The Science and Technology K-6 syllabus was introduced in 2017 with all schools required to fully implement the learning outcomes by 2019. This syllabus introduced a new content strand ‘Digital Technologies’ and skills continuum ‘Design and Production’. The Digital Technologies content knowledge, skills and tools are new to many teachers with traditional modes of Professional Learning not equipped to build the necessary teacher efficacy that will enable sustained professional learning as this mode of learning has "...long been seen as being synonymous with attending an externally provided event. Evidence reveals that transference from this style of professional learning into changed teaching practice is very poor." (Cole, 2012).

In response to this need, the aim of Future Innovators is to provide a professional learning experience: that:

• Occurs in the learning context (with students) for a negotiated number of visits from the CEDP Learning Team

• Allows teachers to engage with Digital Technologies content from the perspective of a student to gain a deeper understanding of the pedagogical content knowledge aligned to the design and production skills continuum through experience

• Provide teachers with a blended learning experience utilising pre-built Google Classroom learning activities, resources and program planning

• Is driven by professional reflection and co-design of a final task / learning experience

• Exposes teachers to additional ICT tools to support assessment for/of learning, self and peer feedback, Visual Programming in Scratch, designing digital solutions to identified needs and video tools to support reflection and teacher feedback/feedforward.

Principals can request this support by contacting the school's CEDP Learning Leader.

Teachers will have an opportunity to engage in Professional Co-Learning with their students for a negotiated portion of the project. This approach aims to provide teachers with not only experience with the content but also provide a learning sequence and activities designed to support the development of knowledge and skills to support the final task.

The objective of the Professional Learning Experience is to:

• To build a conceptual understanding of the Digital Technologies strand within the K-6 Science and Technology syllabus, and subsequently transfer that knowledge and understanding to other KLAs - See below the Design and Production Skills covered in this professional learning experience

• To develop and sustain agency within the Digital Technologies strand; and ICT General Capabilities

• Opportunity to explore the requirements of AITSL Standards within a Learning Management/Delivery System

  • 1 - Know students and how they learn - 1.2, 1.5

  • 2 - Know the content and how to teach it - 2.2, 2.3, 2.6

  • 3 - Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning - 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5

  • 4 - Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments - 4.1, 1.2, 4.5

  • 5 - Assess, provide feedback and report on student learning - 5.1, 5.2

  • 6 - Engage in professional learning - 6.2, 6.3, 6.4