Pixeled Multimedia Teachers Association

ACEC 2006

I went to the recent ACEC conference held up in Cairns from the 1st to the 3rd of October (see photostory)). I'd never been to Cairns before so when I got the opportunity to present a pre-conference workshop, I jumped at the chance. Cairns itself is just like a thriving country town - think the size of Bendigo but a really great atmosphere. The ACEC conference had more delegates this year than previously and most people suspected it was because of the location. I mean who'd turn down a fully paid trip to Cairns.

The conference was packed full of seminars and discussion panels with some events only having a half an hour. I've never actually been to a conference anywhere where some speakers had only literally started their discussion before they were rushed off to make way for the next speaker. I don't think half an hour is long enough, it merely acts as an introduction.

Generally though the message that came across all the time was that teachers need more training on how to implement ICT in the classroom and how far Australia was falling behind Asian countries in its use of technology in education. We need to get a move on if things are going to improve, particularly in the delivery and planning of ICT rich environments.

There wasn't enough hands on workshops, apart from some pre-conference workshops (one of which I was running) I didn't get a chance to get my hands on anything practical to use in the classroom. This is a shame because all the research on teacher expectations at conferences is that they want more workshops - however, these are always in short supply.

The next ACEC conference will be in Canberra in 2008 and if you get the chance to go it is good for networking and speaking with teachers from around Australia. Also, try and offer a workshop, it will make the conference so much more worthwhile. short photostory.