Thank you all so much!

We want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone that attended the Queensland Education Resources Expo (QUEDREX) over the weekend!
The feedback we have received so far, from both visitor surveys and comments from exhibitor staff at the event has been extremely positive. 

We hope you all were able to gather valuable information and learn a lot. We look forward to seeing you all again in 2014. 

For more information on exhibitors you may have missed and further announcements please click to read the QUEDREX Facebook page or @QUEDREX on Twitter.

GUEST POST: Four Ways to Reinvent Maths Teaching and Learning

1. Expect Success

Students can all achieve success in maths, given the right sort of support. Let your students know you believe in them, that you know they can improve in maths skills, and that you are there for them if they get stuck.

2. Make Number Fact Memorisation a Priority

There can be little doubt: knowing your number facts off by heart is essential for making progress in maths later on. Students who have to rely on their fingers or a calculator to find the answer to a question like "4 x 6" will be hampered from success in maths in the future, maybe for the rest of their lives.

Use a strategy-based approach to help students to understand the numbers involved and how they relate to each other, then give short, regular practice sessions to speed up response times. Teachers using our materials report over and over that this really gets results.

3. More Showing, Less Telling

In storywriting, experts tell us that if you have to tell the reader something, that will be much less compelling than if you show it. In maths, the same could be said of learning a new mathematical process, such as simplifying a fraction. For generations, teachers have told students how to follow a process, rather than showing students what is happening and giving students the space to figure out the meaning themselves.

4. Allow Time for Thinking

There is a lot of pressure on teachers to "cover" the curriculum, and to get through the textbook. Often, students fall behind where they should be in maths. But simply talking faster or giving more homework to get kids to catch up is unlikely to help solve the core problem: they just do not understand the concepts.

Why not have certain lessons where the intention is not to finish 20 practice problems before morning tea, but to have an extended investigation of a maths process using physical materials, visual models on the data projector, butcher's paper and pens; and help students to figure out how it all makes sense? 

Maybe the kids will only complete 2 or 3 examples. But if they understand what they are doing, the learning is much more likely to "stick". 

This post has been provided by Dr Peter Price Classroom Professor. At QUEDREX 2013, Peter will present workshops on teaching number facts and fractions on the 24 & 25 August 2013 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

For more details about the Queensland Education Resources Expo and to register for free tickets, please go to www.quedrex.com.au and click through the information tabs. 

Would your workplace be over the moon to win an Interactive Whiteboard Package?

If you have the greatest number of staff visiting QUEDREX this year your workplace will win!

The prize valued at over $7,500 from Technology Core, at site 48 & 59, previously trading as TeamBoard Australia, is a leading supplier of interactive technologies, services and solutions specifically tailored to meet the evolving needs of the Education market in Australia.

They are the proud supplier on the QLD PSA Government Contract.

Please click the link to visit the Terms and Conditions of this competition.

On Sunday 25th August, come to the seminar room at QUEDREX from 1:15pm for information on a "Smart School Solution". 

PNF is the premier manufacturer of innovative interactive devices with "State-of the Art" digital writing technology. 

They are a unique company holding a full product line of interactive input devices covering from smartphone, tablet pad, laptop to portable interactive whiteboard system supporting up-to 120 inches projected screen with Smart Classroom Solution. 

If you miss the seminar and want to see the products in action, come to site 18 & 34 at QUEDREX this weekend.

QUEDREX 2013 - this weekend!

Educators will not want to miss the Queensland Education Resources Expo, the largest education trade show in the state next weekend!

Principals, school business managers, teachers, lecturers, support staff, librarians and pre-service teachers mark your diary and remind your colleagues about this must see Expo!

Discover, test and purchase resources for your educational institution and build on your professional development. Whether you are involved in early childhood, through to school level or higher education, the Queensland Education Resources Expo will showcase innovative ideas, products and services to enhance your career and workplace.

At the event, visitors will have access to:
-       Hundreds of education resources and ideas.
-       Have access to over thirty seminar and workshop presentations.
-       Request a certificate of attendance for up to ten hours of professional development whilst at the event.
-       Be in the draw to WIN an Apple iPad for yourself.
-       Be in the draw to WIN an interactive whiteboard package valued over $7,500!
-       Pick up give-aways and samples.
-       Network and collaborate with industry professionals and organisations.
-       Find the best up-to-date information and resources all in one location!Visit www.quedrex.com.au for free registration or keep up to date on Facebook and Twitter

Online resources designed to be genuinely engaging, digestible, and enjoyable for learners...

OCA Platinum specialise in developing and publishing competency based ONLINE training and assessment resources across dozens of sectors.

Via the online resource library they offer VET providers over 230 units and 20 plus full qualifications. 

The philosophy: “To push the boundaries of eLearning and offer everyday Australian’s quality, affordable education.”

They have 3 types of products and services:

• ELearning Development
• Highly sophisticated LMS/SMS tailored for eLearning
• Content Library (the licensing of online resources available at a unit & complete course level)

For more information come speak with staff at site 83 during QUEDREX.

EVENT UPDATE: We are excited to announce that Karen Bonanno, the Founder and Managing Director of Eduwebinar will be presenting at QUEDREX.

Register for your free ticket on the QUEDREX website for the session: 'Why webinars?' at 2:15 - 2:45pm on Saturday 24 August 2013 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Karen has over 30 years' experience working in government and non-government schools as a secondary teacher, teacher librarian, head of department, acting deputy principal, education officer and education consultant.

In April 2012, Karen was named an international Learning Commons Visionary by the editors of the 'Teacher Librarian: the Journal for School Library Professionals'.

Eduwebinar is a professional learning network site that provides access to quality professional learning experiences in a webinar environment. The webinars are delivered direct to your desktop in the comfort of your own home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

GUEST POST: Why Will Queensland Teachers Give up a Weekend in August to Attend an Expo?

Teachers work hard, probably harder than most non-educators realise.
So why would they give up a Saturday or Sunday in August, just to attend an expo?

QUEDREX, the Queensland Education Resources Expo, is no ordinary trade show. Firstly, over 100 local and international suppliers displaying their latest classroom resources, aimed squarely at classroom teachers. And of course there will be lots of competitions, give-aways and special offers not available anywhere else.
But what truly separates QUEDREX from a mere trade show is the free professional development seminars and workshops for teachers. With a total of 36 sessions over the two days, on topics as diverse as occupational therapy, work/life balance, superannuation, dyslexia, ICTs, chess clubs, career development and maths.

Attendance certificates are offered to attendees to help them meet their continuing registration requirements of the QCT.

This guest post has been provided by Dr Peter Price, who will be present on stand 74 at the expo for Classroom Professor. At QUEDREX 2013, Peter will present workshops on teaching number facts and fractions on both days. 

Goodstart Early Learning - workshop information

On Sunday 25th August, come to the workshop from 11:15am to here more on ‘Inspiring Careers – Goodstart Early Learning’

Content will include:

• An introduction to Goodstart Early Learning

• An introduction to working in the Early Learning sector

• Benefits of working at Goodstart as an ECT

• Qualification requirements – how do I transition from primary etc over to the early years.

Take the next step in your teaching career with Australia’s largest early learning provider, Goodstart Early Learning. Be part of a not-for-profit organisation that invests in its people, while helping to realise the vision for all Australia’s children to have the best possible start in life. With flexible working arrangements and childcare fee discounts on offer, they will look after you. 

Find out more on stand 23 and 29 at QUEDREX on next weekend,  24 and 25 August at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. 

Seminars and Workshop timetable reminder

Only one more week until QUEDREX 2013! Don't forget to register and print off your tickets.

In the lead up to the event this month, we are happy to remind you to head over to the Presentations tab of the website.

Viewing and printing this in advance, is an excellent way to plan your visit to the expo and be sure that you don't miss any informative sessions.