Category: For Teachers

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The future of education is exciting and better, particularly for STEM teachers

  • A Brilliant Breakthrough

  • Back to the Future

  • The Future for STEM Education

  • How to Prepare for the Future Now

As educators we are at the start of the AI road. We are learning to delegate the teaching of data to large language models.

Digital twins technology is an example of an AI teaching tool that seems to personalise the learning experience. It can map a students’ actual learning style against an ideal model. It then creates a personalised learning program that will help the student to learn most effectively.

See Education Next.

It’s brilliant. A breakthrough.

AI will help us to create individualize teaching of data to a class of 30 students. Students will be able to learn using their bespoke programs on their devices with little support from a teacher, once the personalised program is set up. 

  • AI can also teach relationship between scientific facts. Hydrogen + Oxygen = Water.

  • It can help us to plan. We can plan how to teach a student with learning difficulties more effectively?

  • It can help us to prepare. I heard Tess Magden, captain of The Opal’s basketball team, saying that every team member has a personalised AI created training program.

AI creates opportunities to make teaching better.

Back to the future

We are already stuck to our screens. We text rather than talk to people. Kids no longer break their arms while playing, because they are inside playing computer games. Friendly bots are becoming our imaginary friends replacing the need for human interaction.

As our non-digital world narrows there will be increasing need for educators to consciously and deliberately teach people to engage with and solve problems with other people. Learning activities will become places for engaging with data to collaboratively generate constructive solutions, while developing mental health, community connections and peer relationships.

Educators will engage with warm data that captures relationships between systems and the consequences of decisions. A lot of data learning will be done by AI.

The future for STEM education

Teachers of STEM will have the greatest opportunities through adopting AI.

There is a lot of data to learn in STEM subjects. Using a program like digital twins to teach the periodic table and multiplication tables will release teachers from the tedium of rote teaching. 

Learning to apply facts will become the more joyful role of the science teacher.

Learning to think about the application of facts will be the most challenging part of STEM teaching.

Making wise decisions about the application of STEM facts requires human capital.

  • So many people don’t believe that climate change is real. People don’t know who to trust and they ignore the scientific evidence delivered by experts. How do we teach people who and what to trust in a world of malicious influencers?

  • Tech giants want to deregulate copyright laws so that AI can use artistic works. Should we steal intellectual property and make a profit from it, just because we can?

  • DNA results collected by bankrupt firm 23andMe have been sold. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals now owns the data. What should they do with it?

  • What considerations were included in the architectural decision NOT include a coffee shop in the new City ECU building.

Introducing holistic thinking, wise decision making and the capacity to stand up for what is best for the greatest number of people, will become an increasing challenge for STEM teachers. 

How to Prepare for the Future Now

Warm data is the best discipline I know to understand the relational processes between and among systems. Its creator, Nora Bateson is a genius. There are occasional Warm Data labs in Perth.

David Snowden is another systems person worth exploring. He created the Cynefin Framework which provides a description of peoples and cultures with their customs, habits and mutual differences. 

Both Bateson and Snowden are tackling how to deliver holistic approaches to understanding. Twenty years ago, my lotto dream was to go to Wales and do Snowdon’s course. Now that I have learned about Warm Data, I like it better. 

Snowdon and Bateson can be seen on webinars together. They have minds like planets. You can trust them as a good source of thinking when you start to consider teaching in the age of Artificial Intelligence. 

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Dreams come in a whisper, not in a shout. Career Influence Model for Career Advisors

Stephen Spielberg made his first feature move at 16, yet even he advised to listen for a whisper rather than wait for your dream to shout to you. You would expect the creator of the BFG, Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park to know he wanted to be a movie maker.

Perhaps even Speilberg had doubts about his career choice, or wondered if there was something better for him. 

Charles Kingley said: 

It is tricky to find a job you are enthusiastic about. Those jobs don’t shout out to you. 

As career professionals it is our role to help people to:

  1. Become Aware of opportunities for enthusiasm
  2. Explore career pathways to happiness
  3. Help them to engage in work they find interesting
  4. Repeat 1 – 3 until they find something to become enthusiastic about. 

Using the Model

When working with people, ask them where they want to start on this career model: 

  • Are they looking for something totally new?
  • Do they know what they want, but not know how to get there?
  • Are they interested in their work but want to refine their target for the future?

Download this copy of the Career Influence Model to use with your clients

Download HERE. 

Download copy with Speech Bubbles HERE. 

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Want to become a teacher? ECU Teacher Education School to Split Between Joondalup and New Perth Campus

Mount Lawley ECU Campus is to close at the end of this year.

Some faculties, like Business, IT and Creative Industries, which includes WAAPA, are moving to the new ECU campus being built next to Perth train station. 

The Teacher Education School is to be split across both Joondalup and the city campus. 

Bachelor of Education Early Childhood Studies

This degree will be available at Joondalup, South West and online in 2025. 

Bachelor of Education Primary

This course is available at Mt Lawley, Joondalup, South West and online in 2025.

Bachelor of Education Secondary

In 2025 this course is available at Mt Lawley and Joondalup. It will be split in 2026 depending on what you major in. 

Majors you can study in this course

Students may be required to attend both Joondalup and Mount Lawley campuses depending on their selected major and minor combination.

I’m Sad to See Mt Lawley Close

ECU evolved out of Claremont Teachers’ College which opened in 1902. Half of my family did their teacher education at Claremont Teachers’ College or at ECU in Mt Lawley.  

Claremont Teachers’ College. Picture from SIDE

In 1982 Claremont Teachers’ College merged with other providers of teacher education across WA and then evolved into ECU which has been a centre of excellence for teacher education in WA. It is still be biggest provider of teacher education in WA.

I hope it manages to maintain its reputation as a great provider of teacher education through the transition. 

To find out more about the move go to the ECU Handbook 

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Bev doing research for 2025
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Out Now – In Focus Careers News for West Australian Students: February 2025 Issue

The first issue of In Focus Careers News is now available.

By subscribing you also get a copy of: 
Year 10 Magic Happens Careers Handbook for Students

Year 10 Magic Happens Teachers’ Guide

16 Mind Maps for Career Advisors

In Focus Careers News is unique. It is the only publication that provides news about emerging career opportunities in Western Australia. 

Subscribe Now

Be on top of all the information you need to be an outstanding career advisor.

Bev doing research for careers in hospitality and tourism in 2025

 

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Did Term 4 go on FOREVER? See this mindmap of potential support services for 2025

So many teachers showed symptoms of  burnout towards the end of 2024 that it shouldn’t be ignored. 

I found one explanation  published in The Conversation.  

  • The need to support students who are experiencing trauma or stress is at least one factor wearing teachers out.

  • The need to ensure the safety of students can isolate schools and prevent them accessing specialist services for students that free up teachers to teach. 

Formal arrangements, with stakeholders who meet government safety requirements, can provide expert advice and free up teachers for the already complex task of educating.

I found these services that can engage with schools to deliver services in addition to teaching

The Coggle Mentor and Support Services Map provides links to potential support services to West Australian schools. 

In Focus Careers News- Supports Students to find a career that makes their life better

 

 

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Inspiration from Dave Grohl

Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters is a lovely guy and an inspiration for us mere mortals who have trouble hearing our dreams.

At 17 he was clear about his dream, so he went ahead and overcame his fears and manifested what he dreamt of.

Be inspireed as you listen to him talk about how he lives his life to achieve his dreams HERE.

Dave Grohl on his GOLDEN RULE

That brings us to the tricky problem.

Not many people are like Dave Grohl. He is remarkable. It is easy to see that he loved music and fun and adventure.

How do you hear your dream? 

Dreams don’t shout “HERE I AM!!”.

Most of us look back at the end of the year and see that we have managed to do a lot of the things we love, so we are getting at least part of our story right. That sort of looking back, helps us to see what we want to do in the future. 

There are lots of games you can play that help you to reflect and clarify what you like, so that you can focus on the things that give you pleasure. After doing some of these quizzes you are sure to see that you are getting a lot of your story right.  Your results may help you to focus more on doing the things you love. 

We all want to be like Dave Grohl and be remarkable. If you are feeling trapped and lost because you have no idea what your dream could be, go to see a career advisor. The foundation of their work  understanding people and matching them with opportunities to be remarkable.

You can try sorting out your career path for yourself, but a good career advisor can set you on the best path without years of frustration and going in circles.

Once you are clear about your direction you will have power and magic that helps you to achieve your dreams. 

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I work to democratise career information so that ALL students have every opportunity to find their dream career.  Subscribe to In Focus Careers to know outstanding career information for West Australian students.

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It’s Career Expo Time – Don’t sign anything! 3 tips for the Career Expo

Tip 1: Don’t sign ANYTHING

Many visitors sign up for thousands of dollars worth of training based on a noisy 5 minute discussion in the crowded Convention Centre.

The Careers Expo is great fun. There are lots of giveaways. There are glossy brochures and high-tech displays.

People on the stands are friendly and helpful.

Of course they are!

You aren’t going to buy something from someone grumpy. 

The biggest, most professional-looking displays, closest to the entry, with the loud music and happy staff, are investing a lot to get you to sign up for their products.

Tip 2:

Don’t wait until you get to the Expo.  Find the exhibitors on the Expo Page before you go.

If you are interested in having a Gap Year check out which exhibitors will have information that will interest you.

If you are interested in Trades, check out the ones that will be of most interest.

Make the decision about which ones to visit and what you want to know. 

You could also ask….

  • How much will it cost?

  • How long the course will take.

  • What are the entry requirements.

  • How long it takes their graduates to get a job in the industry?

  • What sort of work do graduates get?

Tip 3 See your career advisor after the expo

If you don’t know a career advisor, go to a Jobs and Skills Centre and talk with them or make an appointment with a uni-based career practitioner. It’s FREE. The Jobs and Skills Centres are usually based in TAFE colleges, they also have information about unis.

Each month In Focus Careers News helps West Australian teachers to guide their students towards career opportunities. You can subscribe HERE.

Bev Johnson Director, In Focus Careers
Email: Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au

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Career Educators are the Light on the Hill – with examples

Being a career educator is the best job in the world.

The expert knowledge and guidance of career practitioners is powerful.

We make a difference. 

251 Maslow Pyramid Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free Images - iStock

If you are a fan of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs  you can happily map your potential impact on the ladder to self actualization for your students. 

That’s the amazing, satisfying, powerful job satisfaction that we get.

We know our Why.

We know how important our work is as ride the tsunami of emerging pathways from school.

We are the trailblazers.

Changing how we think about change | by Ash Buchanan | Benefit Mindset | Medium

As with all trailblazers, we have work to do until people see our role as illuminators for the future. We need to work to be the light on the hill, to quote one of Australia’s greatest Prime Ministers, Ben Chifley.

The light on the hill - Wikipedia

We have a great objective – the light on the hill – which we aim to reach by working the betterment of mankind not only here but anywhere we may give a helping hand. If it were not for that, the  Labor movement would not be worth fighting for.

Wikipedia Ben Chifley

There are outstanding practitioners in Western Australia who believe the Career Education movement is worth fighting for. They are the light on the hill. 

They are trailblazers of world best practice who apply sound research findings to their day to day work as career educators across government, Catholic and independent schools.

Three of the many trailblazing West Australian examples are:

IDEA

Co-Founders IDEA

The Innovation Design Entrepreneurship Academy was founded by Rebecca Loftus and Nicole Gazey who say:

It’s not just a different model. It’s a different culture. 

You can check out what they are creating at IDEA HERE.

The Studio School 

Another example that has stepped outside the existing system to forge a new way of operating is The Studio School which opened this year under the umbrella of All Saint’s College. All Saint’s already had a substantial enrichment programme. 

The Studio School

The Studio School is creating a learning ecosystem that extends beyond traditional school parameters. 

You can check out what they are doing HERE. 

Cyril Jackson’s Partnership Model

An early trailblazer was Cyril Jackson’s Partnership Model.

Cyril Jackson partnership model

Discover More

There are outstanding teachers in all disciplines in Western Australia, but great teaching doesn’t lead students to make great career choices. 

Career Educators are the light on the hill that students and families need. 

I will identify more great models of great career education in a new section in my newsletter called Career Educators In Focus. 

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Bev Johnson Director, In Focus Careers

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In Focus Careers April Issue: Connecting you to trends, people and ideas for the future

In March, UWA, Curtin and Murdoch universtities told career educators about their new courses and priorities for 2022 and beyond.

You can find highlights of those presentations in the April issue of In Focus Careers.

The big trend this year is towards more student centric services. All universities  highlighted the new facilities and services that are available to future students. 

Early Offers

All universities agreed to wait until 4 April to open their doors to early offers in 2023 but, in March, only Curtin had clarified that they will be directing applicants straight to TISC. 

Middle School Programs

Universities are providing more opportunities for middle school students to explore a wide range of career opportunities through a range of emerging programs. I will continue to report on the new programs as they are announced. 

Open Day Changes

COVID has impacted on the open day schedules at each university. I have put a table of the changes into the April issue. 

Career Conversation Schedule

The WA Education Department has launched a comprehensive schedule of career conversations designed to help families to understand the career options for WA school students. You can find links to these presentations in the April issue. 

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If you would like your school or organisation to have career information for West Australians delivered to you each month you can subscribe here:

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Pathways from High School – Video presentation for West Australian Senior Students

The content was just what our Year 12’s needed, and the timing is perfect.
This 30-minute Pathways from High School presentation with video is a great alternative to the face-to-face presentations as it can be shown to students and families, at any time.

Students can even take a copy home and watch it with their parents!!

Don’t be ridiculous!!

3 Pathways

It shows 3 different case studies. 

Pathway 1: Judy the academic superstar

Judy is an academic superstar who checks out the Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) at Curtin, medicine everywhere, and Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) at UWA. 

Pathway 2: Flynn General ATAR, Alternative Pathway

 Flynn is looking for alternative pathways for non-ATAR school leavers. He checks out all of the unis, looks at university preparation courses and seeks advice from career counsellors and Centrelink.

Pathway 3: Angie VET and Gap Year

For those wanting a Gap Year, who never to return to full-time study again. Angie looks at the Defence Gap Year program and at Harvest Trail as well as at some on the job training she can do at McDonald’s and online courses. 
I recommend that all students seek professional advice that narrows down to their personal choices, once they have a general idea of which direction they want to take.
Find this presentation HERE.