To use technology for learning at home access and the ability to use available technology is required.
Using technology
Use technology to deliver and enhance the remote learning experience for students and communicate with your school community.
Policy Library links
Refer to the Technology in Schools policy and Technology in Schools procedure for the mandatory requirements around technology in schools.
What technology is for
When it is available, staff, students and even parents can use technology to support learning from home.
Adopt technology to be more efficient or do something you can’t otherwise do. Computers, tablets or smart phones help people do three things:
- Investigate – find, manipulate and evaluate data and information.
- Create – produce a new product or plan. Often this is a response to the conclusions of an investigation.
- Communicate – deliver or receive information.
To enhance the learning experience with technology use it to personalise learning for students and to connect students to learning opportunities they are not otherwise able access.
Our partnerships help teachers and students collaborate, share, and communicate with technology as part of the learning environment.
Students and teachers can access innovative technology solutions to enable learning anywhere anytime. The department works with technology vendors to offer standard commercial software and custom-built learning tools. Avoid using software or platforms from other third parties unless you have a need that department tools can’t address.
Use the resources and links below to support learning with technology.
School staff
Schools can loan access devices for use when learning at home. Read how this might be achieved on Digital equity. Provide learning delivery options for students who do not have a computer or the internet at home.
Student who have internet and a computer also need access to school or department learning platforms.
Ensure students know their department password and how to reset it through the student portal.
Delegate Educational Management Utility (EMU) access to teachers via the Principals Access Management Utility (AMU)External link so teachers can reset student passwords. Make sure teacher know how to use EMU to reset student password.
Support students to use Google ClassroomExternal link or Microsoft TeamsExternal link or other school learning management solutions.
Learn to use
Visit the Technology 4 Learning websiteExternal link for step by step guides on teaching with technology. There are dedicated pages on Microsoft TeamsExternal link and Google ClassroomExternal link with short demonstration videos on how to get started. Plus there are regular webinarsExternal link to boost your skills, which are recorded to view on demandExternal link.
Get started on the Digital Learning Selector. The Selector contains information about DoE provided and other popular learning technologies. On each learning tool card find links to teacher identified professional learning.
Department staff and Stage 6 students can freely access a wide variety of training on LinkedIn Learning.
Complete department provided teacher professional learning to use technology on the Learning on demand technology page.
Self help and collaboration with teachers
Read frequently asked questions about the major platforms schools are using to support learning from home:
- read Microsoft Teams FAQsExternal link
- read G Suite for Education FAQsExternal link
- read Adobe Connect FAQsExternal link
- find help with Zoom for department teachers.
The Technology for Learning T4L websiteExternal link is continually updated. The T4L team have produced a special edition of magazine.T4LExternal link with a focus on taking your classroom online and also have a companion independent learning resource for students T4L KidsExternal link.
Department teachers can get and give support through peer to peer discussion about learning from home and using online platforms in the Learning from home Yammer groupExternal link. Join the Statewide staffrooms for curriculum specific information and support.
Lessons using telepresence
In some situations where individual students are unable to attend school (including for health reasons) a telepresence robot may be used. This technology enables a student to have a physical presence within the classroom, which increases their connectedness and supports their learning.
For information on telepresence robots in the classroom:
- read this handout (PDF 919KB)
- read this comprehensive report (PDF 5.28MB) on telepresence
- watch this video demonstrating telepresenceExternal link.
Get answers to common questions about using live video with students and read the full guidelines for lessons using live video (PDF 234KB) can also inform your use of telepresence technology.
If you need a telepresence robot, the Technology 4 Learning Team are running a pilot of this technology. Please email the team for further information.