Dec 9, 2025
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.
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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 - 00:05:23:11
Unknown
Students quickly realize that these aren't just abstract concepts,
but practical skills that can help them secure good jobs. The
lessons give them an opportunity to acquire valuable knowledge and
skills that are highly relevant to the real world. In my classes
when I teach, I organize activities in a way that maximizes student
involvement. I don't just stand in front of students delivering
delivering lectures.
00:05:23:13 - 00:05:54:01
Unknown
Let me give you some examples. When we are starting a new lesson, I
give the students a list of questions that they need to answer by
exploring the new materials they read, the lessons they go through,
the content and search for answers. In that case, the reading is
far from boring. The reading is engaging and interactive. All
students are given the same amount of time and the same set of
questions, and they are required to write down their answers.
00:05:54:03 - 00:06:22:06
Unknown
Later, we compare the results as a group with the goal of helping
each student see where they stand and what they can improve. For
example, if one student answers 27 questions, another only 15, we
analyze what happened. What challenges they face. What could have
they done differently? It encourages peer learning as they teach
each other through their mistakes and success.
00:06:22:08 - 00:06:57:08
Unknown
I also use Oracle Academy Solve it with SQL workshop to encourage
students to explore new tools. I provide them with lessons and
instructions and they work through the materials practically using
a new IT tool, something they haven't used before. At the end, we
assess the results together, discussing what went well and what
could be improved. This hands on approach not only builds technical
skills, but also develop critical thinking and problem problem
solving abilities.
00:06:57:13 - 00:07:25:14
Unknown
Thank you. And I agree. Focus is a challenge for all of us
nowadays. And thank you for all of the advices regarding the groups
and organization. And now this leads me to, another question. Tell
me, how do you start your school year with new students? How do you
introduce Oracle Academy to them? Oh, well, at the beginning of the
school year I create Oracle Academy accounts for all students.
00:07:25:16 - 00:07:54:22
Unknown
So that gives them access to complete learning materials throughout
the year. We go through the curriculum gradually, and I always make
sure to point out which lesson we've reached or which specific task
we're working on. In that way, they can track their progress for
hands on work. Their plenty of examples and exercises within the
course itself. I make sure to go through those tasks in class.
00:07:55:00 - 00:08:28:11
Unknown
Sometimes we work together. For example, I'm at teacher's computer
demonstrating things we have to do, and all students follow on
their own computers at other times. I assign tasks for them to
complete independently while I circulate around the classroom.
Occasionally we practice quiz questions during class, which helps
them prepare for the certification exam. When we go over quiz
questions, we always discuss them.
00:08:28:13 - 00:08:56:22
Unknown
If I notice from their answers that they haven't fully grasped
something, we revisit the lesson afterwards. Do I make more example
to make things clearer for my students? Wonderful. And now from
your teacher's, perspective, you have been Oracle Academy
instructor for teacher courses for many years. Could you please
tell us more about that experience? Well, this is very important
for me.
00:08:57:00 - 00:09:33:07
Unknown
The experience I have as an Oracle Academy instructor for teachers
working with teachers is especially valuable. Each teacher brings
their own experience from the classroom. Those experiences are
always visible during training sessions. The process of knowledge
exchange in teacher training is never one sided. While I train
teachers on how to use Oracle Academy materials in their lessons, I
also absorb knowledge from them about their teaching methods and
how they work with their students.
00:09:33:09 - 00:10:02:03
Unknown
When you're a teacher, your focus isn't just on the subject matter.
The main focus is on how to help students acquire knowledge and
skills. The way a teacher learns sometimes might not be the same
way a student needs to learn. We don't all alone in the same way.
Some people prefer to read a lot. They best learn by carefully
going through the lesson, only moving to the task.
00:10:02:06 - 00:10:38:16
Unknown
After reviewing everything thoroughly. Others skip the long texts.
They don't like to read. They go straight to the tasks and they
then return to the lesson text only when they need help solving a
problem. Some students enjoy learning through competition. Others
dread it. These are just a few examples in direct work with
students in the classroom. The process of teaching and learning
reveals how many different ways there are to learn, and what
patterns can lead to knowledge acquisition.
00:10:38:18 - 00:11:03:18
Unknown
The training sessions I've led as an Oracle Academy instructor gave
me the chance to meet many teachers, not only from my own country,
but from other countries as well. This has allowed me to peek into
other classrooms and get to know the diverse teaching methods used
by teachers with their students. Thank you so much for those
valuable advices.
00:11:03:20 - 00:11:27:05
Unknown
And now, one final question. If you could give one piece of advice
to faculty or students, what would it be? Thank you for this
opportunity to share my thoughts. I think that the most important
thing is to take care of yourself and each other. And that includes
using the knowledge you gain in a way that benefits people in the
world.
00:11:27:07 - 00:11:58:10
Unknown
Always think about how you can apply your knowledge to make life
better for all of us. In the past, teachers used to teach the same
lessons and assigned the same task. Year after year, from the time
they started working until they retired. That's just not the case
anymore. Technology is constantly changing and advancing. Those
changes don't only affect subjects related to information and
computer communication technologies.
00:11:58:12 - 00:12:28:00
Unknown
They also impact how other school subjects are taught. Oracle
Academy is always introducing new materials and new courses.
Teachers shouldn't be afraid of the new. Teachers don't have to
master every detail of the course before introducing it to the
students. It's perfectly fine for teachers to learn alongside
students and explore new concepts together as they come up in the
class.
00:12:28:01 - 00:12:56:11
Unknown
Students shouldn't believe that there is a person who knows
everything. That's not the teacher's role. The teacher's role is to
spark a passion for learning in students. It's not embarrassingly
scary not to know something. What matters the most is the desire to
explore and learn. Thank you so much for sharing highlights from
your huge experience with us and with Oracle Academy that TEDx
audience.
00:12:56:13 - 00:13:15:08
Unknown
It is a pleasure to work with you. Thank you Ljiljana. I'm so happy
to be part of the Oracle Academy program. That wraps up this
episode. Thanks for listening and stay tuned for the next Oracle
Academy Tech Chat podcast.