Project Details

In 2020, as the world went into lockdown and schools shifted to online learning, the need to lead teacher upskilling for the use of eLearn became apparent. Then, in 2021, it was identified in the FLSHS School Review, that staff needed more training and encouragement to use technology as routine classroom practice. To appropriately address the emergent need for eLearn-capable teachers, I lead multiple workshops at FLSHS to upskill staff in the use of eLearn including course creation, smart groups and file management. I also lead a workshop on the safe and responsible use of Blackboard Collaborate for live online learning, particularly for senior classes who were undertaking the new Year 12 QCE system for the first time. To reduce email and in-person queries, my HoD and I collaboratively developed a range of technical white-papers and tutorial videos stored on SharePoint that were aimed at assisting staff to use technology. After the leading of eLearn training, and creation of whitepaper videos, the school review noting a need for more routine technology use in class showed that more work needed to be done. Thus, Tech Thursday; a fortnightly afternoon workshop, was proposed and run in 2022.

Actions

Each fortnight I lead the Technologies team to deliver a variety of workshops aimed at upskilling staff in the routine use of technology. Topics included the use of Adobe products, Canva.com, SnagIt video capture, Classcraft, Plickers and more.

Results

The Digital Technologies team delivers fortnightly Tech Thursday professional development sessions for Forest Lake SHS staff.

The English HoD was so impressed with Plickers, she presented it to her whole department during a weekly KLA meeting.

Follow-up discussions with staff after Tech Thursday events shows a positive response to learning new ICT skills