We are very excited to announce our Keynote speaker for this year’s teaching and learning showcase, Dr Iain Hay from Macquarie University.

Speaker Bio:


Dr Iain Hay holds the executive position of Director of Professional Learning and Engagement in the Macquarie School of Education, Faculty of Arts, at Macquarie University and he is also the Academic Director of the Academy of Continuing Professional Development in Education (ACPDE). He is a member of the Australian College of Educators and is a registered teacher with the Queensland College of Teachers. He has over 30 years of experience working across early childhood, primary and secondary schools in various education sectors including Catholic, independent/private and government schools in Queensland, NSW and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) as well as in tertiary sectors in Australia, Canada and China. He previously was an Associate Professor in Education at the University of Canberra. Iain has been an adult educator, curriculum developer, policy advisor, public servant, standards analyst, researcher and academic. He held the position of senior project officer in Gender Equity and Student Engagement, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education in Queensland. He was also the senior education officer for Student Welfare and Support in the NSW Department of Education and Training.

Iain has extensive experience in adult education, workplace training and short course development and delivery. He has worked with the Australian Academy of Science, since 1994 in the development and delivery of its science education professional development courses for teachers. Iain’s PhD research formed the basis of the ACT Government’s establishment of a $14.5M purpose built education centre for young parents and their children at Canberra College. Iain’s current role at Macquarie University requires him to develop and foster strategic relationships with various institutions, key stakeholders, schools, government and industry. He teaches in the areas of professional experience, teaching performance and assessment, quality teaching and learning. Iain also co-ordinates the 4th Year teacher education transition to profession program for students at Macquarie University.

Abstract and Presentation

Expectations of digital natives in your class: Are universities really prepared for students exposed to modern approaches to education where embedded technologies support enriched learning and teaching?

2020 has been a year of great turmoil and has required adaption across many sectors in society. We have witnessed various responses to these challenges and at the same time seen great opportunities and innovation arising from these shocks to established systems. Education is an area that has not been immune to these changes. Over the past 10 years there has been a lot of discussion about modern education and supporting students in developing the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed for uncertain futures. Schools are at the forefront of engaging their learners through inquiry based approaches and technology rich environments to enhance what are known as 21st Century skills which include: creativity; collaboration; communication; information literacy; media literacy; technology literacy and flexibility. There has been an obvious shift from traditional forms of instruction in the classroom to more dynamic and responsive pedagogies to support skills development. This has become more apparent in the responses to what is viewed as the new normal of COVID19 world. This session will discuss how teacher education students and schools have responded to online and remote learning using technologies such as virtual reality, mobile devices, e-portfolio, learning management systems. Students coming into universities are digital natives who have been exposed to innovative learning and teaching approaches which are student centred and community minded. Are we ready for them? how can we as tertiary institutions continue the great work of schools in engaging our learners to meet the demands of uncertain futures.


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