<![CDATA[Roland Gesthuizen · Storify]]>http://storify.com/rgesthuizenNodeJS RSS ModuleWed, 22 May 2013 06:59:34 GMT<![CDATA[Knox@50 Community Forum 2013]]>

A project to engage the community in conversations to discuss shaping the future of the City of Knox. These posts were aggregated from the posts shared online during a community forum on Saturday 2 February and tries to capture some on the buzz on the day.

Storified by Roland Gesthuizen · Wed, Feb 06 2013 14:49:47

Our City... Our Future | Knox50
Throughout 2012, Knox City Council asked the community important questions about how we should deal with the changes we're likely to face...
@KnoxCC Set up for the Knox community forum begins!! #knox50 http://pic.twitter.com/WQBWGYCV · Kerryn Ellis
It was exciting to be invited to become part of this consultation process and to meet other Knox faces as the crowd assembled in the foyer. Housekeeping included food for our brains including stationary, lollies and even instructions how to network online using these social media tools. 
Great to be part of #knox50 where they take social media seriously at a community forum (recycled cups too!) http://pic.twitter.com/P2JHX0AM · Roland Gesthuizen
Tweets, posts, RTs, replies, play big role in convo about our future nowadays - key part of #Knox50 discussion. http://pic.twitter.com/R3SJDQsn · Knox City Council
Cr Karin Orpen (Mayor) welcomed all the participants and helped set the stage for our anniversary.
At the Knox City Council today. Cr Karin Orpen (Mayor) opening the #knox50 community meeting http://pic.twitter.com/oV7yEHYg · Roland Gesthuizen
Futurist Steve Tighe opened the workshop by reminding us all that the future is often rediculous, not linear and very complex.
I kept wondering at the forum, how it would relate to my work as a teacher and educator. Like many, I had to start thinking through how things could impact upon others in our community who may not have a voice at the forum. 
It was wonderful to see that the random winner of an iPad from our feedback competition was a student. He gave us some great feedback about living in Knox.
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]]>http://storify.com/rgesthuizen/knox50-community-forum-2013http://storify.com/rgesthuizen/knox50-community-forum-2013Wed, 06 Feb 2013 22:49:47 GMT<![CDATA[VITTA 2012 Conference]]>

Some of the social media buzz during the VITTA conference that was held over two days in August 2012 . I have woven this story using quantum strings so it mashes together ideas and shuffles about the times. It is a personal reflection and of course, the best thing was the opportunity to be there :-)

Storified by Roland Gesthuizen · Thu, Aug 16 2012 04:06:54

A photographic moment by the conference lift. Light beyond the cloud. #acec2012 http://pic.twitter.com/lk4XY56T · Roland Gesthuizen
Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association Inc. - WelcomeVictorian Information Technology Teachers Association Inc. - Welcome
VITTA > 2012 Conference Info > VITTA Annual Conference 2012 > Welcome to Reign of the Cloud Welcome The 2012 VITTA Annual Conference and ...
Before the event, the organisers did they best to fill the chairs and clear the spaces for our thinking. Presenters were busy practicing their talks. Some were even sharing conference App suggestions.
It may seem empty now but tomorrow it will be full of innovating and inspiring conversations. #VITTA2012 http://yfrog.com/mn1sqaxj · VITTA
http://twitpic.com/afmjbv - Rehearsing w @melcashen (using the cloud) my presentations for #vitta12 Reign of the Cloud conference tomorrow · Anne Mirtschin
Breakfast was held for the learning champions who came together to stimulate their thinking and examine new ideas. Delegates assembled over nibbles and coffee.
@rakt Breakfast this morning at #VITTA2012 starts with this - http://yfrog.com/oce1wmsjj · VITTA
And of course, the social media engines began to start up their engines as they recorded, retweeted and reflected upon the ideas being kicked about.
We take wireless at these conference events for granted. In the past they just had to supply rooms and refreshments, now there are many more technological challenges as we move from the stone age into the constantly-networked epoch.
I was impressed with the twitter stream from the front screens and use of hash tags by delegates. Spammers tried to take over our trending statistics but were quickly blocked and reported.
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]]>http://storify.com/rgesthuizen/vitta-2012-conference-1http://storify.com/rgesthuizen/vitta-2012-conference-1Thu, 16 Aug 2012 11:06:54 GMT<![CDATA[The Ultranet July 2012]]>

The Ultranet is a secure Internet portal for students, parents and teachers at State Schools in Victoria. This is a brief summary capturing some of the buzz on social networks about the Ultranet during July 2012, spanning the term break and very start of term 3.

Storified by Roland Gesthuizen · Tue, Aug 07 2012 23:55:44

During the term break, many teachers reflected over the past few months and noted how using a CMS (Content Management System) made life easier for them.
New spaces were created and explored including some to support literacy & numeracy week and collaborative learning.
Bookboxes were being explored
Online tools shared ranged from a flip-classroom webinar to the surface of Mars.
Teachers are still working out ways to access and use it on mobile devices like iPads.
Some identified with it as the most powerful teaching tool they had ever seen.
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]]>http://storify.com/rgesthuizen/the-ultranet-july-2012-2013http://storify.com/rgesthuizen/the-ultranet-july-2012-2013Wed, 08 Aug 2012 06:31:16 GMT<![CDATA[Knox@50 Community Forum]]>

A project to engage the community in conversations to discuss shaping the future of the City of Knox. These posts were aggregated from the posts shared online during a community forum on Saturday 4 August and tries to capture some of the buzz on the day.

Storified by Roland Gesthuizen · Sun, Aug 05 2012 00:33:04

I'll let the Council team summarise and share on any report about the forum on their main website so please explore that if you are curious about the findings. Here is my story of what happened on the day.

Community Forum - Saturday 4 August (10am to 4pm) | Knox50Community Forum - Saturday 4 August (10am to 4pm) | Knox50
Would you like to make a difference in your community? Like to learn more about the changes around us, and share your ideas for the futur...
As the Council turns 50, it has started a series of conversations to help develop a new vision for Council to develop a new strategy about housing and improve connections between Council and the community. Part of this included running a community forum.
At #knox@50 community forum with @knoxcc and thinking about the future if my local city. · plakboek
The Manager Corporate Planning and Performance, Kerryn Ellis kicked off the day with a question..
At #knox@50 community forum with @knoxcc and thinking about the future if my local city. · plakboek
Love the engagement with #knox50 on the big screens and table discussions. A fisheye view: http://pic.twitter.com/Dl043mPx · Roland Gesthuizen
Panorama of the #Knox50 Community Forum, many great and different locals. Looking ahead 50 years with@knoxccPanorama of the #Knox50 Community Forum, many great and different locals. Looking ahead 50 years with@knoxcc
Victoria, Australia, August 4, 2012. Captured by Roland Gesthuizen.
Participants were encouraged to engage with social media and share posts using the #Knox50 hash tag. It was a decision that helped communicate our discussions and thoughts with the wider community and indirectly also helped me to create this story :-)
#Knox50 Loving the live Twitter feed at the community forum, great to see what others are thinking! http://pic.twitter.com/EzY8Hxkb · Kerryn Ellis
Steve Tighe launched right into the forum by getting us to reflect upon change. He drew upon his broad experience as a strategic thinker and network of contacts to reflect upon this as an opportunity to help build our future. I was also impressed by the dedication and support of City of Knox staff who gave up their weekend to help moderate the table discussions.
Chasing Sunrises / Steve Tighe, Business Foresight, Futurist, Speaker, Emerging Trends, Innovation,Chasing Sunrises / Steve Tighe, Business Foresight, Futurist, Speaker, Emerging Trends, Innovation,
Steve Tighe is a leading speaker and business advisor on the future, strategy and innovation. "Steve Tighe is one of those rare presenter...
At #knox@50 community forum with @knoxcc and thinking about the future if my local city. · plakboek
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]]>http://storify.com/rgesthuizen/knox50http://storify.com/rgesthuizen/knox50Sun, 05 Aug 2012 07:30:31 GMT<![CDATA[CS4HS: 2012 Computer Science for High School]]>

CS4HS is an initiative sponsored by Google to promote Computer Science and Computational Thinking in the secondary curriculum. These Melbourne workshops incorporated informational talks by industry leaders, and discussions on new and emerging CS curricula for the high school level.

Storified by Roland Gesthuizen · Sun, Jul 15 2012 23:47:11

Google: Computer Science for High School (CS4HS)Google: Computer Science for High School (CS4HS)
CS4HS (Computer Science for High School) is an initiative sponsored by Google to promote Computer Science and Computational Thinking in...
Computer Science for High School: Computing and Information Systems, University of MelbourneComputer Science for High School: Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne
2011 Workshop Melbourne University, 24-25 November. Organised by Steven Bird and Paula Christophersen (VCAA). Goals: (i) to take stock of...
Day 1 opening by Steven Bird and Paula Christopherson at the Old Engineering building at Melbourne University. The event made very good use of a Google Site page to share the agenda and planning, coordinate the schedule and aggregate ideas. It was good to see some familiar faces from November 2011 and some new ones too.
Great buildings at #Melbourne University @UniMelb such as this Old Engineering building where we held #cs4hs · plakboek
CS4HS VictoriaCS4HS Victoria
Melbourne University Workshop, 11-12 July 2012 Engineering Design Studio 1, Old Engineering BuildingOrganised by Steven Bird (Melbourne),...
At #CS4HS workshop with @stevenbird opening at MelbUni Wide range of different people, great to see. http://pic.twitter.com/jGqN0utV · Roland Gesthuizen
We kicked right off into things, reflecting on the January 2012 Royal Society report that highlighted many negative things happening with ICT in UK education.
Shut down or restart? | Royal SocietyShut down or restart? | Royal Society
We have failed to inspire a generation. #cs4hs Pupils gain nothing beyond basic digital literacy skills when they are only given access a...
From this I could see that we need to move beyond engagement with basic ICT tools and better inspire the next generation of educators if we want to reverse some of the reported declines.
We discussed barriers to overcome overcome teacher training and change including school structures, network hurdles and teacher training.
Throughout the day, we kept on returning to the question of how to best engage and motivate students.
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]]>http://storify.com/rgesthuizen/cs4hs-2012-computer-science-for-high-schoolhttp://storify.com/rgesthuizen/cs4hs-2012-computer-science-for-high-schoolMon, 16 Jul 2012 06:40:10 GMT<![CDATA[Melbourne EarthQuake 19 June 2012]]>

Some notes that I collected #melbearthquake #eqau that Melbourne experienced this evening. I have tried to capture some of the things that happened around the earthquake, some news from my teacher friends, the online buzz and associated humour.

Storified by Roland Gesthuizen · Tue, Aug 28 2012 18:52:51

The day opened to a cloudy morning with fog covering the nearby hills. 
G'morning #Melbourne http://pic.twitter.com/As59o1Zf · Roland Gesthuizen
It was a day of team meetings that ran into the late evening. Marking tests, writing reports and proof reading them. It is what us teachers do to keep our minds sharp and ready for the next term.
We took this task seriously after school tonight, working back late tonight to fine tune our words and feedback · plakboek
Later that evening, we felt our earthquake. I had just come back from picking up the youngest from the Scouts.
Tonight at 8:55 pm a 5.5 earthquake centred on Moe shook us around, our largest in #Melbourne since 1982 · plakboek
Watching the posts stream in from friends around Victoria, I was increasingly curious where the earthquake was felt. In an XKCD moment, the thought crossed my mind that these reports were shared at the speed of light whilst the earthquake was moving outwards at the speed of sound. We raced outside to listen to the noise of the birds in the bush that had woken up.
Tonight at 8:55 pm a 5.5 earthquake centred on Moe shook us around, our largest in #Melbourne since 1982 · plakboek
The local council twitter feed was quick to post an update with an epicentre. We also heard an alert on the radio and ABC Radio National Twitter feed. I had to politely ask the kids to turn down the TV that was loudly playing "Big Bang Theory" for some real science news.
Tonight at 8:55 pm a 5.5 earthquake centred on Moe shook us around, our largest in #Melbourne since 1982 · plakboek
Other government departments shared follow up posts.
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]]>http://storify.com/rgesthuizen/melbourne-earthquake-19-june-2012http://storify.com/rgesthuizen/melbourne-earthquake-19-june-2012Tue, 19 Jun 2012 15:20:05 GMT<![CDATA[The Ultranet June 2012]]>

The Ultranet is a secure Internet portal for students, parents and teachers at State Schools in Victoria. This is a brief summary capturing some of the buzz on social networks about the Ultranet during May 2012 .

Storified by Roland Gesthuizen · Sat, Jul 07 2012 04:45:59

It has been a busy month with teachers just doing their reports. Would be great when we can just report to the parents using the Ultranet and do away with the quarterly paper grind.
The Ultranet was give good mention in the June DEECD Inspire magazine.
Inspire: Issue 5 - June 2012 - Inspire - Department of Education and Early Childhood DevelopmentInspire: Issue 5 - June 2012 - Inspire - Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Inspire: Issue 5 - June 2012
Teachers logged into the Ultranet at school or from home. They logged at the same odd and late hours to set up new learning tasks, do their marking online. Planning, thinking, sharing, teaching and learning. It is what we do.
New design and learning spaces are being created and explored.
Mobile learning is still a buzz with many questions about how to best engage with it as more schools move towards deploying iPad computers.
New issues start to emerge such as BYOD as studnets bring their own mobile learning devices to school, complimenting the powerful devices that they may already have. Teachers are excited about their new Apple computers. Whilst many are promoting the postive benefits of the technology, they are also learning how to engage students with issues such as #eSmart and safety.
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]]>http://storify.com/rgesthuizen/the-ultranet-june-2012http://storify.com/rgesthuizen/the-ultranet-june-2012Sat, 07 Jul 2012 11:43:32 GMT<![CDATA[eSmart Training June 2012]]>

During June 2012 I attended an #eSmart training course. Whilst this aggregates collects some of the posts that I made, I have also added some of the tweets by friends at the #NCAB12 conference that was running at the same time.

Storified by Roland Gesthuizen · Tue, Aug 07 2012 23:01:34

The eSmart program was developed by the Alanna and Madeline foundation to improve student cybersafety and wellbeing. DEECD have also contributed several million dollars to help schools implement this program.
The Alannah and Madeline Foundation: eSmartThe Alannah and Madeline Foundation: eSmart
The world-leading system for cybersafety and wellbeing in schools. eSmart is an easy-to-use, evidence-based and tested system, providing ...
A couple of years ago with my year 8 Science students, I was at the launch of the Budd:e system. Cyberbullying still makes headlines in the newspaper. I was surprised to see this report in the Herald Sun news paper this morning that discussed holding schools and parents increasingly responsible for our children both at school and home.
Schools & Teachers | Stay Smart OnlineSchools & Teachers | Stay Smart Online
The Budd:e cybersecurity education package comprises a series of media-rich and interactive learning activities for Australian schools st...
Whats this? Laws to address bullying, by holding schools responsible ?!? http://pic.twitter.com/GWi0aNQX #eSmart http://pic.twitter.com/rz4BjzMp · Roland Gesthuizen
Our college ICT team was working to become eSmart accredited and we were invited to send two college teachers to an introductory course. Colleagues at other schools have also attended as I have recently followed their posts. This Friday, Robert Barton and I attended an eSmart workshop in Dandenong.
#eSmart training session today with @robvbarton and support kits with good ideas. http://pic.twitter.com/EASR8JI1 · Roland Gesthuizen
It was emphasised early on that the program requires us to first closely examine what we are doing and then carefully listen to our student and parent voices.
Before getting started, I was pleased to follow online an #ncab12 Melbourne Conference presentation by Clare Rafferty from Ringwood SC about an eSmart ambassador program. I made a point to follow this up later as there were oodles of good ideas being tweeted.
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]]>http://storify.com/rgesthuizen/esmart-training-june-2012http://storify.com/rgesthuizen/esmart-training-june-2012Sat, 16 Jun 2012 02:59:44 GMT<![CDATA[Wear Red Rally 7 June 2012]]>

AEU teachers and principals staged a 24-hour statewide strike and rally at Hisense Arena after overwhelming endorsing a campaign of industrial action in pursuit of a new agreement. This report summarises some of my reflections and tweets from this campaign event.

Storified by Roland Gesthuizen · Sun, Jul 22 2012 14:09:32

The #WearRed campaign was started by the AEU amongst widespread interest amongst Victorian teachers. An anonymous ballot indicated that an overwhelming 96% supported industrial action.
Australian Education Union:Australian Education Union:
Subscribe Want to know more about AEU and keep up to speed on current issues?
Our ad in today's Age in support of striking teachers. #wearred #springst http://pic.twitter.com/rZkxEjYQ · IEU VIC TAS
In Hollywood, an abandoned shopping cart heralds a crisis. Teachers #wearred today in #Melbourne http://pic.twitter.com/ACwoSVbB · Roland Gesthuizen
Suggestions that we implement a performance based pay have threatened to divide the spirit of collaboration and sharing amongst teachers.
Many teachers reflected on what they really make, the hours that they really work and and what really motivates them.
There were concerns about cuts to education that are turning back the clock.
Support schools and teachers with atomic learning clocks, not shadowy sundials! #Wearred via @AEUVictoria http://pic.twitter.com/9bfUORBv · Roland Gesthuizen
On the train trip into town, there was some good reading in TheAge and ABC The Drum
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]]>http://storify.com/rgesthuizen/wear-red-rally-7-june-2012http://storify.com/rgesthuizen/wear-red-rally-7-june-2012Fri, 08 Jun 2012 23:35:38 GMT<![CDATA[Venus Transit 6 June 2012]]>

Transits of Venus are amongst the rarest of predictable astronomical phenomena, happening when the planet Venus passes between the Sun and the Earth. This article reflects on my experience of the June 2012 transit from a variety of sources. The next will event will be in the year 2117. Engage!

Storified by Roland Gesthuizen · Thu, Jun 07 2012 01:23:50

Many years ago, Captain James Cook led an 1769 expedition to Tahiti to observe the Venus Transit. It was the 'secret' mission that lead to his exploration of the south pacific for the legendary 'Terra Australis Incognita' or my current home, Australia.
1769 Transit of Venus observed from Tahiti - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia1769 Transit of Venus observed from Tahiti - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
On June 3, 1769, British navigator, Captain James Cook, British astronomer Charles Green and Swedish naturalist Daniel Solander observed ...
Of course Cook's expedition was not the first scientific observation, that prize goes to a select few in 1639. The fleeting transit of Venus has been observed by others since. It is just that for most of us today, this is the last time that we can observe this in our lifetime.
Hehehe! /J RT @mia_out: @museumvictoria and this one RT @jesseberney ICYMI: Amazing photo of Venus in transit! http://pic.twitter.com/lF8ArEYd · Museum Victoria
I was fortunate the stream the last transit in 2004 from Westall Secondary College with my students. Although they have deleted the web page, it is still an event that my past students cherish and skilled us for a following Planetary Society EarthDial project with the NASA Mars mission rovers.
Transit of Venus, 8 June 2004Transit of Venus, 8 June 2004
Updated with new images and links 17/6/04 Y ou couldn't have asked for better weather for the transit. The day before was dominated by th...
The current event has been quietly bubbling along in the media. Over the past few days it exploded across my social media landscape with a flurry of posts, educational links and classroom ideas.
It was an early morning drive to the city to beat the sunrise and traffic. Glad that I had some company in the car and listened to podcasts. My favourite is ABC Radio Doctor Karl, Astronomy Cast and EdTechCrew.
Early morning drive to the city for #VenusTransit workshop at #Melbourne planetarium. http://pic.twitter.com/vo4g7AFO · Roland Gesthuizen
I arrived at the Spotswood Pumping station, home of the Melbourne Museum of Victoria Scienceworks and Melbourne Planetarium. The entrance foyer reminded me about an exciting time as a scout and included the original stellar projector and a replica space suit.
At the #MOV #Melbourne Planetarium for breakfast to watch the #VenusTransit exciting astronomy stuff #ozscied · plakboek
Scienceworks Museum (Melbourne) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaScienceworks Museum (Melbourne) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Scienceworks is a world renowned science museum in Melbourne, Australia. It is a venue of Museum Victoria which administers the cultural ...
We all hung about in the main planetarium foyer, watching the big screen, waiting and anticipating the inevitable moment. Even Gromitt was sighted holding his breath under a suspended space-suit. 
At the #MOV #Melbourne Planetarium for breakfast to watch the #VenusTransit exciting astronomy stuff #ozscied · plakboek
We gathered inside and saw on a big screen, a tiny disk of Venus creeping forwar, across the edge and onto the face of the sun.
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]]>http://storify.com/rgesthuizen/venus-transit-6-june-2012http://storify.com/rgesthuizen/venus-transit-6-june-2012Thu, 07 Jun 2012 08:23:50 GMT