Technology Convergence Education in the Creative Arts? Sounds like yet another educational buzz policy doesn’t it? Even though I coined the phrase, I still look at it and question whether I really want to be associated with that kind of alienating educational jargon. In the end, I leave it there, because, in all honesty, it describes accurately and succintly what it is that I do. What do I do, I hear you ask. Well, I’ll start from the beginning.

After leaving school I enrolled in the BA(Contemporary Music) at Southern Cross University, Lismore (Northern New South Wales, Australia) whereby I began study as a Saxophone Major. However, my schizophrenic musical nature (ie. I could never just focus on one instrument or style) meant a move to Composition was a more apt course of study. It was here, back in the early days of the net (I have a 14 year old email address) that I embraced its power to make my life a little easier. No more did I need to sit for hours deciphering the coded dialect of dyslexic Rock artists with my trusty Discman, I could go to the Ultimate Band List site and print off the lyrics. How awesome!! How cool!!

After the BA I bought myself (just kidding) a Graduate Diploma of Education and a job with Education Queensland as a secondary Music teacher. Throughout my career I’ve taught Music, Music Industry Skills, Instrumental Music, Drama, English and History but it is my role as a utility Arts’ teacher that brings me here. You see, while my official role may have “Music” or “Drama” teacher, I have worked extensively with every Dance, Visual Art and Film & Television department that has operated in the schools at which I was employed. I was “Mr Computer” and “Mr ‘How do I….?’” consistently. I’d be the one to establish a relationship with the IT people in the school and so support in this area was more forthcoming than previously. Was I a messiah? It felt like it sometimes, but no! I’m simply fortunate enough to have an interest in technology and be able to use it.

My name is Kristian Jackson and this is my space. It can be your space too if you’d like to join me, I welcome your comments, ideas, feedback and visions.