Spotlight - Westley Field

Our second spotlight presentation will be given by Westley Field. Westley is Director of Online Learning and Manager of IT at MLC School in Sydney. He is also is Director of the ‘Skoolaborate’ Initiative.

Skoolaborate is a global initiative which uses a blend of technologies including, blogs, online learning, wikis, and  ‘virtual worlds’ to transform learning. These tools are combined to provide collaborative blended learning experiences which make learning more meaningful and engaging. The projects integrate curriculum and digital technologies into collaborative global actions. This video provides an introduction to Skoolaborate:

Westley’s spotlight is about emerging technologies and their implication for learning and the abstract is as follows:

Technologies change the way we work and live. The rate of change with technology and the types of technologies that are emerging have tremendous implications for the future of education. Schools will need to adopt new practices including new skills for teachers if they are to remain competitive.

In this presentation, participants will explore new directions with emerging technologies as well as learn the strategies that worked in establishing a successful global collaborative initiative in teen SecondLife - from admin to practice.

This presentation will explore the learning and subsequent heuristics used to make this project a success. Participants will learn about practical strategies and administrative considerations that make these projects work. Participants will view video footage of student experiences as well as interact with students and partners during the presentation.

Westley Field presents around the world on topics such as education in virtual worlds, making 1 to 1 work, heuristics of implementing e-learning, educational technology, connecting students in a web 2.0 world, and leading in a flat world.

In 2008, Westley received the ASLA John Lee Award for innovative us of IT in learning. Westley has previously received a Churchill Fellowship, Computerworld Honours (Smithsonian), Apple Distinguished Educator, Macromedia Ed Leader, and Adobe Ed Leader for his work with schools and communities. Westley is also on the Board for the NSW and Sydney branches of the Australian Council of Educational Leaders.

Westley will also give two interactive presentations during breakouts 3 and 4. One-to-One: 10 years of ideas will allow participants the opportunity to work collaboratively to develop a vision for learning, then explore strategies and successful working models and for a one-to-one learning environment.