Our guest this conversation is none other than Summer Howarth, highly experienced and recognised educator and thriving leader here in Australia being recently acknowledged locally and globally for her skilled contribution.
We hope you share this with other family, friends and colleagues as education is everyone's business particularly as global societies need to prepare their students for balancing life, work, and personal goals in the future.
Listen in as we explore the importance of building expertise over time and the value of diverse experiences in education and current challenges especially in a time when AI and social media is very topical.
Summer discussed the evolution of mapping technology from traditional methods to modern GPS systems, drawing parallels to the current rise of AI and expressed concerns about the potential over-reliance on technology and the need for critical thinking skills, particularly in the context of AI. We agreed on the importance of engaging young people and educators in conversations about AI, emphasizing the need for guardrails and considerations in its use. Summer also highlighted the necessity of a rights-based participation approach when addressing new technologies and challenges.
We also covered the importance of considering children's views in decision-making processes, emphasizing partnership and collaboration with young people, expressed support for social media bans if implemented in a consultative manner, noting that young people often view them positively.
We explored how technology and access to devices can enhance autonomous learning, while acknowledging equity issues and the importance of place-based, generational, and narrative learning methods. Summer emphasized the role of young people in education and the need to develop technologies that support collaborative learning environments.
You may also be interested in our thoughts on the evolving role of schools and classrooms, the importance of intergenerational learning and creating meaningful, joyful experiences for students. We explored how AI could potentially streamline tasks like scheduling and record-keeping, while also raising concerns about misinformation and the need for human oversight.
Leadership is dear to us both, particularly Middle Leaders and the role of schools in fostering civic participation and digital literacy.
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To Connect with Summer:
LI: linkedin.com/in/summerhowarth
URL: eventfullearning.co/
EMAIL: summer.edusum@gmail.com
To Connect with Carrie:
LI: linkedin.com/in/carriebenedet
URL: carriebenedet.com
Email: carolinebenedet2@gmail.com
