In this episode, we speak with Ben Shields, Principal of St Patrick’s Primary School Ballarat, about how stepping away from the daily demands of school leadership during DOBCEL’s recent study tour to Finland created space to reconsider the role of technology in education.
A long-time advocate for digital technology, Ben shares how his observations in Finnish schools—and a thought-provoking conversation with educator and author William Doyle—challenged some of his previous thinking. He reflects on the importance of protecting children’s capacity for sustained attention, deep thinking and perseverance, particularly during the junior primary years.
Ben also explores what he calls the “strategic deimplementation” of technology: carefully examining what genuinely strengthens learning and having the courage to remove what does not. This is not an anti-technology conversation, but a “pro-purpose” one—focused on creating rich, intentional learning experiences that help every child thrive.
Listen to this podcast episode here: https://dobcel.captivate.fm/
