How did you come to be involved with Taitokerau Education Trust?
I am a teacher at Whangarei Intermediate School. I was one of three teachers at our school to begin using chromebooks full time in the classroom. We are now in our fourth year of delivering the curriculum through chromebooks and the number of chromebook teachers has grown to 13.
What is your role or relationship with the trust?
I have mainly been a classroom teacher but this year I am working partly in the school library and partly as an e-learning support person. In this role I help other teachers to deliver classroom programmes through chromebooks.
Are there any particular highlights or achievements of the trust that stand out to you?
Lots! I think the biggest highlights are watching the learning that occurs in the children and the change of mindset as they discover that their learning doesn’t have to stop when they go home. It still makes me smile when I see a student complete or extend their learning out of school hours or when they are away from school through illness. I’ve seen lots of students become really motivated as they discover something new and meaningful through online learning; things like coding or publishing their work through blogging, or making connections with other students around New Zealand or the world. Another big highlight is the learning that I’ve done myself. I often find myself discovering new online learning tools and ideas.
What would you say to parents who are considering enrolling their child in the Digital Immersion Programme?
Do it. It’s the future of learning.
Why do you think the programme is so successful?
It makes learning purposeful when our students become creators of content, not just consumers of content. Kids love it and teachers love it.
Fun digital fact: What is the last thing you searched for online?
Books. Kids’ books, real ones printed on paper, and look what I found:
https://www.booksellers.co.nz/news/inspiration-charm-and-great-storytelling-childrens-books-2018
an article which features my own book which will be published later this year. That was a surprise!
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