First the Pandemic, Now The BIG Shift – Navigating the challenges and opportunities
What a week! As I write this post on a flight to Perth (enabled with WiFI) I reflect on life post lockdowns. Would I have experienced a week like the one just past and the one I’m about to embark on? (In the context of my journey as an educator)
I’ve always believed life is all about enjoying the journey and living in the present. (Well, I try to do that) Here are my reflections on this week at least, at an altitude of 10974 metres!
Actually before I start, I arrived at Melbourne Airport at 5:20am this morning. I get a text saying my flight is cancelled (really) The alternative to my 4 hour direct flight is a 15 hour journey with a stopover on the way. (The New Normal :()
I was able to get a refund and book with another airline (Qantas), get the same direct flight at the same time all within an hour! We’ve learnt to be Agile! A big shout to Qantas!
Day 1 – Providing Teachers at Flinders Christian College with Professional Learning employing Virtual Reality as a tool to provide a more immersive learning experience for staff and students.
Flinders CC have just renovated their library now called the “iHub”. As you will see in the pictures the staff are embracing the role this new technology can play in future learning.
We look forward to ongoing collaborations with Mindflight7 and Flinders CC as they explore the possibilities and opportunities through the “lens” of VR.
Day 2 – Joining the Technology Team at ANZ Head Office – Docklands, Melbourne
The Technology Team at ANZ were participating in a week long Innovation “Sprint”. It was an absolute pleasure to share our take on the role Virtual Reality will play not just in learning but work places as well. The team were so engaged and it was great to be reminded you’re never too young to enjoy VR.
Day 3 – The BIG Shift hosted at Melbourne University
Moral Fairground played host to coordinating this 2-day event. I always come away so inspired from in person events such as these.
The takeaways for me was the focus on inclusion and connectedness. A lot was shared around culture and the importance of embracing lived experience.
Again great to see participants taking up the opportunity to experience VR over lunch.
Day 4 – The BIG Shift hosted at RMIT University
In a spirit of collaboration between Universities, so good to be immersed in another day sharing the amazing work of other mostly For Purpose organizations.
I could write a whole post just on takeaways from this day. I encourage you to jump on Linkedin and read some of the inspiring posts Kylie Flament shared. She did a great job of capturing emerging themes mentioned above.
Day 5 – Meeting with staff teaching STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) at Boneo PS
It was great to have a meeting with Antonia (a Graduate Teacher) taking up the lead for STEM, Megan taking up the lead of for Human Powered Vehicle and Jordan, a new RTL facilitator that will work to support the staff at Boneo PS with the teaching of STEM. Jordan is in his 4th year of Mechanical Engineering at Monash University.
Great to connect Antonia with Kev Daly from Digital Learning Teaching Victoria DLTV)
Day 6 Rest day to prepare for a week working with schools in Perth partnering with Mindflight7
Day 7 On a flight to Perth
We are excited to be working with 4 new Perth based schools that have joined 2 existing Perth based schools in WA to partner with Mindflight7. All 6 schools are investing in their own VR capability to share these experiences within their schools and the wider community.
I look forward to providing an update on my return.
So in closing would this have all been possible pre pandemic? Maybe, but when I embarked on my journey as a teacher almost 30 years ago I could not have ever dreamed of a journey quite like the one I’m on now. Just kidding this is WILD! DREAM BIG!
