A national conversation live from the National Library of Australia
About this Event
What is the Purpose of Education? Join us for a national conversation at the National Library of Australia Theatre in Canberra - LIVE.
Register for in-person or online.
Note. Online ticket holders will receive a Zoom link 24 hours prior to the event.
This forum brings teachers, school leaders and researchers together to explore the purposes of education in challenging times. It explores the shared role that schools, universities and public institutions play in advancing the aims of education within a resilient and forward-looking Australia.
Join us – including Professor Lisa Kervin AM, Professor Frank Bongiorno AM, Associate Professor David Rousell, Senator David Pocock, US Educator Jess Vance, educational leaders, teachers and researchers - for a day of interactive Q&As, panels, plenaries and spotlight talks to explore the outlook for education now and into the future. School educators, students and teachers represented include NSW Department of Education, Latham Primary School, Narrabundah College and Canberra Grammar School.
Our panel of educators, leaders and scholars will consider:
- What is education for?
- What kind of education do we need in challenging times?
- What role can the humanities and arts play within the new technological order?
This research forum is co-hosted and co-funded by:
- Centre for Advanced Studies in Education (University of Canberra)
- Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) - Language/ Literacy and Arts in Education Practice Resarch Special Interest Groups
- The University of Canberra Vice Chancellor’s Centre of Public Ideas
- National Library of Australia
- Dr Kate Halcrow
This event is convened and co-funded by Dr Kate Halcrow from the University of Canberra. For all inquiries regarding this event, please contact: [email protected]
Creative Arts Practitioners: As a precursor to the national forum event, a creative practice research event will take place at the Australian Botanic Gardens face-to-face only the day prior. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/arts-in-practice-research-for-exploring-education-in-challenging-times-tickets-1988058618846
Featuring: Creative-in-residence, Canberra graphic and sound artist, , has designed the poster concept and will debut original music at the conference.
Agenda
🕑: 10:00 AM - 05:30 PM
National Forum: Full Day Agenda
Host: Associate Professor Will Brehm (CASE, UC)
Info: Dr Kate Halcrow convenor of the forum and Associate Professor Will Brehm will be leading and moderating panels across the day. This day is co-funded by two UC centres of research, the Centre for Advanced Studies in Education (CASE) and Centre of Public Ideas (CoPI), together with Australian Association of Research in Education (AARE), and the National Library of Australia.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:10 AM
Acknowledgement and Introduction to the NLA and forum
Host: Director General of the NLA, Alison Dellit
🕑: 10:10 AM - 10:25 AM
Introductory short panel: What's the purpose of education?
Host: Tim McNevin, Gallilee School
Info: This panel is moderated by Dr Kate Halcrow
🕑: 10:25 AM - 11:10 AM
Plenary 1: Literacy Education in a Digital Age
Host: Professor Lisa Kervin AM, Monash University
Info: Language and literacy education is being reshaped by a world where communication, knowledge, and participation increasingly occur with digital technologies and through digital platforms. Because literacy is shaped by experiences in school as well as in homes, communities and online environments, education much account for the full ecology of spaces where learners read, create, and critique meaning. In this plenary I examine young children’s out-of-school literacy practices across home and community contexts, revealing how their everyday digital engagements offer powerful insights for rethinking literacy education in more critical and expansive ways. Literacy learners must develop and practice literacies that help them navigate algorithmic environments, evaluate information, and participate ethically in networked spaces. In this context, literacy education must empower learners to question, create, and collaborate across diverse modes and media for a range of purposes.
🕑: 11:10 AM - 11:35 AM
Spotlight on Literacy Education in Diverse Contexts
Host: Tayla MacDonald, Latham Primary School
Info: ALEA's Literacy partnership for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders program and Leading with Inquiry. Moderated by Libby Baker, Australian Literacy Educators Association
🕑: 11:35 AM - 12:35 PM
Q&A Panel 1: What kind of literacy education do we need for the future?
Host: Professor Pauline Jones, UoW
Info: This Q&A panel is moderated by Associate Professor Will Brehm (Fresh Ed Podcast/ UCanberra)
🕑: 12:35 PM - 01:20 PM
Lunch
🕑: 01:20 PM - 02:10 PM
Plenary 2: Rethinking the Purposes of Education for Regenerative Futures
Host: Associate Professor David Rousell, RMIT Melbourne
Info: This plenary includes time for audience questions, moderated by Dr Kate Halcrow
🕑: 02:10 PM - 03:05 PM
Q&A Panel 2: How might we reimagine education and schooling?
Host: Associate Prof Ann Hill, University of Canberra
Info: This Q&A panel is moderated by Associate Professor Will Brehm (Fresh Ed Podcast/ UCanberra)
🕑: 03:05 PM - 03:20 PM
Afternoon tea break
🕑: 03:20 PM - 04:05 PM
Plenary 3: Some thoughts on the future of education
Host: Professor Frank Bongiorno AM, University of Canberra
Info: This plenary includes time for audience questions, moderated by Dr Kate Halcrow
🕑: 04:05 PM - 05:05 PM
Q&A Panel 3: What is the future for education?
Host: Kimiya Almasi, Y12 student Narrabundah College
Info: This Q&A panel is moderated by Associate Professor Will Brehm (Fresh Ed Podcast/ UCanberra) and will also feature Independent Senator for the ACT, David Pocock
🕑: 04:05 PM - 05:05 PM
Q&A Panel 3: Special Guest Independent Senator David Pocock
Host: David Pocock, Independent senator for the ACT
🕑: 05:05 PM - 05:15 PM
Closing Plenary: The Purpose of Education in Challenging Times
Host: Professor the Honourable Bill Shorten UC Vice Chancellor
🕑: 05:15 PM - 05:25 PM
Forum wrap up, special thanks and group photo
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
AUD 0.00
