One of the presentations made at the Leading Technologies for Learning forum last Thursday was a brief introduction to CENet. The main question it tried to answer is, “What is CENet?”

CENet is a Virtual Learning Environment

A short answer, but one perhaps requiring further explanation and detail, is “a Virtual Learning Environment” (VLE). CENet brings together a range of facilities for the management and conduct of online learning and teaching. The main facility our schools will most likely use is that called myclasses, where online learning activities can be managed, shared and undertaken. Around and within this are other features such as web-based email for staff and students, file storage, forums and discussion boards, and resource collections, such as the Learning Federation learning objects. Essentially, CENet takes our school Intranet concept further, providing features such as home access, sharing and collaboration tools that were beyond our means as an individual school to provide.

Above is a screenshot of a CENet class I created as a test, given that I have had absolutely no training whatsoever. The creation process took no more than a minute.

The best answer I have at present about what is CENet is this:

CENet is what you make of it.

OK, this sounds like a cop-out, I know, but it’s true! CENet is a collection of tools that give us the opportunity to engage our students in relevant, meaningful and exciting 21st Century learning. The CENet experience in other dioceses reflects a range of use and quality of use from one teacher to the next. Quite simply, exceptional use of CENet relies on a sound, contemporary teaching and learning pedagogy.

CENet is part of our school’s Professional Learning and Learning Technology Agendas for 2007 and beyond

Initial training and professional learning for CENet will commence later this year once we establish a timeframe with the Learning Technologies team at CEO. From that initial PD, we will need to continue to commit ourselves to developing not only the skills required to operate CENet, but to ensuring quality teaching and learning to make the CENet journey worthwhile.

All staff now have access to CENet through the “Resources” menu in Staffnet. A default password has been set (available from the LTC), which can be changed after you first enter CENet to match your password for Novell/Staffnet/GroupWise/etc.

The Leading Technologies for Learning Forum, hosted by CEO Parramatta, was held on Thursday 3 May from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Panthers Pavilion, Penrith.

The intent behind the forum was to give leadership teams the opportunity to explore new technologies available for teaching and learning; see how technology is being used to enable and support teaching and learning; network with colleagues across the diocese; and discuss issues around the implementation of learning technologies in schools.

Michael, Anne, Sue and I all attended the forum. The benefit is that each of us came to the forum from different perpsectives, from school leader, to technology coordinator, to classroom teacher.

Perhaps we can provide some more detailed posts in the future about some of the forum presentations. For now though, a quick glance at a few presentations of particular relevance to us.

E-A Reporting

Ron van Vliet (CEO Parramatta) gave an update on the E-A report writing package developed for/by the CEO for schools. I must say that it has come a long way since the first Microsoft Access-based trial package was released in Term 2 last year. It is now a web-based application that is accessible through Staffnet to participating schools. CEO anticipates that all primary schools will use the package by the end of the year (except for Kindergarten), so be prepared to use it in Term 4.

We Can Make Our Robots Dance

A presentation from Nicole Sprainger (CEO Parramatta), in collaboration with Modern Teaching Aids about the Diocesan Lego Robotics trial that St. Michael’s is a part of with our Year 6 students (led by Andrew and Angela). Later, Nicole was also scheduled to present on the Bee-Bots trial that our Early Stage 1 and Stage 1 classes have contributed to, especially through the work and leadership of Cherie.

CENet

Brian van Vlimmeren and Stan Wawrzyniak from CEO gave a short introduction to CENet; which I think was helpful to Michael given he’s been relying on my brief re-hash of similar presentations as his “expert knowledge” of CENet. All our staff currently have access to CENet, and later this year we will be engaged in professional development around the use of this virtual learning environment (VLE).

Interactive Whiteboards

A presentation we didn’t need to attend because we clearly were already introduced to this emerging technology. I watched a face or two turn a little green with envy when I would casually mention, “oh, we just bought eight of them…”

As I mentioned before, hopefully we can follow some of these topics (and perhaps others) up later. In the meantime, our first Technoblog podcast! It’s a quick wrap-up of the forum naming my highlights, disappointments and “trainwreck” moments in “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”.