Today’s students have unprecedented access to cheap and sophisticated technology. Web 2.0 or the Read/Write Web is becoming an increasing influence on the way students learn and interact with their peers in and out of school. As educators, we too are ever evolving to provide the best possible opportunities for all our students.Online tools, spaces and communities are starting to have more impact across the globe and in our schools. The N.O.W. Conference is a chance for us to begin and extend our conversation around Navigating the Online World and Teaching for the NOW Generation.

About the Conference

The conference runs over three days, from October 7 to October 9 and offers educators the opportunity to participate in online, interactive presentations on a variety of practical ways teachers can incorporate web 2.0 applications and eLearning into their classrooms. These online presentations are followed by two weeks of traditional-style, face-to-face, hands-on workshops at Debney Park SC. All online presentations and hands-on workshops are free and teacher sessions are being offered in the 4-5pm time slot making it easier for them to attend.

Participants are not limited in the number of sessions they may attend and school teams are particularly encouraged to participate.

Many people are not comfortable with the idea of an online, collaborative professional learning activity and are reluctant to take part. It can be very overwhelming; where do I start?, what do I have to do?, what do I need?, who can I ask for help? To help people get started, we have provided access to computer labs in five schools, for the Keynote Presentation on October 7, where participants may go to 'join the conference' in a supported environment. The schools are spread across the region, so there will be a location near to you.

The online conference presentations will be delivered using Elluminate, a live web-conferencing application that enables people to communicate in real time through an internet connected computer. Participants use their own computers to listen, speak to others and participate in activities. For support on how to get started, click here.

The Song Remains the Same Kym Nadebaum

A School Environment for the Future Rob Pyers

Budgeting and Resourcing for eLearning Colin Schot

Google Docs Alf Galea

The Power of the Digital Stories in the Classroom Peter Davis

Around the World NOW Anne Mirtschin

Ten Ways to Stay in Touch Kevin Daly, Rob Crupi and Helen Otway

Think! Share! Learn! Online Thinking Tools Trudy Brentnall

Why Wikis Deb Hicks

Online Learning Communities Martin Mielimaka

ICT Ethics: Accountability, Online & Web 2.0 Tony Richards

Using the technology in your pocket; mobile devices Stephen Palmer

How can Web 2.0 technologies support Teaching and Learning?
How do we support students to work in an online world?
How can teachers and students collaborate online?
What online tools can we use in our classrooms?

Support Centres for Tuesday 7 October

Coburg Senior High School (25 Seats)
Williamstown Primary School (25 Seats)
Caroline Springs Community Library (50 Seats)
Kurunjang Primary School (28 Seats)
Iramoo Primary School (25 Seats)

The conference is presented as a Hybrid Professional Learning Program, offering educators the opportunity to participate in online in Elluminate and face-to-face hands-on follow up workshops.

All hands-on workshops are held at Debney Park Secondary College between 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Go to events page to register in one of the workshop.