Growing up digital

Tuesday, 26 January 2021

Children are not who they used to be, and the pandemic has highlighted this. One common observation is how quickly children learn to navigate in the world of media and technology to find their way forward. Children have also become more dependent on their gadgets. But what do we know about how this has changed them? And how do these changes affect learning?

In our 2021 lecture, Professor Pasi Sahlberg explored educators' views on children, digital technologies, heath and learning. Over 600 attendees were invited to consider how we can help young people live safer, happier and more responsible digital lives. They then had the chance to ask their burning questions in a 30 minute Q&A session.

Held in partnership with Swansea University's School of Education, this was a valuable learning opportunity for those involved in education. It was especially useful for those with specific responsibility for promoting learner health and well-being.

See the presentation slides

What are your thoughts on the points raised in the lecture? We've worked with Pasi Sahlberg to develop a bespoke reflection exercise for you. To access it, just log in to your Professional Learning Passport and head to your Professional Learning Templates. 

Previous Events

The Education Workforce Council’s sector-wide conference Teacher Education: Developing Our Research Culture took place in Llandudno on Tuesday, 15 October 2019.

The conference’s keynote speaker, Associate Professor Nicole Mockler of the University of Sydney, was joined by colleagues from the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research, Data and Methods (WISERD), CaBan and CIEREI (Collaborative Institute for Education Research, Evidence and Impact) and University of Wales Trinity St David to discuss topics related to research and teacher education.

In her keynote, Associate Professor Nicole Mockler discussed the potential of teacher research in the service of teacher professional development and learning, and the renewal of professional practice.

In their session, colleagues from WISERD presented some of the insights drawn from the research findings from the 'Successful Futures for all' project.

Colleagues from CABAN and CIEREI outlined the collaborative research projects undertaken by higher education institutions (HEI) and schools in the CaBan region which focused on on impact on learners and learning.

UWTSD shared details of the Shifting Sands research project which seeks to explore the perceptions of those involved in the change process in the HEI and partnership schools in relation to professional roles and responsibilities.

 Previous Events

On 27 September the Education Workforce Council (EWC), in partnership with the National Academy for Educational Leadership (NAEL) and Swansea University, hosted an educational masterclass delivered by Singaporean educationalist Pak Tee Ng.

Presenting to over 100 leaders and senior leaders in Swansea, Pak Tee explored how Singapore’s world leading education system meets the challenges of change and how it tries to reform curriculum and pedagogy. He drew on key paradoxes and successes as well as the lessons learned along the way.

A Cambridge University graduate, Pak Tee began his career as a Mathematics teacher and has since worked for the Ministry of Education and the National Institute of Education, Singapore.

As well as gaining an insight into a highly successful education system, this event provided an opportunity for leaders and senior leaders to discuss and reflect on the changes currently under way in education in Wales. 

The Education Workforce Council (EWC) held its fourth Professionally Speaking event on Monday, 16 September 2019 in the Reardon Smith Theatre at National Museum Wales, Cardiff.

This year we had the privilege of welcoming esteemed educationalist Professor Andy Hargreaves to deliver his lecture on Equity, Identity and Inclusion: the next big challenge for educational change. 

On his lecture, he commented: 

“We are moving beyond an age defined by achievement and effort alone, to one that also gets to grips with engagement, identity and wellbeing.

"Engagement isn’t simply about more relevance, technology, or fun. It’s about knowing your students, how to connect with their interests, and how to introduce them to new ones.”

Andy is Visiting Professor at the University of Ottawa and Research Professor in the Lynch School of Education at Boston College. An advocate for a strong teaching profession and positive educational change, Andy has been awarded several prestigious accolades.

Andy was also joined by Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams in a Q&A session hosted by BBC journalist, Catrin Haf Jones.

Download Andy Hargreaves'  PowerPoint presentation.