Our latest thoughts from the world of technology in education & the workplace

Texthelp Blog - Our latest thoughts from the world of technology in education & the workplace

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I’m one of the speakers for this session, not that I’m biased or anything, but this is a must see. This is how we plan for success. This session will look at what UDL is and what it does. A lot of the advice is based on good teaching practice, so we know you're on your way to becoming an expert already. Our speakers will share some practical examples of how technology can support UDL, so you can continue to apply the principles.

Universal Design for Learning

How can we make maths more inclusive? During the event we’ll be delivering sessions, resources and advice on how to support students with maths and science. So don’t miss out if you’re looking for new ways to make STEM subjects more accessible and engaging.

Levelling the Playing Field - creating equity in mathematics.

I have a literacy background, so this topic is always going to be close to my heart. Being able to read and write effectively is key to education and employment, and the ability to participate fully in society. In this session we'll take a look at how we can reach everyone. Encouraging all students to develop these essential life skills.

Literacy is the key to lifelong learning

What to expect from Future Building in Education

On 4 May, join us for our first ever virtual conference dedicated to education in Australia and New Zealand.  Head of Education for Texthelp Asia/Pac, Greg O’Connor, who is also our host for the day, explains why this event is so important to our team. He’ll also share his “must see” sessions and what you can expect on the day. 

Digital classrooms and instructional content have evolved a lot since Read&Write first launched back in 2013. Read&Write has also evolved since then. It's been there to support students wherever they are - from Google Docs and Word Docs, to Learning Management Systems. Today’s update marks a huge step forward in this evolution. 

The evolution of the 'digital classroom' has changed the way learners work - and where. Read&Write has evolved as well: from toolbar tweaks to full dictation in Google Slides, our recent Read&Write for Google Chrome update will support you and your learners even better, in more places.

A new Read&Write for Google Chrome update is live

A new milestone for Read&Write for Google Chrome

Today, we're excited to announce the release of the new and improved Read&Write for Google Chrome.

To help you personally make a change, we asked DE&I leaders and business owners for their best insights. We asked "What's one piece of advice you would give to others in your organization, to help them do their part to create a culture of belonging for their colleagues?"

From allowing others to take the lead to marking each culturally significant day, there are several tips that may help you to create a culture of belonging at work.

Diversity, equity & inclusion (DE&I), is everyone’s responsibility.  In this blog, 10 DEI Leaders share how you can personally make a change.

10 DE&I Leaders 'Pass The Torch': 10 Things You Can Do To Personally Make A Change

Diversity, equity & inclusion (DE&I), is everyone’s responsibility. Part of creating a culture that's welcoming for everyone is understanding that, beyond your diversity & inclusion team, everyone can play a part.

This week, we're challenging misconceptions around neurological differences and offering you ideas for how your school or organization can support all students and employees to reach their full potential. We've gathered some resources here to get you started. 

This week ( March 21st - 27th) marks Neurodiversity Celebration Week, an event that celebrates neurodivergent strengths at all stages in life, from school to the workplace.

Celebrating different minds during Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Celebrating different minds

Supporting neurodivergent thinking with Neurodiversity Celebration Week

What would you say are the benefits of thinking differently? You might say it brings new ideas to the table, helps to rethink inefficient processes, and identifies patterns other people might miss. This week (March 21st - 27th) marks Neurodiversity Celebration Week, an event that celebrates neurodivergent strengths at all stages in life, from school to the workplace. 

Over 40 million Americans are dyslexic, but only 2 million receive services to help with everyday learning. Here's 5 ways Assistive Technology can help dyslexic students progress at school.

5 Ways Assistive Technology Can Help Dyslexic Students in the Classroom

Picture this: 8th Grader, Lucas is sat in his English class; everyone is taking down notes from the board and the extra pearls of wisdom from his teacher. The bell will ring any minute now, and he’s working at break-neck speed to get everything down. Meanwhile, his non-dyslexic classmates leisurely jot points down without breaking a sweat.

*School bell rings* (sighs in relief) Lucas had finished his notes, but after glancing back over them, all that extra stress and effort seems a waste to him now, because he can’t understand a word he’s written.

As Zeina Chalich, Principal of St Francis Xaviers, NSW,  said in our "Education and Technology in Uncertain Times?" roundtable - “Digital learning during lockdown gave us a glimpse of EdTech’s potential. What will it’s ongoing impact be?” 

We’re going to take a look at our top 8 predictions for education in Australia and New Zealand for 2022. If the future of education is something you’re interested in you’re going to want to sign up for webinar series - Future Building in Education. 

This webinar series is dedicated to education in Australia and New Zealand. We’ll be hearing from a host of experts, some of whom you will have heard from before through our channels, and lots of new friends who will bring fresh perspectives. The topic 'Future Building in Education' is one close to our hearts.

Now let’s take a look at our 8 predictions for education in 2022. 

The increase in remote working allowed many people to reconsider where they live. It used to be that people had to live where the jobs were, and that's no longer the case. Working remotely can be done from anywhere, somewhere with more access to outdoor space, or closer to family. We're seeing people shift from the cities to more rural areas. 

As the borders are just opening to allow people back into Australia we can expect an increase in migration. Being able to recruit from abroad again can help companies address staff shortages. High salaries, quality of life and better weather will appeal to people who have spent the last two years in dreary lockdowns. It is likely that we will see a growth in population and demand for schools as a result.

Ben Dyer, Customer Relationship Champion at Texthelp adds “Migration benefits all society. The more  global perspectives we have the better equipped we are to problem solve and come up with creative solutions''

There are already many online schools operating across the globe. As home working allows adults to work a distance from their offices, online learning offers young people the same flexibility. There are families who prefer remote learning and find that it suits their circumstances better. 

During the last two years our children and teenagers spent more time online. It became their source of education, entertainment and social interaction. It offered a way to connect with family that there was no other way to see. Young people have become so comfortable with using technology throughout their day, it’s an integral part of our lives. Our next prediction is in direct response to that, and probably won’t surprise you. 

Schooling, socializing and play all took place online over the last while, and for many this was seen as a response to the unique circumstance we were in. Ideally, we might not like our kids to be online so much, and prefer them to socialize more in the real world. So we could see parents trying to reduce screen time back to pre-pandemic levels. 

Our roundtable guests also included Jacinta Keenan. Jacinta is a STEM teacher from St John’s Catholic School in Richmond, Tasmania. Jacinta told us ‘The days of “What did you do at school today?” - “Not much” are over.  Now parents can see what their kids are doing, becoming more involved in their child's learning’.

Parents had to supervise school work at home, helping kids when they got stuck, marking and correcting work. As a result they appreciate the work done by teachers even more than before. Schools can expect more help with homework going forward. Any gaps and issues can be identified and reported to the school.

This year Naplan will be fully completed online, this could be a logistical challenge for some schools. There are many people who have problems with  NAPLAN, so we may see changes going forward.  We’ll be keeping an eye on this during the coming months.

A focus on literacy and numeracy standards

Over the last few years Australia’s ranking in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) has been a topic of discussion. The gap between the highest and lowest performing students had been widening before the pandemic - what will the ongoing impact be? We’re likely to see increased pressure from the Government to address these results and improve Australia’s standing in the international ranks. 

To access the webinar series all you need to do is register using the link below:

If you enjoyed this, we have loads more resources for you to check out: 

In this roundtable discussion we explore how tech-for-learning is paving the way for a more resilient education system - one that has the tools it needs to cope with uncertain times and diverse learning needs.

Education and Technology in Uncertain Times

In this episode Brett Salakas speaks to Texthelp's Greg O'Connor about future building in education. Brett is a teacher, leader, poet and the founder of aussieED (the largest online network of teachers in Australia) and the co-founder of both the ED Poets Society and TheWalkingED.

Future building in education - and the role of technology

8 Predictions for schools across Australia and New Zealand in 2022. Let's take a look at the year ahead for education in Australia.

8 Predictions for schools across Australia and New Zealand in 2022

As another school year begins many of us are still trying to process the last tricky 24 months. Now we're wondering what lies ahead for 2022. At Texthelp we have seen an increase in usage of educational technology over the last 2 years.  So we know that schools are adapting to ensure a great education for everyone. Using digital tools allows for creativity, flexibility and collaboration. 

Blog

What to expect from Future Building in Education

A new milestone for Read&Write for Google Chrome

10 DE&I Leaders 'Pass The Torch': 10 Things You Can Do To Personally Make A Change

Celebrating different minds

5 Ways Assistive Technology Can Help Dyslexic Students in the Classroom

8 Predictions for schools across Australia and New Zealand in 2022

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