Australia’s Best Teachers 2023: Digital technologies teacher David Titherley praised for his unique approach to teaching

After 19 years as a teacher, David Titherley says students learn how to work with, instead of against, the rapid technological changes of the 21st century.

The Tasmanian government has put its support behind a countrywide drive to elevate the profession of teaching, touting it as a “key priority” under the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan.

Part of the strategy is to highlight the work of great ­educators such as digital technologies teacher David Titherley.

Mr Titherley, from Waimea Heights Primary School in Sandy Bay, received the 2022 Tasmanian STEM Primary Teacher of the Year award for his “innovative and creative approaches to inspire his students’ passion and achievement for STEM”.

After 19 years as a teacher, Mr Titherley said the rapid technological changes of the 21st century combined with the thrill of guiding students through them was a major part of his job satisfaction.

“I do a lot of work with Minecraft education which a lot of students are using around the world,” Mr Titherley said. “Minecraft education can be used in the design process, for example they’ve used it in designing new furniture for an outdoor area.”

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He said this sort of project-based learning had made some of the biggest impacts on students.

“Students were able to find out what people like in furniture and then they can build it within Minecraft, then we export the models as 3D models and put it on an iPad with Adobe Aero, which is an augmented reality app, and you can place it in the space.

“If the students know that what they’re doing has real world implications, then it has more meaning to them,” he said.

Digital technologies teacher David Titherley at Waimea Heights Primary School in Sandy Bay Tasmania. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“I try to embed the understanding that the 21st century thinker needs to be able to use these tools to design and collaborate because we’re all going to have to learn how to work with AI (artificial intelligence).”

School principal Amy Vince said Mr Titherley’s “passionate and enthusiastic” approach to teaching saw him continually strive to deliver “relevant, engaging and interesting” learning programs.

“Our community highly values Dave’s teaching approach and he is well respected amongst the community and his colleagues,” she said. “It has been a joy for me to see Dave develop himself ­professionally in this field and support our students with these opportunities to be authentic problems solvers.”

“Dave nurtures students to overcome obstacles or lack of confidence to have a growth mindset approach to learning digital technologies.”

Education Minister Roger Jaensch said the state was committed to demonstrating its investment into the education system.

“David’s receipt of the Tasmanian STEM Primary Teacher of the Year award is fantastic recognition for his innovative and creative approaches to inspire his students’ passion and achievement for STEM,” Mr Jaensch said.

“We know that, after parents, teachers (and school leaders) have the biggest influence in improving educational outcomes. That is why the Tasmanian Government is committed to supporting our highly valued teaching and education workforce, all of whom are vitally important.”

Originally published as Australia’s Best Teachers 2023: Digital technologies teacher David Titherley praised for his unique approach to teaching