Tips and tricks for better usage of Oracle Academy teaching resources – guideline from practical experience, with special focus on solutions for frequent challenges

In this podcast, Dusa Vukovic, Principal of the Grammar School for Computer Science, Oracle Academy Teacher and Oracle Academy Instructor speaks from her experience using Oracle Academy materials in the classroom, as well as an instructor for Oracle Academy. She speaks about practical things teachers will discover while using Oracle Academy curriculum in their classrooms. ------------------------------------------ Episode Transcript: 00:00:00:00 - 00:00:37:04 Unknown Welcome to the Oracle Academy Tech Chat. This podcast provides educators and students in-depth discussions with thought leaders around computer science, cloud technologies, and software design to help students on their journey to becoming industry ready technology leaders of the future. Let's get started. Welcome to Oracle Academy Tech Chat, where we discuss how Oracle Academy helps prepare the next generation's workforce. 00:00:37:06 - 00:01:10:06 Unknown I'm your host, Ljiljana Krkić. Oracle Academy program manager. In this episode, I'm delighted to be joined by Dawsonville College principal of the Grammar School for Computer Science. Oracle Academy teacher and Oracle Academy instructor. She will speak about her experience using Oracle Academy materials in her classroom with her students, as well as an instructor for Oracle Academy. She will speak about practical things teachers will discover while using Oracle Academy curriculum in their classrooms. 00:01:10:08 - 00:01:37:02 Unknown Hi, Dusa. Welcome. Could you please tell us a little bit about your background and your current role? Hello. And also coach, I'm the principal of the grammar school for computer science. It's a school with a especially demanding curriculum designed for students talented in computer science. I have more than 20 years of experience in teaching programing in database topics. 00:01:37:04 - 00:02:06:17 Unknown I'm also author of the several textbook, on computer science since 2010. I have been an instructor for teacher courses within the Oracle Academy program, leading training sessions in Serbia, Montenegro, Turkey, Austria and the Czech Republic. This is really impressive. And could you please describe in more details your early experience with Oracle Academy, and what led you to become an Oracle Academy member as a teacher? 00:02:06:17 - 00:02:36:23 Unknown I'm aware that, especially in the past, but even today, education often provides a lot of theoretical knowledge without giving students a clear sense of how it's applied in the real world. When I first heard about the Oracle Academy program, I immediately thought, this must be different. Oracle is known for its excellent software solutions. So I assumed that their courses would be packed with real world examples and content that could be applied immediately. 00:02:37:01 - 00:03:04:22 Unknown Online courses and training are now a standard part of daily life. Back in 2007, when I took my first Oracle Academy course, very few people had ever experienced online training. Many couldn't imagine what it's like. The online portion of the training back then was nothing like we have today. It involved live chat sessions with only occasional image, and the internet connection was dial up. 00:03:05:00 - 00:03:30:01 Unknown I still remember the sound of the modern screechy as it connected to the landline. It's so funny to think now about the landline. Most people don't even use today. For me, it was an incredibly experience that back in 2007, I was able to follow from my home and online course with instructor Pat Hays was teaching from her office in the United States. 00:03:30:03 - 00:03:56:11 Unknown It really showed me how Oracle was not just keeping up with technological advancements, but actively applying them. That experience inspired me to be a part of that kind of innovation. I wanted to offer my students the opportunity to stay on the cutting edge of technology, learning skills that could be immediately applied in real world scenarios. Yeah, these were really very specific times. 00:03:56:17 - 00:04:23:22 Unknown And tell us, what were some of the key challenges you experienced and how did you overcome them? This is an excellent question. One of the biggest challenges when working with students is capturing their interest and keeping their attention. Many people myself included, agree that this issue is even more pronounced today, largely because kids are surrounded by technology and endless distractions on the internet. 00:04:24:00 - 00:04:52:21 Unknown However, the question of attention and engagement is an essential part of the teaching and learning process. When students are engaged, then focus. The results are always better. They don't just learn a single lesson. It's not about that. It's about developing a desire to keep learning and discovering new things throughout their lives. The Oracle Academy materials play a significant role in sparking students interest and keeping them engaged. 00:04:52:22 - 00:...