Schools can empower students to help build the capacity of their peers, staff, and the wider school community in the use of digital technologies by providing and promoting ICT leadership opportunities and by showcasing students’ digital work.

By training ICT mentors and student experts, or encouraging students to work alongside their teachers and help them learn new skills, schools give students recognition and positive attention and help them develop a positive profile as tech savvy kids.

Victorian schools are already exploring options for students to assist in the development and leadership of digital learning policies.

• What can teachers do to encourage students to mentor and support each other and their teachers to use technology?
• How can students contribute to the professional learning of their teachers?
• Why would teachers involve students in planning and decision-making?
• How can student skills and understandings in the use of technology be leveraged to supplement technical support processes already in place?
• How do online tools and spaces support student reflection and learning?
• How do collaborative learning spaces support students to connect, collaborate and co-create knowledge?

Competitions

• Nominations for the 20th national iAwards are now open to all segments of the ICT industry. The iAwards honour the achievements of the student and the school through state and national exposure.
• ACMI’s Screen It is Australia’s national film, animation and game making competition for school-aged students. Designed to encourage imagination and inventiveness in primary and secondary school students.
• Trop Jr is a filmmaking competition and free outdoor festival for kids 15 years and younger.
• The Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM) Awards celebrate the best of Australian and New Zealand screen content from the education sector and screen industry professionals.
• RoboCupJunior Australia is a project-oriented educational initiative that supports local, regional and international robotic events for young students.
• Young ICT Explorers is a technology competition for primary and secondary students to submit their best ICT project. This competition is sponsored by SAP, Group X, NICTA and Swinburne University. It aims to inspire creativity and innovation while encouraging students to consider a career in ICT.

Leadership Events

• The Global Education Conference is a collaborative, inclusive, world-wide community initiative involving students, educators, and organizations at all levels. It will take place online from 17 – 22 November 2014.
• The Digital Demons – Playing by the Rules program saw elite footballers and Year 9 students discuss how they can behave safely and responsibly online.
• EcoCentre Education team members can visit schools and inspire students to reconnect with their local environment through creating, installing and monitoring nest-box homes for wildlife.
• Adobe Youth Voices is the Adobe Foundation’s signature philanthropy initiative empowering young people to ‘Create with Purpose’.
• Kids Congress is an award winning technology and learning conference for 9-12 year olds. The conference challenges the digital generation and their teachers to take part in fun, problem-solving workshops using cool software and technology. What’s unique about this event is that it’s run by kids, for kids.

More Resources

• The Student Leadership of Digital Learning FUSE Package has over 20 resources that will help teachers set up a leadership program for students interested in digital learning
• GenYES is an innovative program that creates 21st century leaders and learners. GenYES students in years 4-12 help teachers use technology in classrooms, supporting effective technology integration school-wide.
• For more information, see: DEECD Students and Digital Technologies,  Competitions and achievements and Leadership events.

Kids Congress Bendigo