I have arrived for the Google Teacher Academy (GTA) in Sydney. Tomorrow and Thursday about 50 selected educators will be participating in a 2-day workshop. Now, before you go ahead and think this is about using Google tools, it’s not. There’s more to it. The focus is on making a change in our local communities; about considering some of the grand challenges we face in education and how we can start by making a difference.
The GTA was introduced with the concept of ‘moonshot thinking’. Here is a video that explains the concept.
The GTA was introduced with the concept of ‘moonshot thinking’. Here is a video that explains the concept.
Love it! It's such an inspiring video! If, as humans, we can reach the moon, what does this mean for the challenges we can face in education?! What does moon shot thinking mean to you? If you could achieve or solve anything, what would it be? This video really made me think about the power we have to make things happen, if we just put our minds and focus efforts toward achieving our goals. It also involves problem-solving, bravery, rapid assessment and cross-discipline collaboration. It’s not easy though! You have to take a risk, you have to consider all of the possible challenges and ‘hurdles’ by decomposing the problem, collecting data, evaluating, considering all responses and evaluating your progress (very much like computational thinking).
Leading up to the GTA, we have been involved in a series of pre-workshop ‘challenges’ (aka “moon shot ideas”) that involve identifying challenges our particular education community faces and immersing ourselves to understand facets of the challenge through ‘immersion’ and design thinking approaches.
Now, you can also undertake this challenge! What are the most significant challenges your face in your school/ university/ community? What is your moonshot idea that you want to achieve? Think about open questions that you and/or your colleagues are most concerned about addressing.
Currently, within the school of computer science, we have been involved in supporting teachers with the implementation of the new computing curriculum and so I will be framing my work in this area. I look forward to the days ahead and the challenges that await!
Leading up to the GTA, we have been involved in a series of pre-workshop ‘challenges’ (aka “moon shot ideas”) that involve identifying challenges our particular education community faces and immersing ourselves to understand facets of the challenge through ‘immersion’ and design thinking approaches.
Now, you can also undertake this challenge! What are the most significant challenges your face in your school/ university/ community? What is your moonshot idea that you want to achieve? Think about open questions that you and/or your colleagues are most concerned about addressing.
Currently, within the school of computer science, we have been involved in supporting teachers with the implementation of the new computing curriculum and so I will be framing my work in this area. I look forward to the days ahead and the challenges that await!