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teaching@home DLTV 7.1 JOURNAL The Journal of Digital Learning and Teaching Victoria V o l u m e 7 | N u m b e r 1 | 2 0 2 0 Journal design and artwork by [email protected] pmgraphics.com.au 03 9486 7113 Contents DLTV Journal EDITORIAL | Clark Burt, Matt Harrison, Pennie White and Roland Gesthuizen 2 The Journal of Digital Learning and Teaching Victoria FROM THE PRESIDENT | Ben Gallagher 3 Editors Roland Gesthuizen Pennie White BITS AND BYTES 5 Associate Editors • Robobus Tour Review | Aaron J Johnson 5 Matthew Harrison Clark Burt • Stepping Up into a Specialist Role | Celeste Pettinella 8 Publisher Digital Learning and Teaching Victoria THE NEW NORMAL: TEACHING AMIDST CORONAVIRUS | Emily Fintelman 10 The DLTV Committee of Management 2019-2020 TEN GOOGLE CLASSROOM TIPS FOR TEACHERS | Rob Kelly 12 Ben Gallagher - President Matt Harrison - Vice President Catherine Newington - Secretary FOUR REMOTE LEARNING TIPS FOR PARENTS | Rob Kelly 13 Clark Burt - Treasurer Roland Gesthuizen Marcus Mulcahy PRESENTING ENGAGING AND CREATIVE ONLINE TEACHING 14 Jo Blannin & LEARNING EXPERIENCES | Tim Kitchen Janene Watt Bernie McGrath Roger Sidhom PANDEMIC SIMULATIONS IN A NUTSHELL | Roland Gesthuizen and Gary Bass 18 Robert Maalouf Ian Fernee Yogeeta Singh MAKING IN THE COMMUNITY | Marcus Mulcahy 21 Claire Andrewartha DESIGNING AN ACCESSIBLE PERIODIC TABLE 24 61 Blyth Street IN MINECRAFT | Stephen Elford Brunswick VIC 3056 Australia Phone: +61 3 9349 3733 Web: www.dltv.vic.edu.au A VISUAL DIARY OF A STEM ADVENTURE IN NEPAL | Aisha Kristiansen 27 Email: [email protected] Twitter: @DLTVictoria Invitation to send contributions to VISUAL DIARY STEM WITH DRONES | Marcus Cook 29 [email protected] ABN 20 211 799 378 Registration Number A0060428T HIDING MESSAGES IN IMAGE FILES: A FUN CONTEXT FOR 31 ALGORITHM DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION | Ziad M Baroudi The Digital Learning and Teaching Journal is published as a resource for all educators engaged in the effective use of information and communication technologies for teaching and AN INSIGHT ON HOW DESIGN PURPOSEFUL TASKS CAN ENGAGE LOW 36 learning. All material in this publication is for education purposes only and is copyright SES STUDENTS TO LEARN A PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE | Paulo Da Silva protected and may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of the editors or authors. Permission may be granted where material is to be used for educational purposes. TRANSFORMING ONLINE TEACHING: 41 Opinions expressed in the publication are those DISRUPTING MY PRACTICE | Gillian Kidman of the authors and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official policy of Digital Learning and Teaching Victoria or the views of the editors. The editors welcome contributions to the bi-annual DEVICE REVIEW | Nathan Alison 43 issues from classroom teachers and other educators in the form of articles, reports of school-based projects and other reviews. The Journal of Digital Learning and Teaching Victoria 1 Volume 7 | Number 1 | 2020 Editorial Clark Burt, Matt Harrison, Pennie White and Roland Gesthuizen. Journal Editorial Team Stay safe. Stay brave. Stay connected. The year 2020 has been unlike anything we have ever We have read articles about how school refusers and those experienced with many teachers, parents and students pushed with disabilities who had historically struggled to engage with out of their comfort zone. After dodging the smoke filled haze learning are now thriving in a remote environment. We of the summer bushfires driven by climate change, we watched implore all educators to consider how we can continue to use together the COVID-19 pandemic sweep across our country, technology to help our disconnected students, technology to slamming closed the doors of our school buildings to mark the virtually connect our classrooms, and technology to improve beginning of our school term in isolation. teacher learning and sharing. This experience could be the It is remarkable that teachers could mobilise quickly to remote catalyst for improved teaching and learning experiences and and flexible teaching online. For those with children at home, it greater inclusion of all students. was an interesting experience to work alongside them. For As we emerge from our homes over the next few months, some it was a familiar journey with new challenges, for others it we can reflect on this experience and use these new was a trial by fire. This transition to online teaching was understandings to improve the educational outcomes for all our unprecedented in both its scope and impact, and there is much students and consider the kind of world we really wish to live in we can learn about what worked, what we missed and what where social justice prevails, students are heard, differences are we gained. catered for, scientists are respected and teachers are celebrated Not only did the shared crisis of the pandemic make us as champions. appreciate the things we usually take for granted such as nurses This issue starts with a similar message from our president and and cleaners, it also highlighted the power of our technology to then provides insights into remote teaching and then classroom keep us connected to our community and support our most DigiTech ideas. basic needs. It reminded us that learning doesn't just happen We welcome your contributions to the DLTV journal and thank inside the world of a building with the word 'school' stamped you for being a part of DLTV. upon it. Best of wishes. Attendance at DLTV webinars skyrocketed as teachers struggled to make sense of what was happening then get on with the job of teaching whilst inspiring others to learn. The experience has helped us to redefine our understanding of education and the essence of schooling. Technology kept our virtual classrooms open and our craft of teaching alive. The Journal of Digital Learning and Teaching Victoria 2 Volume 7 | Number 1 | 2020 From the President Ben Gallagher e have always known that Victorian teachers are Digital Learning and Teaching Victoria has been privileged to resilient, but the past two months have have been able to support our committed educators W demonstrated the extraordinary lengths that our throughout this period. We unfortunately had to postpone our profession is willing to go to ensure that every Victorian child Australian Council for Computers in Education national receives a quality education. Our Digital Learning and Teaching conference in April, but we used this opening to pivot to finding Victoria members and friends have come together to share their new ways to support our teachers. We recognise that at this collective expertise and support our broader communities. This time our primary function is to support our members and the rapid digital transformation born from circumstance has broader Victorian community. Professional Learning Leader highlighted not just the need for technical competencies, but Nathan Alison and our manager Kevin Daly have facilitated an more importantly the need for collegial connection. Many impressive series of webinars which have been scheduled for educators have developed innovative resources to engage their the rest of Term 2 and into Term 3. These webinars have again learners, volunteered their 'free' time to upskill their colleagues, brought to attention the wonderful breath of expertise within and spent hours on the phone reassuring tired and concerned our membership, with topics ranging from how to a range of parents. online tools, to ensuring that students with disabilities and differences are able to access remote learning experiences. Despite the success of this rapid transition serious challenges Kevin and Nathan like many of us have found that working remain. Equitable access to online learning environments, from home is no easy task, but I want to acknowledge their particularly the issue of poor quality Internet access in our momentous efforts in leading these webinars. regional and rural areas, is a complex issue that our school communities have had to overcome. The illusive 'work-life' Finally we wish to acknowledge that some of our membership balance has become even more tenuous, as teachers working at has been personally impacted by COVID-19, which has home potentially had to support others. We have also heard presented numerous health and economic challenges to many from many of our members who have invested their own individuals. You are in our thoughts. We are committed to resources in order to ensure that their students receive a quality supporting every single member of our community, so please learning experience. This further speaks to the dedication of our let us know if there is something we can do to make this period members to a quality education for all. easier for you and your students. The Journal of Digital Learning and Teaching Victoria 3 Volume 7 | Number 1 | 2020 COMPELLING REASONS TO 10JOIN DLTV The opportunity to attend our premier Receive support and resources for your 1 DigiCon annual conference at a discounted 6 in-house professional learning and member rate. curriculum days. Find new opportunities, teaching ideas and You will receive our high quality member 2 special offers through our informative 7 journal delivered to you digitally. fortnightly newsletter. Access our expertly designed VCE We provide access to experts in planning 3 resources kits and targeted VCE workshops. 8 and implementing the Victorian and Australian Digital Technologies curriculums across all subject areas. Join our online Community of Practice, 4 share your