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This paper reports on a study that sought to explore the pedagogical reasoning behind the use of ICT in secondary teachers' classes. In particular, it explored the question of whether their use of ICT was driven by pedagogical ideals for meaningful learning or whether they were using technology for other purposes. Eighteen teachers from two Australian regional secondary schools were asked how they currently use and integrate ICT into their regular curriculum practices and their reasons for so doing. This paper specifically takes an evaluative look at the pedagogical reasons behind teachers' attitudes, views and reasons for using ICT as a learning vehicle. The study revealed that ICT was largely being used for ICT's sake rather than for any convincing or meaningful pedagogical purpose.

This paper explores two different schools' approaches to implementing an iPad program and a Netbook program to a year level of students. The aim of the study was to determine how these mobile devices were being used in the classroom and whether they enhanced teaching and learning. The experiences of students and parents were obtained through questionnaires and the teacher's reflections were obtained through interviews. The data were triangulated to determine how iPads and Netbooks were utilised in the classroom, and if there were any concerns about the use of each device. The research findings are presented in a thematic style, and provide an insight into how each device is used in a variety of subjects and at home. The paper concludes with some recommendations to inform school principals and leaders about the effectiveness of these devices as an educational tool. (Contains 1 table and 4 figures.)

Students learning in regional, rural and remote locations in Queensland are currently experiencing a "turn-off" in relation to school-based ICT in the first three years of high school. At the same time, students are experiencing increasing levels of interest and motivation from their use of ICT at home. Given the importance of ICT as an enabling factor in transforming pedagogy and bridging the barriers of distance, it is essential that educators connect with learners' experiences in order to devise strategies to ensure that students have increasing levels of engagement with ICT across the curriculum rather than the diminishing levels of satisfaction that are currently evident. This paper reports preliminary findings from the large study of Year 8, 9 and 10 students and focuses on data from students in regional, rural and remote schools (n = 629), which was extracted from the full dataset of 1,292. This research employed a case study approach using surveys, interviews and focus groups with students and teachers. This paper presents both quantitative and qualitative evidence indicating that home-based ICT usage was considered more interesting and preferred compared with school-based ICT usage. Explanations for why this trend is occurring will be discussed. (Contains 3 figures.)

Young people's online safety continues to be a high priority for educators and parents. Cybersafety policies and educational programs are continually updated and revised to accommodate for the innovative ways they engage with digital culture. However, empirical research has shown that despite these efforts young people, especially teen girls, continue to experience online problems. To date gender-specific guidelines for cybersafety practice remain in their infancy. This paper provides new evidence suggesting that teen girls' online practices with peers and close friends have important implications for cybersafety policy. Drawing on survey data and group interview responses from girls 13 years of age, the article discusses how the girls managed and negotiated their daily experiences with peers and close friends in online contexts. The girls' online practices are offered for consideration in cybersafety policy development and curriculum planning.

The purpose of this study was to field-test several conferencing technologies in regional schools in Victoria to determine whether the technologies are appropriate for the needs of the university supervisor, trainee teachers and supervising teachers with regard to practicum placements. The study also explored the potential of technology for other related purposes. Three technologies (m-View, Skype, Adobe Connect) were trialed. Pre-service teachers reflected on the conferencing experience and university supervisors compared the remote supervision using the technologies with traditional on-site supervision. This paper describes the findings of the project and suggests implications for professional experience and pedagogy.

Virtual worlds are highly immersive, engaging and popular computer mediated environments being explored by children and adults. Why then aren't more teachers using virtual worlds in the classroom with primary and secondary school students? Reasons often cited are the learning required to master the technology, low-end graphics cards, poor connectivity and the firewall. A solution to one of these barriers is to use a virtual world that can operate inside the firewall locally on school computers. The virtual world Sim-on-a-Stick provides a four region virtual world on a USB flash drive that is free and fully functional without accessing a network. Sim-on-a-Stick was used in a public primary school in regional Australia during term one 2012. This paper presents a case study outlining the implementation and integration of virtual worlds by a pre-service teacher, classroom teacher and her class. (Contains 4 figures and 2 tables.)

There has been considerable investment in the use of interactive whiteboard technology in Australia, particularly in primary schools. School leaders and teachers are seeking advice on effective ways to support teachers' pedagogical development to achieve the potential benefits of these devices. Using activity theory as a framework for lesson observation, analysis and interview data, this paper presents vignettes to illustrate major tensions in the uptake and use of interactive whiteboards (IWBs) to support student learning across the curriculum in one primary school. The findings suggest that the resolution of these major tensions is critical to teachers' effective use of the technology. (Contains 1 table and 1 figure.)

This paper describes a developmental model that can be used to evaluate and guide teacher reflection ond progress along a continuum in order to maximise the potential learning benefits afforded by interactive whiteboards. The model was developed using classroom observations and semi-structured interviews with eight teachers over o period of eighteen months in one South Australian primary school.

Concomitant with the many initiatives concerned with ICT curriculum integration are requirements for measurement of the student outcomes of that integration, in keeping with recent education priorities that emphasize outcomes and accountability. However researching and measuring the impact of ICT initiatives has been found to be a significant challenge. In Queensland (Australia) an instrument to measure ICT curriculum integration quantitatively has been developed, trialled and evaluated. This paper provides an overview of the issues identified by teachers with respect to the affordances and constraints related to the use of the instrument as they experienced it during the trial. The talk is analysed quantitatively using Leximancer software, and qualitatively by thematic analysis. This analysis identifies a number of ramifications for the particular instrument being evaluated, as well as for all instruments with the general intention of measuring ICT curriculum integration. (Contains 2 tables and 2 figures.)

This paper reports preliminary work in an ARC Linkage Project involving collaboration among James Cook University, Education Queensland, and Technology One (a Queensland based company). The project aims to identify and interpret factors associated with low female participation rates in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) professional level occupations and education pathways. Data is being collected using qualitative and quantitative methods. A survey is being administered to over 6,000 year 11 and 12 female high school students in Queensland to provide a comprehensive database that will be augmented with individual and focus group interviews. An online survey will be administered to women working in ICT industries. Reference groups representing EQ and ICT industries have been established to provide consultative advice and feedback throughout the project, and to function as working groups during the data analysis and interpretation phases. Project results will inform the development of strategic response options for education systems and ICT industries and suggest further research and industry-based initiatives designed to enhance female participation rates. (Contains 2 endnotes.)

This paper is the second part of a longitudinal study on the reliability of and access to ICT technologies in remote schools in north Western Australia [WA]. Part One was featured in the last issue of "AEC" ["Australian Educational Computing"]. It was an investigation into the access and practicalities of online opportunities for students and teachers in two remote government schools, in 2001. The same teachers, still working in the North West of WA were revisited and interviewed in 2003. The latest results indicate that while infrastructure is now in place to allow broadband Internet access, this access is not yet reliable. Online learning is being hindered by this lack of reliability and also accessibility. The teachers working in these isolated schools are not yet equipped to undertake online study. (Contains 3 figures.) [For Part 1, see EJ874302.]

This paper provides case studies that report on an ethnographic action research study to investigate the potential of the combination of wireless networking and portable computing at a primary school in Australia. Discusses student research projects, personal Web pages, making digital movies, student evaluations, and results of student interviews. (Author/LRW)