Teachers given insight into the future

Innovation in education through embracing technological change was the topic of the annual teacher motivation seminar for Karratha high school teachers last week.

Australian learning futurist, consultant and author Tony Ryan was the guest speaker at this year’s professional development workshop at the Tambrey Function Centre.

He discussed with teachers from Karratha Senior High School and St Luke’s College the technologies set to change the face of education within the next few decades and the mindset needed to work with them.

“We’re going to be doing work and teaching differently because of the cloud, because these days you just have to get out your phone and you find out whatever you need ... now kids can find it themselves,” he said.

“What we need are good teachers who help them to understand the context of it though, so good teaching won’t go away anytime soon.”

The joint high school semin-ar is a yearly event run by the Karratha Education Initiative.

Mr Ryan said one of the key messages of his presentation was the importance of teachers leading by example.

“We find the best teachers are the ones who are the best learners,” he said.

St Luke’s College principal Alanna Otway said she had organised for Mr Ryan to come to Karratha after seeing him speak at an interstate event.

“I think the response (today) was really positive in terms of innovation and where it is can take us,” she said.

“If we’re not innovative as teachers, nothing will happen.”