Jamaica Teachers’ Association Education Conference 2021 Theme: Reimagining Education: Effective Practices in the Digital Age ‘UNITE AND SERVE’ TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGES MESSAGES From the President...................................................................................................................................... 1 From the Minister of Education, Youth and Information.................................................................. 3 From the Secretary General..................................................................................................................... 4 From the JN Bank........................................................................................................................................ 5 From the Teachers’ Colleges of Jamaica.............................................................................................. 6 From the Deputy Secretary General, Administration, HR & Finance and................................... 8 Chairman, Planning Committee From the Assistant Secretary General Professional Services and................................................ 9 Chairman, Conference Programmes Committee CONFERENCE OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES......................................................................................... 10 PICTORIAL HIGHLIGHTS OF 2019..................................................................................................... 12-14 CONFERENCE PROGRAMME................................................................................................................ 16-20 PROFILE OF PRESENTERS AND ABSTRACTS.................................................................................. 22-28 2021 EDUCATION CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE.................................................................. 29 2021 EDUCATION CONFERENCE PROGRAMMES COMMITTEE......................................................... 29 JTA Education Conference 2021 Theme: Reimagining Education: Effective Practices in the Digital Age MESSAGE President, Jasford Gabriel Welcome colleagues to this our Virtual Education The process starts with a key question: What are Conference! The realities of the global pandemic we trying to achieve, for whom, by when, and to dictates that we must Reimagine Education and what standards? Research has shown that top- incorporate Effective Practices in this Digital Age. performing school systems can vary significantly in curricula, assessments, teacher behaviors, and The theme for the 2021 conference year even desired outcomes. What unites them is a ‘Promoting Digital Transformation and Positive focus on excellence for every child, regardless Values and Attitudes: Imperatives for Redefiningof race, gender, income level, or location. That 21st Century Education’ encapsulates this idea. core value should inform the areas to keep in our Greater use of technology in education today is current systems and where to innovate to create inevitable, however technology will never replace more effective and equitable education for all. a great teacher. In fact, a single teacher can While we should not lose sight of what we change a student’s trajectory. have learned through decades of research and The COVID-19 pandemic has upended school education reform, the COVID-19 pandemic is systems around the world. The pace has been driving educators to accelerate new models of frenetic as systems have had to stand up to learning and innovate beyond the classroom. remote learning overnight, plan whether and how Lockdowns forced students around the world to to reopen schools amid changing epidemiological learn from home, resulting in a dramatic increase in circumstances, and support students academically the use of online tools, such as video conferencing, and emotionally. The scope of the challenge has learning-management platforms, and assessment thus far left little time for deeper reflection. Yet tools. In a month, Google Classroom doubled its crises often create an opportunity for broader number of users and Khan Academy saw a 20- change, and as education systems begin to make fold increase in parent registrations. At the same decisions about investments for the new school time, the pandemic has highlighted and even year, it is important to step back and consider the exacerbated many of the inequities in the school longer-term imperative to create a better system system, from the learning environment at home for every child beyond the pandemic. to access to devices, internet, and high-quality 1 education. There is now heightened political In treating with the massive learning deficit across interest and a sense of urgency to take on the our education system, I suggest diagnostic testing challenge of fixing long-broken delivery models. followed by a group-based mastery approach The Jamaica Teachers’ Association applauds learning model. Technology has made the model this instinct and commends our members for so even more compelling, enabling personalization willingly embracing the new paradigm. at a level that is impossible to achieve in the traditional classroom. Smart adaptive technology Students with high levels of self-motivation, programs can integrate instruction, practice, persistence, and independence have thrived, and feedback to allow students to work at their while others have struggled. Similarly, the own pace, only moving on when they have fully emotional toll of the COVID-19 pandemic has grasped the material. raised awareness of the need to address anxiety, depression, and other mental-health issues as I wish for all of us an enlightening and engaging a precondition to helping students learn. It’s a conference. In the words of Conrad Hall,‘We are reminder that schools need to address the whole always students, never masters. We have to keep child, helping them develop skills and awareness moving forward’. that go beyond what they need simply to find work. Educators play a critical role in helping Let us continue to unite and serve! children learn how to become effective citizens, parents and workers. Jamaica Teachers’ Association ‘UNITE AND SERVE’ Our Vision Our Mission To be the regional bench mark for teacher The Jamaica Teachers’ Association is a membership organizations; setting democratic organization dedicated to standards of excellence in service delivery the professional, financial and social and commitment to National development advancement of its members and the through education promotion of the highest educational standards for the country. 2 JTA Education Conference 2021 Theme: Reimagining Education: Effective Practices in the Digital Age MESSAGE Hon. Fayval Williams, The Minister of Education, Youth and Information (MOEYI) It is a pleasure share in this important occasion in increasing the ability of students to think and to convey best wishes from the Ministry of analytically, empower them to understand and Education, Youth and Information (MOEYI) to the communicate at higher levels to give our nation Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA). the ability to compete effectively in a digitised global marketplace We are confident that this event will create a forum for meaningful discussion that will provide Such critical conversations are important, and educators and policy makers with useful insights should lead to thoughtful actions; reimagining a and recommendation; contributing to the current new way forward for education. dialogue on the way forward for the Jamaican education system. This Minister welcomes our continued partnership to make education digitally relevant and culturally The Ministry which I lead, continues to partner sustainable for the nation’s increasingly diverse with the JTA to enhance the learning outcomes student population for successive generations. of our students while at the same time securing the welfare and well-being of teachers and Let us reimagine together, and take action! administrators in the system. My administration is resolute and committed not This virtual conference brings into sharp focus the only to the process of transforming education, need for all of us to embrace the digital age, not but also to the process of transformationthrough just as a side effect of the COVID pandemic but education. We are confident that through this also as an important facet of the evolution of the symposium we will continue to develop creative education system. A digital approach has given means of realizing our objectives together. We you the ability to reach more of your members wish the JTA and continued success and ask and reminds us of the need to become experts that you be safe, healthy and conscious of the at diverse tools in offering important information awesome mandate thatyou have. to the nation as educators and legislative leaders. May God bless you and I wish for you and the Your focus on: “Reimagining Education: Effective entire organisation a successful conference. Practices In The Digital Age should aid teachers 3 JTA Education Conference 2021 Theme: Reimagining Education: Effective Practices in the Digital Age MESSAGE The Secretary General, Byron Farquharson It is refreshing to observe that the response to Pivoting in these times dictates that we all must the challenges occasioned by the COVID-19 embrace technology. The digital age is now and pandemic as it relates to education is one that whether or not we are out of the pandemic, the demonstrates that we are prepared to adjust and reality is that we must cross the digital divide. For relate to our environment in a very positive way. education