Goodstart hosts three day conference with international experts

Goodstart Early Learning recently hosted a three day intensive conference with international early learning and technology experts to map the future use of technology to assist children, educators and families.

The 2022 Thought Leaders meeting spent three days wrestling with the opportunities and challenges technology offers through the lens of early childhood education and care (ECEC).

The conference was chaired by Goodstart Board member, Sir Kevan Collins and included academics Professor Ted Melhuish (University of Oxford), Professor Paul Leseman (University of Utrecht), Professor Susan Danby and Associate Professor Lennie Barblett from the Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, Associate Professor Steven Howard (University of Wollongong) and Senior Lecturer, Dr Kate Highfield from the Australian Catholic University.

Also present were key education and technology leaders including Microsoft’s Education Chief Technology Officer, Serena Sacks-Mandel, colleagues from Microsoft’s Asia Pacific offices and PWC’s key education and policy experts, and well known educational curriculum leader, Dr Phil Lambert among others.

Important insights about best practice and next practice were shared by Goodstart Centre Directors Nathasha Hill (Goodstart Burleigh), Jacalynn McDonald, (Goodstart Baringa) and Renee Mitchell (Goodstart Red Hill).

While Goodstart has brought together experts and thinkers to collaborate on all things ECEC since 2014, CEO Julia Davison said this year’s technological focus will be invaluable as the provider works alongside Australian and International technology companies to plan for “the next leap” in resources to support children’s learning and development. 

“Over the course of the conference our Centre Leaders have helped attendees understand the opportunities and challenges of the use and development of technology to support children’s learning,” Ms Davison said. 

“Children, families and our centre teams will benefit in the years to come from the insights, observations and wise counsel to this year’s Thought Leaders Advisory Group meeting,” she added, thanking sponsor Woolworths for its support in bringing the event to life.