you are part of the decision making process.

Trade exhibitors
All trade exhibitors are located in the atrium of Wadhurst, allowing delegates to peruse a range of curriculum resources at their leisure. Morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and cocktails will be within the surrounds of the Trade Show.

Prizes
There are three categories of prizes to be won at the end of the conference. All prizes will be drawn at the Cocktail Party commencing at 5pm. To be in the running for the prizes you must visit 15 of the stands in the Trade Show, at the end of your visit, ask for your passport to be stamped or signed. When you have visited 10 stands, pass your passport and evaluation sheet in to the Registration Desk prior to 5pm for entry in to the prize draws.