Previously known as CS4HS
The Google Educator Conference is back for 2024!
The Google Educator Conference is designed for digital technology teachers—training them in STEM subjects and creative ways to present these in New Zealand classrooms.
The purpose of the conference is to upskill all our valuable educators such as primary, intermediate, high school by presenting ideas to engage students with new technologies so they can be better equipped for the needs of twenty-first century learning.
Teachers will be equipped with the ability to tap into the creativity and enthusiasm that many students have for technology. And they’ll be exposed to exciting ways of presenting these technologies and master new skills that can directly shape the future of computer science in their classrooms.
November 21st, 2024
Google Wynyard Central, Auckland. Google Maps
12 Madden Street - Grid AKL - Generator. Google Maps
All teachers and educators, including pre-service teachers.
A look back to see how we got to here. What is here and why it matters and what could the future look like for education.
By:
Steve Smith - NZ Program Manager, Google for Education
Join Alliv Samson, CGO and Co-Founder of edtech app Kami, as she shares how a Kiwi startup grew from its humble beginnings in Aotearoa to empowering over 40 million users worldwide.
Alliv will delve into Kami’s journey of transforming education and her passion for driving innovation in edtech.
By:
Alliv Samson - CGO and Co-Founder of Kami
The rise of Generative AI has made it essential for students to gain AI literacy skills, yet it can be challenging to assess whether they truly understand and know how to use Generative AI technologies in ethical and responsible ways. In this session, we will explore strategies for assessing AI literacy based on quizzes, surveys, and frameworks used by educators around the world.
By:
Dr. Kara Kennedy - Principal - AI Literacy Institute
With the technology curriculum refresh currently underway, in a world where AI tools are becoming ever more pervasive, we can expect that future views of digital literacy will involve a significant level of AI literacy. The Scaffolded AI Literacy (SAIL) framework has been developed by a group of experts from Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas to provide a comprehensive guide to developing AI literacy through scaffolded levels of competency. This session will provide a brief overview of the framework before getting into the practicalities of how its knowledge, skills, and critical perspectives can be delivered to diverse learner groups in engaging and interactive ways using accessible digital tools.
By:
1. Dr Kathryn MacCallum - Associate Professor of Digital Education Futures, University of Canterbury
2. Dr David Parsons - Research Director, academyEX
3. Dr Mahsa McCauley - Senior lecturer at AUT School of Engineering and Founder of She Sharp
An overview and Q&A/kōrero of how curriculum content (NZC only-not TMoA) is approaching the wero of what our next generation need to know, what is essential learning with, in, and about technology?
By:
Catherine Frost - Lead Writer Technology, Ministry of Education
Join us for an empowering workshop focused on engaging girls in STEMM. This interactive session will explore innovative strategies and practical approaches to inspire and support female students in science, technology, engineering, mathematics through a Māturanga Māori lens.
Participants will gain insights into effective teaching methods, learn first hand about some of our successes , and develop tools to create a more inclusive and motivating STEMM environment.
Equip yourself with the skills to help ignite a passion for STEMM in young girls and promote their continued success in these fields.
By:
1. Claire Wigley - Teacher at Spotswood College New Plymouth & TENZ Council Member
2. Munireh Rouget - Deputy Chair - TENZ Council and Poutakawaenga mō te Pūtake Whakawhanaungatanga - Facilitator for the Whakawhanaungatanga Principle
Join us for a dynamic workshop designed to address the challenges and opportunities in supporting SEN students and promoting responsive education here in Aotearoa.
This interactive session will be a thoughtful exploration into the unique needs of diverse learners.
We’ll dive into insights from Kami’s research on SEN and demonstrate practical ways to use the app as a universal accommodation tool. Participants will be encouraged to identify pressing issues, and brainstorm innovative edtech solutions.
Get ready to be a part of ideating new products, crafting actionable strategies that can be brought to life in schools, driving real change in the SEN space.
Bring your laptops to make the most of this hands-on and truly rewarding experience!
By:
1. Jessica Brennan - Kami - Regional Customer Manager
2. Paul Savage - Kami - Senior Product Marketer
In this workshop, we'll explore how AI can revolutionize teaching and learning through differentiated instruction. We'll delve into powerful tools like Diffit, Gemini, Magic School, and Questionwell, which offer personalised learning paths, targeted feedback, and adaptive assessments. By harnessing the power of AI, teachers can create more engaging, effective, and equitable classrooms where every student can thrive.
By:
Bex Rose - Head of Impact, Growth Culture
The CodeRunner tool is used in dozens of Universities across NZ and internationally to assess programming ability in students. With the new NCEA standard coming in, this created a unique opportunity to take a big step forward in the assessment of NCEA programming. That was the goal of (soon to be Doctor) Henry Hickman who developed a way to leverage CodeRunner to work with NCEA as part of his PhD study. While there were challenges, the potential benefits are clear; to assist teacher to deliver a consistent assessment for all their kids and, hopefully, increase the opportunity for kids to learn to program. This workshop will give you hands on experience in the new and improved tool that will be released for the 2025 academic year. You’ll leave with a good understanding of the tool and its potential benefits for you, your students and the subject.
By:
1. Steven Rodkiss - Digital Technologies Teacher, Burnside High School & member of the DTTA committee
2. Henry Hickman - PhD student, University of Canterbury
How do we empower our students to become creators of Artificial Intelligence rather than just users? This workshop will explore one way we can create our own AI from first principles while providing guidance on how to teach intermediate level python.
Genetic algorithms are an easy stepping stone on the way to understanding AI that draw lessons from nature and all living things around us. Here we will turn nature into technology by using genes, inheritance and natural selection to make our code overcome the survival of the fittest!
By:
Alex Ward - Senior Curriculum Leader, Rototuna Junior High School
We will provide a comprehensive explanation of the Olympiads and delve into New Zealand's process for selecting students to represent the country. Additionally, we will discuss how teachers can offer these outstanding opportunities to their students.
By:
Margot Phillipps
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integral to various aspects of life and work, it is crucial that educational systems prepare students to navigate this new landscape. This panel will explore what AI literacy entails for primary and secondary education and discuss actionable strategies to equip students with the necessary skills and understanding.
Panelists:
Dr. Geri Harris
Benny Pan
Paula Gair
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CGO and Co-Founder of Kami
Alliv Samson is the CGO and Co-Founder of Kami, the world’s #1 digital classroom application that is transforming the way students and teachers engage and collaborate with learning resources. She is responsible for Kami’s ventures into offshore markets, their marketing efforts, team growth, and user growth.
Alliv graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Majors in Political Studies and Media Studies from the University of Auckland. She has mentored university students through The University of Auckland Velocity Programme and Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and her experience in computer science and freelance work has helped shape Kami into one of the fastest growing EdTech companies across the globe.
Google for Education, NZ Program Manager
Steve has been a High School Social Studies and Geography teacher for the last 16 years in New Zealand since returning from teaching in London for 2 years. Steve worked to bring Google for Education to his school and along with a colleague trained the staff in the use of Google for education. Over 8 years, Steve passionately promoted Google Tools through workshops across New Zealand. He's Level 1 and 2 Certified Educator & Trainer, attended the 2019 Sydney Innovator Academy, and is part of the Google Earth Education Experts Group. He is now at Google's Auckland office as NZ Lead for Google for Education, aiming to empower NZ educator communities, support partners, and bring more "Google goodness" to education in NZ.
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Lead Writer Technology , Ministry of Education
Catherine is currently Lead Writer in the Technology learning area in the Ministry of Education for the curriculum refresh Te Mātaiaho. Teaching across all sectors, first in the 90’s in the UK and since 2004 in Aotearoa New Zealand, Catherine has almost 30 years' experience in Technology education, leadership, strategy and curriculum development; Catherine has held a variety of, advisory, consultancy and national project leadership roles, specialising in change strategy, leadership with the goal to improve the educational opportunities for all ākonga through a ‘futures-ready’ lens and quality learning design. She is passionate about curriculum and the potential of emerging technologies to transform educational possibilities.
Teacher at Spotswood College New Plymouth
Claire is a dedicated teacher at Spotswood College in New Plymouth, focused on teaching 21st-century skills. With a background in textiles technology, she has expanded her expertise over the past 8 years to include cooking, coding, and laser cutting, covering various aspects of the Technology Curriculum. Teaching students from year 1 to year 10, Claire integrates Design Thinking into her lessons as an Inquiry Specialist. In 2023, she joined the council at TENZ and played a key role in their conference. She is passionate about inspiring young women, promoting female role models, and highlighting opportunities in STEAM fields.
Research Director, academyEX
David Parsons is the Research Director at academyEX and Adjunct Professor at the University of Canterbury. His experience includes academic roles at Southampton Solent University in the UK and Massey University in New Zealand, and senior professional roles in the international software industry. He holds a PhD in Information Technology and has research interests in the role of AI and digital technologies in education, agile and lean thinking, curriculum design, and contemporary software development. He has produced over 200 publications, including several books on various aspects of software development. He is a Certified Member of the Association for Learning Technologies.
Principal - AI Literacy Institute
Kara Kennedy, PhD, is a scholar, author, and educator in the areas of digital and AI literacy and science fiction. She launched the AI Literacy Institute for resources and guidance on Generative AI topics, and her AI guides have been shared and translated by educators around the world. She has presented on digital and AI literacy at conferences in the US, Australia, and NZ and published journal articles on digital and information literacy and on the gender gap in Wikipedia. Her work as a learning advisor at the University of Canterbury and Manukau Institute of Technology has given her valuable insights into people’s struggles with technology, and she is keen to help close the digital divide and the gender gap in STEM.
Associate Professor, University of Canterbury
Kathryn MacCallum is an Associate Professor of Digital Education Futures at the University of Canterbury. As Director of the Digital Education Futures Lab, she leads a community of researchers exploring digital technologies in education across all contexts, from kindergarten to tertiary education. Kathryn's research focuses on the role and impact of technology in education, particularly how emerging technologies like AI can support the development of digital literacies and how this shifts educational practices and norms. Her innovative work has influenced educational practices in New Zealand and internationally. Kathryn has published extensively and serves as editor-in-chief for several leading international journals.
Founder of She Sharp and Senior lecturer at AUT
Dr Mahsa Mohaghegh is a Senior Lecturer and Director of Women in Tech in AUT’s School of Computer, Engineering, and Mathematical Sciences. She is a well-recognised leader in AI and machine learning and is also the founder of the charitable trust She Sharp. She founded She# in the hope to bring about the much-needed change in the gender split in tech and believes that we must work together to solve this!
In 2019 she was the Champion Award winner of the YWCA Equal Pay awards, and in 2020 presented the Massey University Distinguished Alumni Award.
Deputy Chair - TENZ Council
Munireh serves as the Deputy Chair on the TENZ council and is Poutakawaenga mō te Pūtake Whakawhanaungatanga - Facilitator for the Whakawhanaungatanga Principle. She earned her Master’s in Computer Sciences from Université Paul Sabatier in France and began her career as a Software Engineer, crafting e-commerce websites for major international companies. In 2021, she made the exciting decision to become a teacher, aiming to enhance diversity and inclusion in Computer Sciences and Digital Technologies. Now, as the Leader of Learning for Digital Technology at Fraser High School, she strives to empower young women and support them in their journeys in STEMM, particularly in Computer Science.
Senior Curriculum Leader - Rototuna Junior High Sc
Alex is a Teacher, Musician, and Programming Enthusiast, leads Kerikeri High School's Digital Tech department for 4 years. Now, he's taking his talents to Rototuna Junior High School in Waikato. Alex combines code and creativity to craft generative art and music, even exploring the synergy between Digital Tech and other subjects. With a Bachelors in Music and experience as a Lecturer and Programme Administrator at Massey and Victoria University, his global performances include Singapore, Korea, China, Indonesia, Australia, and Antarctica. Alex relishes the switch to Digital Tech, making technology a canvas for creativity.
Head of Impact, Growth Culture
As a seasoned education leader with over two decades of experience, Bex Rose is dedicated to empowering educators to embrace the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. With a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, Bex has established herself as a passionate facilitator and mentor. In her role as Head of Impact at Growth Culture, she is also a seasoned leadership facilitator with a proven track record of guiding educational leaders to develop their skills, unlock their potential, and drive positive change. Bex is a driving force in shaping the future of education in New Zealand.
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PhD student at the University of Canterbury
Henry is a PhD student at the University of Canterbury, supervised by Tim Bell in the Computer Science Education Research Group, a.k.a the Department of Fun Stuff. His current area of research deals with automating the NCEA level one programming standard, which aims to save teachers time, improve student outcomes, and increase the equity of programming education nationwide. He is also a stand-up comedian, hosting comedy shows in Christchurch, and a big fan of the TV show Survivor, which he talks about weekly on his YouTube channel.
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Kami - Senior Product Marketer
Paul Savage, Senior Product Marketer at Kami, brings a unique blend of educational expertise and product innovation to the workshop. With a background as a former adult education teacher and over 20 years of global product marketing experience. His mission is to bring educators tools that break down barriers in education, ensuring equitable learning opportunities for all students. Paul’s passion for blending pedagogy with technology drives his commitment to transforming classrooms into engaging, supportive environments for students of all backgrounds.
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Digital Technologies Teacher, Burnside High School
Steve is a digital technologies teacher at Burnside High School in Christchurch and a member of the DTTA committee. He has more than a decade of experience and takes his passion for game development and programming into his work, having created NCEA programmes of learning that let kids make games and applications for NCEA credits. Steve is committed to sharing his passion and is a founding member and content creator for Techquity, as well as having 4.3k subscribers on his game dev focussed Youtube channel!
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Benny has been a Science teacher at Rototuna Senior High for 5 years, pioneering AI tool integration in the classroom and teaching prompt engineering. He leads a project with the Asia-Europe Foundation to develop a personal AI coach for students and facilitates a nationwide program with Teach Development Aotearoa to empower educators in AI literacy. As a member of AI Forum Aotearoa, he contributes to the education sector and LLM working group. With certifications from Google and Deeplearning.AI, Benny leverages technology to create human-centric, critical thinking-driven learning environments.
Geri Harris is a senior lecturer at AUT Business School. She is a technology futurist, who seeks solutions to real-world problems across disciplines. With a PhD in Information Systems from UNSW Sydney, she has lectured technology and business subjects for 12+ years and has 13+ years of consulting experience. Her philosophy is to inspire collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation; challenging the status quo. Geri is passionate about integrating AI into all aspects of education.
Paula Gair began her career in Digital Transformation for international Not For Profits, living in the Americas and Europe for over a decade before returning to New Zealand. She completed a Masters of Technological Futures in 2017, focusing on the human aspects of cyber security, privacy, and online harm, including in school communities. Paula is involved in AI impact through digital spaces and social media, advocating for safe, ethical, and responsible AI use. She advises Masters students at AcademyEX on emerging technology, AI as a research tool, and cyber security. Paula is also a School Trustee focused on AI Governance and Risk.
Margot is a retired educator and programmer who began her career as a Polytech lecturer before spending 20 years teaching Maths and Computing, including NCEA and Cambridge systems. Frustrated by the lack of programming in the NZ curriculum, she became involved with CSTA and NZACDITT, co-authoring the report *Evaluation of Technology Achievement Standards for use in New Zealand Secondary School Computing Education*, which contributed to the 2011 DT Achievement Standards process. Since 2006, she has served as Executive Director of the Informatics Olympiad, established Bebras in NZ, and organized PC4G to improve gender balance in computing, especially at the IOI level.
Google supports all Kiwis towards a digital future. Google New Zealand started with just one person in 2007 and has grown to around 50 people now based in Auckland and Wellington. The team works to help Kiwis find new ways to collaborate, reach audiences and get things done. Google is committed to helping all Kiwis with the digital knowledge and capabilities they need now and in the future.
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is New Zealand's leading modern university and one of the largest universities in the country. Renowned for its innovative teaching and strong emphasis on real-world learning, AUT offers a diverse range of programs across fields like business, engineering, health sciences, and creative technologies. Located in Auckland, the university is a hub for cutting-edge research, with a focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, and sports science. AUT is committed to creating a vibrant, inclusive community that prepares students for global careers, making it a key player in New Zealand's educational landscape.
Kami is an instructional platform that integrates with popular LMS to offer accessible annotation, streamlined instruction and assessment, and greater insights. Kami aligns with WCAG 2.1 AA standards, supporting student-centered learning. Time-saving features enhance instruction, while AI-powered questions speed up online test prep and assessments. Key performance metrics allow teachers to edit classwork and assessments instantly. Everything you need for every student to succeed.
Technology Education New Zealand (TENZ) is a non profit professional, collaborative association, promoting and supporting all levels of technology education in Aotearoa New Zealand. TENZ is organised by teachers for teachers and our aim is to enhance the learning and teaching of technology by creating a well informed, well connected, supportive, and sustainable professional community that has a strong voice and provides effective advocacy for technology education.
academyEX empowers diverse learners who are change makers, leaders and innovators. Our students range from educators, business owners, ambitious career-changers, community leaders and lifelong learners, ready to reshape their futures and do the best work of their lives. From micro-credentials to Masters programmes, we’re not your typical education provider. We’re a community of industry experts, and visionary thinkers who believe in learning that creates positive change in a fast paced world. Our unique approach blends practical skills with forward-thinking strategies, preparing you for the challenges of today and the possibilities of tomorrow. Come and meet the students who are ready to change the world alongside you. Find your EXfactor at academyEX.
Anew® is a problem-solving company and single-use bottles are a problem. At Anew we’re bending the linear lifecycle of single-use water bottles into a circular one, encouraging reuse, before they’re recycled, and made anew.Anew’s goal is to keep materials in circulation for as long as possible and enable other businesses to be more sustainable. Anew provides packaging consultancy, design, manufacturing, bottle collection, washing and recycling. The Anew® packaging system is a convenient bolt-on, circular ecosystem designed to integrate with current infrastructure to enable mass adoption.
Auckland Unlimited boosts Auckland’s appeal for living, working, visiting, investing, and doing business. As an Auckland Council-controlled organization, it enhances cultural, social, and economic benefits for residents and visitors. Auckland Unlimited drives investment and innovation, supports local businesses, and enriches the city’s cultural vibrancy. It builds on its founding organizations' legacy to lead in growth industries and attract transformative investments, guided by the principle of kotahitanga, or shared purpose.
AUT City Campus is in the heart of Auckland and is surrounded by bus stops and is also close to motorway entry/exits. You can easily commute to AUT through Auckland Public Transport.
Because of the high demand for parking in the central city, AUT can’t provide on-site parking for city-based students or event attendees during the day. It’s a good idea to consider other transport options, like public transport or carpooling. You can park off street (pay and display) or at the nearest Wilson Parking.
AUT is the University for the Changing World. Established in 2001, it’s young, vibrant and future focused offering outstanding opportunities for development and innovation.
We are in QS’s top 3% of rankings and feature in the Times Higher Education (THE) Top 150 universities under 50 years old. In 2016 THE also named AUT as the 19th most international university in the world.There are five faculties at AUT: Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies, Faculty of Culture and Society; Faculty of Business, Economics and Law; Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, and Te Ara Poutama – Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Development.
For all workshop related queries please contact workshop organizer
Email:
mahsa.mohaghegh@aut.ac.nzPhone:
123 4567 899 Ext: 123
