I'm puzzled by what seems to be your implication that spreadsheets and databases require no imagination, creativity or thinking. Certainly ones with any degree of complexity would require all three. Surely the teaching of IT should be about more than just keeping the kiddies amused with 'gee whiz look at this!' type programmes and pay at least some attention to giving our students some marketable skills. Example - my son in London has no difficulty finding temporary day time jobs for around $25-$30 per hour using spreadsheets and databases. His travelling companion who is a whiz at computer graphics and animations currently earns $12-50 an hour working all night doing bar work. I rest my case. Leanne W<BR><BR><B><I>Mark Scott <msc@staff.luther.vic.edu.au></I></B> wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE class=replbq style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid">How apporpriate.<BR><BR>A conference titled "Imagination, Creativity &
Thinking" just as we enter a new study design where Databases and Spreadsheets are mandated.<BR><BR>Mark Scott<BR>Luther College<BR><BR>________________________________<BR><BR>From: ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au on behalf of Kevork Krozian<BR>Sent: Sat 29/04/2006 5:51 PM<BR>To: Year 12 Information Technology Systems Teachers' Mailing List<BR>Subject: [Year 12 IPM] VITTA Annual Conference 2006 --- Call for Papers -NOW OPEN<BR><BR><BR>Hi Folks,<BR><BR>Apologies for duplcates of this message.<BR>---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR><BR>VITTA Annual Conference 2006<BR>November 20-22, Flemington Racecourse<BR><BR><BR>Call for Papers - NOW OPEN<BR><BR>ICT Educators from primary and secondary schools, tertiary institutions,<BR>sector authorities, business and industry are invited to participate in<BR>building the program of Victorian Information Technology Teachers<BR>Association's 2006 Annual
Conference.<BR><BR>Conference Theme - ICT: Imagination, Creativity & Thinking<BR><BR>³Young people need to develop the creative skills needed in the workplace<BR>of the future. Fast-moving technology and global communications call for an<BR>ability to produce creative solutions to complex problems. Creative teaching<BR>practices can help develop and release students¹ creativity, increasing<BR>their ability to solve problems, think independently and work flexibly.²<BR>(DfES, UK, 2005)<BR><BR>Creativity is moving up the school agenda. As it does so, the emphasis is on<BR>creative thinking applicable across all curriculum areas. It promotes<BR>originality, collaboration and creative spaces. For children to be creative<BR>they need stimuli. These may include curriculum, technologies or buildings<BR>that stimulate expressive responses, but may also include difficult,<BR>real-life problems that require creative thinking to solve.<BR><BR>Creativity involves thinking or
behaving imaginatively. Part of the<BR>challenge of creativity for both teachers and students is the willingness to<BR>explore the unknown, to be innovative, to *risk-take¹ and to collaborate<BR>between classes and schools.<BR><BR>Consider the levels of creative opportunity in your school or classroom.<BR><BR>? What can you do to encourage creativity in your own practice and in your<BR>students¹ learning?<BR><BR>? Can the school environment and your classroom be changed to promote<BR>creativity and imagination?<BR><BR>? Can the organisation of the school day be altered to promote creativity<BR>and thinking?<BR><BR>The innovative three-day conference program is designed to provide attendees<BR>with a variety of lecture style presentations, demonstrations, hands-on<BR>computer sessions and trade show demonstrations, incorporating best practice<BR>teaching and learning. There are many opportunities for presenters to<BR>effectively communicate their ideas and share innovative
practices.<BR><BR>Abstract submissions are now being accepted - simply log in to your VITTA<BR>account to submit. If you do not already hold a VITTA web account, you will<BR>firstly need to activate an account.<BR><BR><BR><BR>To submit your abstract for this years conference, please go to<BR>http://www.vitta.org.au/c4p <HTTP: c4p www.vitta.org.au><BR>Submissions close May 30th<BR><BR>Enquiries: VITTA ph 9495 6836, conference@vitta.org.au <BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>Kevork Krozian<BR>Mailing List Creator and Administrator<BR>kevork@edulists.com.au<BR>www.edulists.com.au<BR>Tel: 0419 356 034<BR>_______________________________________________ <BR>http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe <BR>IPM Mailing List kindly supported by <BR>http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and <BR>http://www.vitta.org.au - VITTA Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association
Inc<BR>_______________________________________________<BR>http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe<BR>IPM Mailing List kindly supported by<BR>http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and<BR>http://www.vitta.org.au - VITTA Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association Inc</BLOCKQUOTE><BR><p>
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