Learning technologies

Digital Technology Teacher Resources

Classroom management of iPads with iOS11

Presented by Kale Kingdon - ASI Solutions

Classroom 2.0 for iPad app

  • Manage a classroom of iPads, individually or in groups
  • See and control student iPads
  • Lock and unlock iPads remotely
  • Share an iPad display using Apple TV
  • Internet content can be saved as a shareable PDF minus ads
  • Share folders can be used for student submissions
  • iPad usage by app analytics can be reported and emailed

Tec-NQ Applied STEM in trades

Presented by Ross Jorgensen - Tec-NQ

For years 10.5 to 12.
Tec NQ and JCU used thier combined skills to make a FSAE race car.
This required race specification analysis, carburator design, mathematics for fuel volumes, 3D drawing, 3D printing in plastic and machining in metal.
Tec NQ uses Moodle to provide teaching resources, student submissions, forums and marking.
STEM is also present in electrical analysis tools, engine analysis tools and environmental monitoring.

Scratch your own itch

Presented by Lindsay Ward - JCU

Play with technology and learn along the way.
Look for repetitive situations and try to automate them.

  • Rename files in bulk
  • Create a HTML web page menu file to a directory of files
  • Alter spreadsheets into a desired format. e.g. Solar inverter CSV file to a PVOutput chart.
  • Use Raspberry Pi for home automation. Home Assistant is an open source project. Investigate it parts.
Have fun and learn.

Projects in Arduino

Presented by Trent Welsby - Annandale Christian College
Arduino Uno Microcontroller

Arduino is a credit card sized microcontroller. Learn to code on hardware costing less than $30.

  • Digital Input and outputs
  • Analog inputs and outputs
  • Serial communications
  • Electronic breadboards can extend the circuits from Arduino
  • C like programming language. Arduino development environment is free with sample code
  • USB cable to program and provide power
  • DC power only to run your code
There are many application such as smart appliances and Internet of Things.
Connect Arduino to LED lights, sensors, motors, displays, relays, switches etc. Look for Arduino sensors as a package. e.g. 37 sensor kit.
There are also companion circuit boards (shields) such as robot motor controllers, networking, LCD displays, multi sensor boards, multi relay boards etc.

There is a series on Arduino training resources at https://bronsonp.github.io.

Scientists / Mathematicions / ICT Professional in Schools

Raspberry Pi 3 computer
Presented by Brendan Lucas

This is a program matching STEM professional with schools. Brendan works with St Joseph's and Hermit Park State Schools.
It began with a Raspberry Pi (single board computer) and weather station kit competition. 1000 kits were given away with open source code.
Python programming language can be used on Windows, Mac and Linux (Raspberry Pi can use Linux).
Students were given 30 lines of code to type in and run. They could modify it once it was operational.
Hermit Park school has a long term project to have real time monitoring of thier hydroponics. e.g. Remote control and web page status.

CS Unplugged is a teaching resource. Computer Science without a computer.
It teaches computational thinking with games and puzzles.

How the JCU Design Sprint could be adapted for schools

Presented by Dianna Hardy, JCU

The initial prompt for this was to improve group collaboration skills for ACS accreditation.
A secondary consideration was to avoid Zombie jobs (jobs likely to be automated soon).
4 steps in design thinking:

  1. Understand the problem
  2. Develop possible solutions
  3. Prototype, test and refine
  4. Implement
JCU created a Design Sprint event using 1st, 2nd, 3rd year students, staff and industry to help solve the local water crisis. 188 people.
Group collaboration skills were learnt quickly. Group progress was rapid. In one day they solved what would have taken 6 months using meetings.

Raspberry Pi and Pi Net - Cheap computer room

Pinet kit
Presented by David Vize, Townsville State High School

Pinet(free) uses a PC / laptop to act as a server to a group of Raspberry Pi Linux client computers.
The server can push out settings and updates to the clients. It can act as a file server, message server and can control user accounts.
The server operating system is Ubuntu Linux. This can be loaded on the PC directly or as a virtual machine on top of a Windows/Mac computer.
Pinet can setup the microSD storage cards that will be used in the Raspberry Pi.
The Ethernet network can be run without the Internet. Monitors with USB power could power the Raspberry Pi (USB <= 10 watts).
Skills gained include Linux admin skills, network setup, computer setup, programming and command line skills.


An alternative could include Linux installed on older computers.
Another alternative is Chromebook / Chromebit browser based computers.

3D Design with TinkerCAD

Lamborgini 3D print car
Presented by Tricia Lonergan, Holy Spirit Catholic School

TinkerCAD allows a classroom to 3D design online.
The users need one parent/teacher account. Students can use an alias to connect to the parent/teacher.
Tutorials are present to introduce 3D design. The teacher can see each of the student's designs.
Save your 3D designs as .STL files for 3D printers.
Holy Spirit Catholic School students designed 3D letterboxes.

There is a 2nd section to this website to teach electronic circuits and Arduino. 3D printing could be used to build circuit enclosures.

My Scientist in School Resources

https://www.slideshare.net/matthewbulat/computing-and-you-advancing-yourself-and-avoiding-the-pitfalls
https://www.slideshare.net/matthewbulat/introduction-to-code
https://www.slideshare.net/matthewbulat/introduction-to-computer-networking-school-level
https://www.slideshare.net/matthewbulat/digital-careers-in-australia

Career Research Resources

A Snapshot of Australia Digital Future to 2050
Australia's Digital Pulse

See more industries at https://www.myfuture.edu.au - The Facts - Industries

The web page was inspired from a Qsite meeting in Townsville. Lots of great people driving Digital Technology education in Townsville.

Skill smart for the future.