Learning Links

In a new regular feature John Treloar APAC Education Director shares some of his learnings around education. John has not only a long history with Adobe and Macromedia previously, but he is also a former teacher.

On my travels around the world physically and virtually I came across this report "Creativity in Schools in Europe: A survey of Teachers.". It summarises what I've long believed to be true: of creativity as an attribute 'that can be applied to every domain of knowledge and to every school subject'.

As I observe the developing nations and their need to embrace technology, it only goes to underpin what the report has discovered:

"Sit down with a coffee and take half an hour to read through and digest this report. It finds that, "Teachers believe to a very large extent that Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can be used to enhance creativity". This encapsulates what I believe we are already seeing in Australia: the digital revolution as driven by the Rudd government, as well as similar-paced digital learning advancements in New Zealand are ensuring our teachers and students are learning in the best possible technological environments to be creative in all aspects of teaching and learning.

Call for entries: Adobe Design Achievement Awards

Adobe is calling for entries for the tenth annual Adobe Design Achievement Awards (ADAA).

This premier competition honours the best student graphic designers, photographers, illustrators, animators, digital filmmakers, developers and computer artists from accredited higher education institutions worldwide.

For the second consecutive year, Icograda (International Council of Graphic Design Associations) is endorsing and supporting these prestigious student awards.

Adobe will host the awards ceremony during the Adobe MAX conference being held in Los Angeles in late October 2010.

"Each year, we see an increase in the quality and creativity of the student projects submitted to the Adobe Design Achievement Awards," said Mark Phibbs, APAC Marketing Director, Adobe.

"As technology developments advance at a rapid pace, we anticipate that the entries for 2010 will push the envelope in design, particularly interactive - showcasing the tremendous talent coming out of the world's accredited higher education institutions."

We'd love an Australian or New Zealand winner in 2010! To enter click here. Entries close on June 4th 2010.

Adobe Awards Scholarship at UTS

Adobe has announced the first recipient of its scholarship program running at the University of Technology, Sydney. Tom O’Fether has just completed his second year in Visual Communications and has a strong design style that will no doubt see him snapped up by one of the big agencies either here or overseas when he completes his studies.

Describing himself as having an ‘obsessive interest’ with typography, Tom admits his dream role would be art director of Wallpaper magazine, however he is keen to keep all options open. "The truth is I adore working in the visual communication field - period, and I am quite cautious locking myself into anything too specialised as I run the risk of missing out on other areas. Whatever the outcome, I’m sure I’ll enjoy what I do."

Along with allocated funding, Tom also receives a copy of Adobe Master Collection CS4 to help him with his studies.

Pixel Mash Special Event - calling for a fab four!

In Sydney on March 16-17th, Adobe is hosting the Asia Pacific Education Forum. International guests will be flying in from all over the region to hear different speakers talk about 21st Century Digital Skills.

To celebrate, Adobe is holding a one-off special Pixel Mash competition live at the venue. We're seeking four higher education students willing to battle it out to be the Winner of the 2010 Pixel Mash in Australia. If you are keen to be involved and show off you creative skills to a live audience over 15 minutes then email Clare Cahill, Adobe Education Marketing Manager before February 18th.