QSITE State Conference is an annual QSITE event that connects and supports educators, institutions and their stakeholders so they may fully explore the opportunities Digital Technologies bring to education and classrooms every day.
CreativITy 2024 – Navigating the Curriculum Program – Day One
CreativITy 2024 – Navigating the Curriculum
QSITE State Conference 2024 Program – Day 1
16th and 17th September 2024
Registration from 7.30 am for an 8.30 am start
With thanks to the following sponsors
Day 1 – Mon 16 Sep 2024
8:00 – 8:30
Registration and Coffee
Trinity Centre Foyer
8:40 – 8:55
Acknowledgement of Country, Conference Welcome and Housekeeping
Trinity Centre Auditorium
9:00 – 9:40
Keynote – Melanie Hughes – ACARA
Where to from here? – Technologies, AI and the Australian Curriculum
AI is an accepted and ever-present emerging technology that is continuing to shape our daily lives, schools and careers. As such it is becoming increasingly obvious that an underpinning knowledge of what AI is and how it works is crucial for all of us, especially those of us connected with education. Knowledge about AI and the skills to effectively use and evaluate AI tools, systems and outputs may be the difference between those who are able to take control of their futures and make a positive impact on the world and those who cannot. The Australian Curriculum Version 9.0 provides a foundation for our students to do just that, including becoming responsible, ethical designers and users of AI systems exploring the relationship of AI to other learning areas and being ready for what comes next.
Bio: Melanie Hughes, Curriculum Specialist, Technologies, Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) is responsible for the Australian Curriculum: Technologies and the General Capability: Digital Literacy. Melanie is an experienced teacher who has worked in Primary and Secondary classrooms and on cross sectoral technologies projects. Melanie has been a board member of the Information and Communication Technologies Educators Association of NSW (ICTENSW) and a Senior Project Officer for ACARA’s Digital Technologies in Focus (DTiF) project. During her career Melanie has been a classroom teacher, curriculum leader, technologies integration specialist, Education Consultant: Technologies, K-12/STEM for The Association of Independent Schools NSW and a Senior Education Specialist: Technologies/ STEM with the Australian Academy of Science.
Trinity Centre Auditorium
9:45 – 10:25
Keynote – Brett Salakas – HP Education Ambassador
“An AI Odyssey – Navigating the Future of Education”
Embark on a captivating journey with Brett Salakas, the HP Education Ambassador for Australia and New Zealand and the 2024 Most Influential Educator in Australia, as he explores the transformative landscape of Artificial Intelligence in education through the lens of Homer’s epic, The Odyssey.
In this engaging keynote, Brett intertwines the timeless narrative of Odysseus with the modern voyage educators undertake in integrating AI into leadership and strategic practice. Discover the metaphorical “storms” that can blow your initiatives off course, identify the “monsters” and pitfalls to avoid, and learn about the “compass points” that will guide you towards successful and meaningful AI integration.
Brett will also showcase a selection of practical AI tools and applications designed to empower school leaders and aspiring leaders, enhancing decision-making, administrative efficiency, and educational outcomes. Join this insightful session to equip yourself with the knowledge and strategies needed to confidently steer your school community through the evolving seas of AI technology.
Bio: Brett Salakas, the HP Education Ambassador, is an international keynote speaker, the best-selling author of ‘A MAMMOTH Lesson’, the founder of #aussieED (the largest online network of teachers in Australia) and the co-founder of the ED Poets Society. Currently, he is identified by Linkedin as a TOP VOICE (top 1% worldwide) in K-12 Education. Brett was awarded with the NSWICTE and ISTE ‘Making ‘IT’ Happen award in 2024, was recently identified by the District Administration Leadership Institute as one of the top 100 most influential leaders in education globally (the only Australian named on the list) and he was named the Most Influential Educator in Australia for 2024 by The Educator magazine. 
Brett is a teacher and experienced school leader who, over the past 26 years, has taught in South East Asia and Australia. He is passionately committed to turning educational theory into real classroom practice. Brett is all about CONNECTION, COLLABORATION and INSPIRATION.
Trinity Centre Auditorium
10:30 – 11:00
Morning Tea & Trade Show
Make sure you visit the exhibitors and discover their products and resources and get your passport signed off for the prize draw at the end of Tuesday.
Trinity Centre Foyer
11:00am – 12:00pm
GG Engage – Setting up your esports program for success
Callum Simmons (Ripley Valley SSC), Lexie Scholz (Bellbird Park SSC), MJ Raatz and Matt Scholz (Forest Lake SHS)
In this session, you’ll get a snapshot of the esports programs at Forest Lake SHS, Ripley Valley SSC, and Bellbird Park SSC, and see how they engage students in fully offline environment. Forest Lake SHS and Ripley Valley SSC will share insights into their programs and how they got started and offer practical tips for setting up esports spaces discussing budget and HR challenges. We’ll also cover cybersafety and the eSafety Commission, focusing on offline network setups to keep student safety a top priority. Bellbird Park SSC, new to esports this year, will discuss their program development process. Additionally, we’ll explore AI tools for creating interactive learning environments and discuss strategies for making assessments more inclusive across subjects. Join us to find out how to get students engaged. #MakingKidsLivesBetter
Room : T07
11:00 – 12:30
Engaging Primary Learners with iPad – 1.5 hr
Rachel Minns (Educator)
Digital tools, such as iPad, are a powerful resource to have in our classrooms. They enhance Digital Literacy skills while enabling students to create, communicate, and collaborate effectively using technology. This hands-on workshop experience will explore how iPad can boost student engagement and encourage creative, purposeful and collaborative learning for Prep to Year 6 students across the curriculum. Participants will leave with skills and resources they can use with their students the very next day.
Participants requirements: Please bring your own iPad (note: a small bank of iPads will be available to borrow during the session), updated to the latest IOS with the following apps installed: Keynote, Clips, Pages.
Bio: Rachel Minns is an innovative early years teacher, passionate about integrating purposeful and age-appropriate use of technology in the classroom. As an Apple Professional Learning Specialist, Rachel works with educators to amplify children’s voice and agency through technology, sparking wonder and creativity in our young learners.
Room : T08
11:00 – 12:00
Intro to Game Development with Unity
Pablo Farias (Founder and CEO of Zenva) and Daniel Buckley (Certified game developer and technical trainer)
Discover how video games are made, and why this is a must-have skill for educators and students.
You’ll learn the basics of creating games with Unity, the tool used to make more than 50% of all games, including:
* How transferable skills are developed through game creation
* Getting started with the Unity engine (no coding experience required)
* The building blocks of a simple game
* Unity in educational contexts
Bio: Pablo Farias Founder and CEO of Zenva – a leading education platform that helps schools and individuals upskill in coding, game creation and digital skills. Pablo holds a Master in IT Management from the University of Queensland, and is a certified Unity Instructor and Unity Programmer.
Bio: Daniel Buckley Certified game developer and technical trainer. Throughout his career, Daniel has authored over 100 online courses and educational games that teach programming, game development and immersive technologies for both adult and young learners. Daniel holds a Bachelor of Games Development at SAE University College.
Room : T09
11:00 – 12:00
Exploring the impact of AI on education and developing future-focused school AI policy
Dr Jason Zagami (Senior Lecturer, School of Education and Professional Studies, Griffith University)
This is the first in a three-part workshop to equip schools with the necessary knowledge and tools to implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in their teaching and learning environments. By bringing together insights from academia, industry professionals, and experienced teachers, the workshop aims to offer a comprehensive overview of how AI can be integrated into educational settings.
This session explores AI’s impact and potential on education. You will then create an AI education framework for your school. Participants attending all three sessions will receive giveaways from Google, including gift vouchers.
Bio: Dr Jason Zagami is a senior lecturer in the School of Education and Professional Studies of Griffith University on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia where he teaches and conducts research on:
Innovations in educational technologies with a focus on the identification of emerging trends, educational gaming (including VR, AR and VWs), student co-creation of secondary worlds, AI applications in teaching, and neural/cognitive activity measurement; and Computer Science Education (K12) with a focus on curriculum implementation approaches involving higher-order thinking skill development, concept development through visualisation and manipulation (including visual programming), concept development through the use of manipulatives (Robotics, Drones and IoT), and challenges for female participation in Computer Science education.
Jason has many years of experience in K-12 computer education and tertiary teacher education; has been the recipient of an Outstanding National Achievement by a Teacher and Queensland Computer Educator of the Year awards. He is an Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Certified Innovator, and has been a member of the ACS ICT Educators board, president of the Australian Council for Computers in Education (ACCE), president of the Queensland Society for Information Technology in Education (QSITE), editor of the Australian Educational Computing (AEC) journal, and president of the Australian College of Educators (Gold Coast region).
Room: T10
12:00 – 1:00
Student Agency and Wellbeing: The Creative Classroom: – Adobe Express, Adobe Podcast and Generative AI
MJ Raatz and Matt Scholz (Forest Lake SHS), Lexie Scholz (Bellbird Park SSC), Callum Simmons (Bellbird Park SSC)
Students benefit most when they learn in their preferred style, a fact supported by research. Attend this session to discover practical strategies for enhancing student engagement and motivation using Adobe Express and Generative AI tools. These tools not only make teacher planning more efficient but also increase student engagement and wellbeing. The session will cover formative feedback and innovative uses of AI to expand students’ thinking and creativity. We will touch on Metacognition and fun ways to get the kids thinking about their thinking! #MakingKidsLivesBetter
Room: T07
12:00 – 1:00
Illuminating Digital Technologies
Dr Ben Long (Teacher, Digital Technologies and Mathematics)
In this workshop you will learn how to code a sound and light show using the Zip Halo and BBC micro:bit.
The micro:bit is a circuit board commonly used in primary and secondary education, enabling students to code light and sound in response to a variety of inputs. The Zip Halo is an engaging addition to the micro:bit, enabling students to experiment with a larger range of colours and applications.
In this workshop, you will learn how to code the Zip Halo and micro:bit, how it relates to the Australian Curriculum (Version 9.0), and how it can be differentiated for diverse learners and year levels (primary and secondary).
Participant requirements: Laptop
Bio: Dr Ben Long is a teacher of digital technologies and mathematics with a background in cybersecurity research. With a passion for making digital technologies more engaging and accessible to students, Ben aims to empower students with the knowledge and skills to excel in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Outside the classroom, Ben is a CBCA award-winning author of children’s picture books and a long-standing member of the QPAC Chamber Choir.
Room: T09
12:00 – 1:00
Exploring industry use of AI and developing AI career maps for students
Matthew Jorgensen (Education Pathways and Partnerships Manager, Australian Computer Society)
This is the second in a three-part workshop designed to equip schools with the necessary knowledge and tools to implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in their teaching and learning environments. By bringing together insights from academia, industry professionals, and experienced teachers, the workshop aims to offer a comprehensive overview of how AI can be integrated into educational settings.
This session explores the use of AI in industry, presented by industry experts from the Australian Computer Society. You will then create an AI career map for your students. Participants attending all three sessions will receive giveaways from Google, including gift vouchers.
Bio: Matthew Jorgensen is the Education Pathways and Partnerships Manager at the Australian Computer Society, where he has project managed several programs that have promoted tech careers, developed school-based traineeships pathways, delivered training for teachers, and organised student experiences alongside many tech industry leaders. He has a background in the classroom and tech industry. He has taught in a 20-student school in Central Queensland, on the island of Nauru and in independent schools. In 1995 at John Paul College, he started teaching students with laptops and progressed through to Director of eLearning at Saint Stephen’s College. Along the way he was accepted into the first intake of Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts and was one of the first three Australian Microsoft Teacher Ambassadors.
Room: T10
12:30 – 1:00
IG3 Maths and English Literacy Intervention Systems – The perfect tool to prepare for NAPLAN
Angi King (IG3 Education)
The IG3 Maths (K-8) and English Literacy (K-10) Intervention Systems are designed to pinpoint the proficiency level of individual students and address their specific needs, effectively addressing for example areas highlighted by the 2024 NAPLAN results.
By leveraging AI, these systems provide individualised learning experiences that cater to diverse learning styles, ensuring that every student can engage effectively. The multi-dimensional assessments pinpoint precise learning gaps and guide students back to grade-level proficiency, while personalised learning plans support both remedial and gifted students.
With self-paced learning options and real-time progress monitoring coupled with intervention timeframe projections, educators can track student activity and make informed decisions to enhance learning outcomes. These features make the IG3 Intervention systems the perfect tools to prepare students for NAPLAN and beyond.
Room: T08
1:00 – 1:40
Lunch & Trade Show
Day 1 Conference Fun: Data#3 and our awesome Forest Lake SHS Program of Excellence Students will be organising, managing, and casting the Bathurst ‘Hot Lap’ offline competition.
Gear up, mates, and hit the track to live your Bathurst dream! Swing by our stand and challenge your workmates to the ultimate test of wheels. Compete for bonza prizes like Most Improved Racer, King of the Lap Times, and Top Attitude to a Stack! More info at our booth—be there or be square!
Trinity Centre Foyer
1:45 – 2:45
HP Device Update
Data#3
Learn about the latest devices from HP, approved and available to you on the QED agreement.
Free, cool stuff will be given away.
Room: T07
1:45 – 2:45
Create, Code, Innovate (with Lego Spike)
Libby Moore (Director, Moore Educational)
Build confident coders with the LEGO Education SPIKE ™ portfolio, a complete solution for implementing a strong robotics program in Primary and Secondary school. Explore how students from early to middle years are engaged in a progressive STEAM learning approach. The ACARA aligned lessons and challenges encourage students to think critically and collaborate to create simple to complex robotic solutions with real world relevance. The ability to think critically and creatively, as well as solve problems is necessary to prepare our students for a rapidly evolving future. When a student can relate a concept to their own lives, they are more likely to be motivated to learn about it, and more likely to retain the knowledge. When teachers create classroom learning environments in which all students are engaged, challenged, feel safe to take risks, learning is optimal. The teaching resources ensure teachers are implementing teaching methods that are effective in STEAM learning and help to develop students STEM skills today to be the innovators of tomorrow.
Participant requirements: Laptop / iPad with SPIKE App installed
Bio: Libby Moore was a teacher for 15 years before establishing Moore Educational to continue her passion for STEM learning. As a partner of LEGO Education for over 25 years, Libby is the director of Moore Educational, engaging students and teachers in STEM learning experiences that combine LEGO Education resources, relevant digital technologies and curriculum.
Room: T08
1:45 – 3:45
Playing with PHP – 2hrs
Richard Kelly (Teacher, IPT and Digital Solutions)
Digital Solutions IA2 and IA3 can be completed in a number of ways using a variety of programming languages. This workshop work through the skills students and teachers would need to do IA2 and IA3 in the web applications context using PHP and MySQL. Participants will code a web based component of a digital solution in PHP that connects to a MySQL database to retrieve and insert data, and another web based component that connects to an online API returning JSON and XML to programmatically transform data from one form into another. No prior knowledge of PHP and MySQL is required but a basic understanding of the syntax of C-family programming languages and simple HTML would be advantageous. This 2 hour workshop will be in two parts. You can attend the first hour for PHP with MySQL, the second hour for PHP with APIs, or both.
Participant requirements: Laptop with internet
Bio: Richard Kelly has been teaching IPT and Digital Solutions for more than 20 years in Education Queensland schools. He is Head of Department Digital Technologies, Aviation and eLearning at Toowoomba State High School and the QSITE Toowoomba chapter chair. Richard has a passion for coding and has used PHP and MySQL with his students for almost 20 years. He authored the website Digital Solutions Online (previously known as IPT Online). Richard won the QSITE Emerging Leader of the Year award in 2007 and the Outstanding Leader of the Year award in 2019.
Room: T09
1:45 – 2:45
Exploring school uses of AI and developing an AI implementation for your school or classroom
Sharon Singh (Head of e-Learning and Innovation, St John’s Anglican College)
This is the final part of a three-part workshop designed to equip schools with the necessary knowledge and tools to implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in their teaching and learning environments. By bringing together insights from academia, industry professionals, and experienced teachers, the workshop aims to offer a comprehensive overview of how AI can be integrated into educational settings. This session explores how teachers are using AI in schools and the application of AI in education. You will then create an AI implementation plan for their school. Participants attending all three sessions will receive giveaways from Google, including gift vouchers.
Bio: Sharon Singh is the Head of e-Learning and Innovation at St John’s Anglican College, Australia.
A leading international educator in Computer Science and IT for over 30 years, she has worked in multiple countries. Her expertise in curriculum includes the International Baccalaureate (IB) DP, MYP, and PYP; North American Advanced Placement (AP); Cambridge IGCSE; and the Australian Curriculum. With her passion for innovation, Sharon proactively provides thought leadership and commentary on e-Learning, technology education, IT and computer science for educators globally.
Sharon is the Australian Computer Society (ACS) representative to the International Federation of Information Processing Technical Committee 3 (IFIP TC3) Education and the Secretary to IFIP TC3 Executive Committee; a member of the ACS QLD Branch Executive Committee, ACS Members Advisory Board (MAB), Technical Advisory Board (TAB) IFIP Rep, the QSITE board; the chair of the ACS ICT Educators Committee; a CSIRO STEM professional; a member of the Pacific Online Christian School Advisory Committee, and a member of the QUT IT Industry Advisory Group.
She is Fellow of the Australian Computer Society; and a recipient of multiple awards including a 2021 Peter Doherty Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education award; a 2021 finalist for the Queensland College of Teachers TEACHX Innovation in Teaching Award, a 2019 ACS Gold Disruptor award for ICT Educator of the Year; and a gold medallist of the University of the South Pacific (USP). Sharon is a Queensland Justice of Peace (Qualified) and an international faculty for Haggai International.
Room: T10
2:45 – 3:45
FREE is my Second Favourite ‘F’ Word
Brett Salakas (HP Education Ambassador)
Channelling the no-nonsense energy of Roy Kent from Ted Lasso, this workshop is all about empowering teachers with AI tools that are not only powerful but also completely FREE.This session will showcase a range of cutting-edge tools that you can start using in your classroom right away. The stars of the session will be a suite of Adobe products, including the new Adobe Podcast, Enhanced Speech, and Voice Animate, perfect for bringing creativity and innovation to your lessons. Alongside these, you’ll be introduced to a variety of other free resources (like Snorkl and more) all designed to enhance your teaching practice without breaking the bank.Join this lively and interactive workshop to walk away with a toolkit of free AI resources that will make a real difference in your classroom, delivered with a bit of Roy Kent’s trademark wit and wisdom.
Bio: Brett Salakas, the HP Education Ambassador, is an international keynote speaker, the best-selling author of ‘A MAMMOTH Lesson’, the founder of #aussieED (the largest online network of teachers in Australia) and the co-founder of the ED Poets Society. Currently, he is identified by Linkedin as a TOP VOICE (top 1% worldwide) in K-12 Education. Brett was awarded with the NSWICTE and ISTE ‘Making ‘IT’ Happen award in 2024, was recently identified by the District Administration Leadership Institute as one of the top 100 most influential leaders in education globally (the only Australian named on the list) and he was named the Most Influential Educator in Australia for 2024 by The Educator magazine.
Brett is a teacher and experienced school leader who, over the past 26 years, has taught in South East Asia and Australia. He is passionately committed to turning educational theory into real classroom practice. Brett is all about CONNECTION, COLLABORATION and INSPIRATION.
Room: T07
2:45 – 3:45
Developing Digital Literacy in the Primary Years
Rebecca Davies (Founder of The Digital Parent)
This presentation will outline how teachers can support the growth of children’s digital literacy from the early years through to Year 6. We will explore how students’ age and stage impacts their digital literacy development and how teachers can support this vital skill within an already crowded curriculum. We will look at a variety of techniques and activities that you can take into your classroom ready for next term.
Participant requirements: N/A
Bio: Rebecca Davies is an experienced EdTech teacher and leader, and the founder of The Digital Parent. She is an Apple Distinguished Educator and was nominated for the TeachX Excellent in Teaching Awards. Rebecca is passionate about improving the digital literacy of children and their families, and improving the retention of girls and women within technology spaces.
Room: T08
2:45 – 3:45
Gen-AI & Education: Global & Industry Trends, Future of Education with AI Tools
Rashan Senanayake (Founder and CEO, Inspired Education Australia)
In 2024, Gen-AI represents a transformative force reshaping the very fabric of industry practice and education pedagogy. Attend and understand the global trends, industry requirements, tools and the profoundly significant shifts in curriculum development facing us in today’s classroom. Gen-AI challenges us to reconsider the skills and competencies required of future practitioners alongside the looming ethical considerations required within the discourse of technology education. Let us take on this opportunity to reimagine design education, paving a path towards a more inclusive, innovative, and ethically-driven classroom. Join this information packed session delivered by Rashan Senanayake (www.rashansenanayake.com) from Inspired Education Australia (www.i-edu.com.au), leading professional development for teachers in Design Thinking and emerging technologies (AI / VR / AR / Software and more.)
Participant requirements: Bring a device for notetaking
Bio: Rashan Senanayake is inspiring innovation & emerging technologies around Australia as the founder and CEO of Australia’s leading professional development for 21st century education & industry: Inspired Education Australia. Rashan has a strong reputation for his entrepreneurial thinking and leading a variety of projects & ventures in a wide variety of fields and industries. He is currently a published author, an award winning international speaker who has delivered widely received content to universities internationally as well as many conference seminars, keynotes, lectures and much more. He has been featured on a variety of podcast shows as well as been published in various design journals and academic papers in Australia. Rashan’s podcast ‘Inspiring Design’ is continually a top 200 education podcast globally, as well as being used as the no. 1 design and technology education resource for schools around Australia since 2021. In addition to this, Rashan is also an academic delivering tutorials and lectures in Design, Design Thinking and Technology at QUT. He is also an Associate Fellow recognised by the High Education Academy, Global Shaper for the World Economic Forum (WEF), part of the United Nation’s Association of Australia (UNAA)- Queensland Chapter and was the youngest board member of the Australian Green Development Forum (AGDF) previously.
Room: T10
3:45
Digital Technologies Education in Australian Schools
Sharon Singh (Head of e-Learning and Innovation, St John’s Anglican College)
Digital Technologies National Survey Report Presentation – ACS ICTEC
As part of its advocacy program, the Australian Computer Society (ACS) ICT Educators Committee conducts a regular survey of Australian teachers of digital technology, or teachers building digital capability with students in all sectors of Australian schools (government, Catholic and independent). ACS uses the information to inform policy development which is then used to advocate for changes to Australian curricula relating to digital technology and/or for increased or new types of support for teachers in this domain. The 2023 survey is the second in this series of surveys.
To address the challenges confronted by teachers delivering the Australian Digital Technologies Curriculum (DTC), Australia should aim to boost student engagement by supporting teacher training, lesson planning resources, and raising awareness of its value among the broader community. The recommended actions in this report address four key areas that need immediate attention so Australia can realise the full potential of the DTC.
These actions respond to the challenges raised by teachers in the ACS’s 2023 survey and by sector experts, such as the support that is needed now to improve teaching quality and capability, and confidence in Digital Technologies education.
Bio: Sharon is the Australian Computer Society (ACS) representative to the International Federation of Information Processing Technical Committee 3 (IFIP TC3) Education and the Secretary to IFIP TC3 Executive Committee; a member of the ACS QLD Branch Executive Committee, ACS Members Advisory Board (MAB), Technical Advisory Board (TAB) IFIP Rep, the QSITE board; the chair of the ACS ICT Educators Committee; a CSIRO STEM professional; a member of the Pacific Online Christian School Advisory Committee, and a member of the QUT IT Industry Advisory Group.