The CoSN VIP Delegation to Australia

	Post Trip Follow-Up COSN VIP Delegation to Australia, 2004: ICT in Education The CoSN VIP Delegation to Australia Understanding the Australian Education System: An Overview Addressing the Challenges Establishing a Supportive Public Policy Framework Innovative Examples, Models and Leaders A Vision for the Future Trip Background and Reports Agenda Trip Blog Delegation Members Background Materials Sponsor Background Information

The CoSN VIP Delegation to Australia in November 2004 brought together representatives from four counties – the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand – to learn, listen, exchange information, and establish an ongoing dialogue for collaboration based on shared interests. We represented the private sector, government agencies, educational associations, each bringing a unique perspective to the delegation.

Despite the diversity of our backgrounds, we shared common goals: to learn how Australian educators are using technology in schools and to see what could be applied once the delegation was over and we returned home.

Video Clip of Murray Brown

During our extraordinary week of meetings and presentations we saw, heard and witnessed first hand the issues facing Australian education leaders in the digital age. We also gained an insight into the solutions that are currently being utilized and proposed.

Video Clip of James Bosco

• News Release from education.au on the Trip (PDF)
• 5AA Radio Interview with Jim Bosco (MP3)

One week in Australia hardly qualifies any of us as experts on Australian education but we have learned a lot about how Australia is making use of ed tech to make schools better places of learning for kids. We have talked with federal and state leaders and local leaders. We have seen very innovative schools. That has been a free exchange of information. There has been little inclination to posture or gloss over the tough issues we are facing. Time and again, each of us on the delegation has commented on the similarity of the problems we face. Some of the solutions which we have seen and I heard about are similar to ours back home. But many are different from our approaches and have expanded our thinking about what is possible. There is something about becoming immersed in another educational environment which enables one to look back on their own environment with fresh eyes.

Jim Bosco
Professor, Western Michigan University
Chair, CoSN International Committee