“Quicklook” Assessment of Greater Adelaide's Assets & Challenges ...

previous Friday trading. A student run School Shop Committee decides how the profits
are spent.
The Mypolonga Primary School Shop has evolved into a venture that very positively
impacts on the curriculum and the whole culture of the school. It has been a catalyst for
the development of genuine school-community partnerships. The Shop has links to all
aspects of the school’s curriculum. Examples include:
• English – writing reports, brochures, video scripts, letters, oral communication
• Mathematics – commission calculations, sales calculations, pricing, measurement
• Technology – spreadsheets, computing, displays, video production, badge and
magnet making
Facilitators
National and State Policy
• In SA, public education is viewed as being a change agent in regards to
information technology.
• In regard to information technology for the school system, the internal structure of
development has three major areas of emphasis:
o Expect
An Annual Report that compares goals and achievements
o Influence
Various mentoring programs
o Inspire
Bring others onto the “train”
Technology School of the Future
• There is a national charge for all of the Australian states to focus on implementing
specific information technology standards centered on online education, people, and
infrastructure.
• A major new curriculum initiative is about to be introduced into the South Australia
school system (SACSA). This curriculum is intended to be customer oriented, both
individual and community based. In theory this new curriculum is an integrated
learning continuum from kindergarten through year 12 with learning assessment
along the way.
Business Oriented Processes and Entrepreneurial Approaches
• Various Entrepreneurial programs are being developed at Adelaide University and
University of South Australia. For example, Adelaide University initiated a Masters of
Science and Technology Commercialization degree program in 1999.
• A variety of current initiatives to improve ICT competencies and information
economy literacy for both students and faculty for K-12 schools.
o Industry competency standards are being directly used to build student
skill set requirements. Beginning in 2001 an implementation of strategies
focusing on benchmarking ICT competencies using a three-phase
approach was introduced. This addresses competencies from early
childhood to senior secondary. Extensive industry consultation was used
to develop this strategy. For example, by the end of year 10 all students
will achieve an industry accredited ICT qualification visa Information
Industry Training Advisory Body (IITAB) National Training Package IT
Certificate I.
o Examples of initiatives for teacher competency include the discovery
program. The Learning Technologies Project offers a program of leading
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