Julie Scandrett, Bachelor in Teaching
Educational Technology Advisor
Defining moments:
• I enjoyed training others whilst working in the Prison Service (Justice Dpt) in the 1980s.
• Called to teacher training 1997 –joined Waikato University’s Mixed Media Program and immediately needed to be come computer literate to participate in, online chats, complete online assignments and access course materials. Since my teacher training I have always enjoyed and been interested in teaching the students using ICT tools and learning about the different ICT classroom applications. I have always felt in this area ‘the more I learn the more there is to learn’!
• 2000 my first teaching position was at Te Wharau School where I was supported and mentored by a great bunch of experienced, fun, senior teachers.
• 2001 I took a position at Central School in the Senior Unit. Moved to the Junior Unit in 2002 fell in love with the littlies thirst for learning and loved being part of their enormous learning journey during the year.
• Also worked in the evenings for community projects to teach adults computer skills – found this different age group fun and a new challenge.
• 2005 I felt honoured and thrilled to be selected as one of the first teachers to receive an InterWrite Board. I also received other equipment to trial: Bee Bot, microscope and clickers from Sitech Champion Schools Programme. The kids loved the ‘toys’ and were focused and learning while they ‘played’.
• 2006 attended and presented at my first Champion Schools Conference in Hamilton – I was scared out of my wits, but received such positive feedback from attendees and observers I was encouraged to present again in Hawkes Bay at the Flaxmere Cluster Conference in 2007 and 2008. I also presented at the Champion Conference in Rotorua in 2007. I was very impressed with the Flaxmere Cluster’s sharing attitude – would love to see more of this in my area!
• 2009 - I was awarded the ICT Learning and Teaching Unit for my school – looking forward to facilitating and sharing ICT ideas and products with my colleagues in a more formal structured way this year.
• I was employed by Breathe Technology in January 2009 and look forward to sharing my passion, learning ideas, products and experiences, with my fellow teachers. I am keen to support colleagues in their Digital Technology learning and teaching journey.
Special Powers:
• A great love and appreciation for the versatile tools technology has provided: InterWrite board, digital microscope etc. I have seen my student’s interest captured and held by the InterWrite Board. This teaching tool encourages students to focus, learn and think of ways we can learn using Digital technology in a world of ever changing technology. I believe this helps to prepare my students for a world of employment in jobs that are not even thought of yet!
• I love learning – therefore am enthusiastic about sharing this passion with my students and colleagues. I love the exciting resources we can instantly access eg: Internet, Google Earth, Digital microscope etc.
• I am a full time, busy teacher of 22 fabulous year 1s and 2s – I am living the life of a teacher. I know how hard it is to find time for all the ‘extras’ and will keep this in mind when sharing my teaching practices and learning examples – they need to be quick to make, reusable, and effective teaching methods.
• My sense of humour, I like to have fun and a laugh, I often need to laugh at my own errors, so feel I have empathy for other’s trials and tribulations with their ICT equipment.