Drones in Education

When considering the use of drones as part of learning directed by the Australian Curriculum, it is important to first consider the three-dimensional design of the Curriculum which recognises the importance of disciplinary knowledge, skills and understanding alongside general capabilities and cross-curriculum priorities.


Disciplinary knowledge, skills and understanding are described in the eight learning areas of the Australian Curriculum: English, Mathematics, Science, Health and Physical Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, The Arts, Technologies and Languages. The latter four learning areas have been written to include multiple subjects, reflecting custom and practice in the discipline. In each learning area or subject, content descriptions specify what young people will learn, and achievement standards describe the depth of understanding and the sophistication of knowledge and skill expected of students at the end of each year level or band of years.

(ACARA, https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/learning-areas/)

Recently I was involved in a panel chat about the use of drones within the Digital Technologies Curriculum.  This was organised and facilitated by the amazing Dr Catherine Ball, and also involved Anna Kinnane of the QCT and Glenn Watt of the IMPACT Centre.

We talked on many topics with the experience of the panel providing the direction for each of the conversations.  The Digital Technologies Curriculum provided a basis for rich conversations with Anna Kinnane providing insights into what the Digital Technologies Curriculum actually is and in doing so, dispelling myths about this subject area.

I had the opportunity to talk about our school’s implementation of this curriculum, giving examples of how our staff, students and community have been supported to understand this curriculum, to engage with the key elements and then be involved in a strategic roll-our of our teaching and assessment plan as we move towards 2020.

Glenn Watt was able to discuss the models of support his team at the IMPACT Centre offer learners all over the state.  This includes the Digital Technologies Curriculum but also within Critical and Creative Thinking.

Teachers gain free entry to World of Drones Education resources and within this portal are the videos of the above session.