CEGSA AGM: Some Historic Happenings

Mark Sparvell presenting his opening talk

For those of you who were unable to attend the recent CEGSA AGM, you missed some very historic happenings. This CEGSA AGM was filled with learning from a thought-provoking guest speaker, ceremony in the bestowing of two life memberships and the excitement of the dawn of a new era with the vote of a name change for our association. This was all supported by a very active Twitter backchannel as well as the online attendance of CEGSA members in country locations.

The evening started with an address by Mark Sparvell, Executive Consultant Innovation and ICT at Principals Australia, on Building Tomorrow, Everyday.

The room was abuzz with tweets while Mark spoke. Here are some of the thought provoking tweets that were shared by some of our attendees

David ‏@lordfolland4 Apr

What ways can we connect best practice with next practice? How can we make use of the best (most appropriate) tools? @sparvell#CEGSA

Paul Huebl ‏@paulhuebl4 Apr

If you are not contributing back to your profession, how influential are you able to be to your students? @sparvell#cegsa

Trudy Sweeney ‏@tsweeney84 Apr

@sparvell “21st century skills are about creativity, socialisation & the ability to participate and positvely contribute to society” #cegsa

Jacqui Knipe ‏@JAKnipe4 Apr

are sts passive consumers of ICT, active users or designers for an authentic audience #cegsa

Jessica Ottewell ‏@JessOttewell4 Apr

‘It isn’t just being a new teacher and connecting technology with technology.. Kids can smell a fake’ @sparvell#cegsa

After Mark’s great spotlight, our attention was turned to a very important moment in CEGSA’s  history as two of our longest standing committee members were bestowed with CEGSA Life Membership. Anne Ballard and Ralph Leonard joined Kerrie Smith in this well deserving group of people who have devoted many, many hours and much expertise in helping the educators of South Australia learn about ICT.

CEGSA president Dr Trudy Sweeney presenting Ralph Leonard’s citation

Ralph receiving his life membership

Anne Ballard receiving her life membership

At the AGM we were also able to honour some of the great work done by South Australian educators in the area of ICT. This year we were fortunate enough to not just present our own CEGSA Educator of the Year award to Christine Haynes, but also the national award of ACCE Educator of the year. We also presented Kim Martin with this year’s Leading Light.

Ralph Leonard, Tina Photakis and our wonderful sponsor from Credit Union SA presenting the ACCE and CEGSA Educator of the Year Awards for Christine Haynes — at Education Development Centre.

Tina presenting Leading Light Kim Martin with her award.

The final major event for the AGM was the vote concerning the renaming of CEGSA.  It was officially voted and accepted at the AGM that CEGSA is to be renamed EdTechSA. We are now in the process of lodging all the official paperwork and when this is approved we will launch our brand new face to the world.