Digital Writing: research
Reading, physically writing and effectively communicating are unarguably important literacy skills that students need to possess when they leave school. While writing with a pen and paper still has a role in society, it is significantly diminished as a result of time spent communicating through digital devices.
Different ways of writing made available through digital technologies, have expanded how and what people write. A person is now able to communicate through a range of media and in different genres, such as writing a cover letter for a job application, or ‘tweeting’ about a job opportunity through social media. Further, the tools people use to write have changed. You can type using a keyboard, or tap out a message on your phone with your thumbs, or you can write on a digital surface using a finger or stylus.
The department's T4L team recently commissioned Associate Professor, Sarah Howard from the Univerity of Wollongong, to produce a literature review on Digital Writing to inform teachers and schools. We are pleased to advise that the review has now been published! Click the image for your copy.
Connect.T4L at Conargo: from satellite to optic fibre
As first reported in the week 3 issue of news.T4L, Conargo Public School was one of three schools recently converted from a satellite link to a new underground fibre connection as part of Connect.T4L. A further six remote schools in NSW will also experience the same major benefit by being moved to a broadband connection by the end of this year. This will bring about learning opportunities that were previously unavailable to students and staff and will also greatly advantage the local communities. Conargo is about 35km north east of Deniliquin in the Riverina. Working closely with the Networks team in ITD, Telstra dug 14km and laid the new fibre optic cable from their nearest junction all the way to the school.
Meg Bryar, the Relieving Principal at Conargo Public School shared this feedback - "The Telstra guys on the ground here were absolutely fantastic!! Communication from them was brilliant, their flexibility and accommodation of the change of location of the box was incredible and above and beyond what I expected. We even made an excursion out of the installation and were given a site tour of the plant machinery and the method of joining the fibre optic cable and were even given a sample piece of cable for our school. They later returned with Telstra caps and mouse pads for the students." - Even the students shared their delight at receiving their new broadband connection!
T4L Rollout ordering
All schools included in the 2018 T4L Rollout will have received the email notification of their allocation and ordering instructions, on Tuesday 14 August. It was sent to the principal's and the School generic mailboxes. Small schools will receive their next allocation in 2019.
The ordering window opens next Monday, 27 August and closes on 7 September. It's important that schools complete their online order form while the window is open, to ensure deliveries can be made during term 4.
It's also important to have a good understanding of each of the devices on offer, many of which are new models. To help schools in making their ordering decisions, our T4L device catalogue has been enhanced by the inclusion of two quick videos. The T4L Innovations and Utilisation team discuss each of the devices and their practical uses and considerations.
The first video covers the desktop computers and monitors on offer - devices you'll install in fixed locations.
The second video covers the various portable or mobile devices available. If you still have questions after watching the videos and going through the catalogue, please contact your local T4L representative or send an email to T4L@det.nsw.edu.au
Getting help for MyPL
If you are having any difficulties using MyPL, you no longer need to get in touch with EDConnect to log service desk requests. MyPL now includes its own support ticket management system which links you directly to the MyPL support team.
Simply choose the new HELPDESK option in the MyPL menu and after signing on with your DoE credentials, you'll launch the new Helpdesk system and can create a new Support Ticket, or even look up the status of previous tickets you have logged using the new service. For more information, contact the MyPL team directly.
The T4L Trailer hits the road to Forster!
Come to Forster and discover what Experience.T4L is all about! We have an Experience.T4L mobile unit currently based in Forster, so why not come and discover what they are all about?
- STEMShare discovery experience
- Meet some of the T4L team in person and get advice
- Find out how your school can borrow an Experience.T4L mobile unit for events, showcases and STEMspiration
We'll be at the Forster Education Office, at 4 Middle St on Tuesday 11 September from 12:30 to 2:30pm.
Places are limited, so please book in to avoid disappointment!
T4L Technology Sandpit
Ever wanted to see or even have a play with the latest ed-tech gear that's available to NSW public schools? Or what about seeing what new gadgets there are from ed-tech vendors? We're getting teachers and vendors together with our own techies from ITD, so why not join us at a great after-school session at ITD's T4L Technology Sandpit!
Come and check out LED Panels, Makerspace kits, new T4L devices and chat with a variety of people who can help your school implement your future ICT plans! If you're near Redfern on September 7, why not drop in?
Central-West schools? HURRY!
You literally have about a day left to book a place at interactED: Dubbo! Thank you to the schools that have already registered to attend this great regional ed-tech conference being held at the Dubbo RSL. It's NESA-registered, there's an amazing agenda of presenters, vendors and ed-tech specialists and the local networking opportunities are not to be missed. And at just $35.00 for a full day of learning with catering included, how can you afford NOT to be there? Register NOW. We don't know when we might be back. It's a big state!
Google Classroom shortcut added to enrolled Chromebooks
Making things easier on enrolled Chromebooks, we've added a new shortcut to Google Classroom! It will appear automatically from August 23.
