Stanthorpe Teachers Upskill

A group of Queensland teachers is proving their dedication towards digital age learning, with the majority agreeing to register for the Smart Classrooms Professional Development Framework.

Understanding the importance of digital pedagogy, the Stanthorpe State High School teachers have either registered for the ICT Certificate or will do so in the coming months.

'The amount of support we have received from our colleagues in response to the initiative is unbelievable,' said English and SOSE teacher Fiona Smedley.

'When the school's ICT steering committee initially invited staff to take part in an online Learning Place course 25 teachers responded immediately.'

'We are hoping that by the end of the year a majority of our teachers will have their certificates.'

Together with fellow Digital Pedagogy Licence holder Ann Mayes, Mrs Smedley is coordinating workshops designed to assist teachers with gaining their ICT Certificates.

Since the workshops started a few months ago 13 teachers have been awarded their certificates, with a further 15 set to begin the process during Term 2.

A quarter of successful recipients are already investigating the second level of the Smart Classrooms Professional Development Framework, the Digital Pedagogy Licence.

'Most teachers know the importance of digital pedagogy but believe the certification process means they have to do more work, said Mrs Smedley.

'In most cases this isn't true and teachers are already implementing ICT into the curriculum.

'It's so automatic that they don't realise what they are doing is special and entitles them to accreditation under the Framework - all it takes is a bit of documentation.'

The school-wide project is also doubling as an effective team-bonding session for Stanthorpe State High School teachers.

'It's very exciting to be doing this as a group; it's a perfect opportunity for our teachers to spend time together, working collegially to gain acknowledgement for their implementation of ICT into their professional practice,' said Mrs Smedley.

'And course participants have a great time'.