Fresh Intake of e-Learning Fellows Inducted at CORE Education - Media release 26-02-05
Ten teachers from around the country have begun their year-long e-learning fellowship programme at the CORE Education office sponsored by the Ministry of Education.
The CORE Education research team manages the project, providing support and mentoring for the fellows. This also includes two weeks of professional learning workshops each term.
Research topics from this year’s intake include:
- Lifelong learning for teenage mothers
- A sense of belonging in kindergarten communities
- e-Learning in music education
- Technology tools to support students with special needs
To kick-start the programme the fledgling group of teacher-researchers heard from the first round of e-fellows that took part in the programme in 2004. The feedback from them about the value of the fellowship for their teaching and their schools has been overwhelming positive.
A couple of the 2004 e-learning fellows commented on their fellowship year:
“The e-learning fellowship has been an extraordinary experience. My professional learning has been challenged and strengthened through the chance for in-depth action research. Most importantly, the friendships gained through working so closely with the other fellows has been amazing. I will never forget this year and feel very privileged for being a part of it.”
- Mel Rodden
“My research for the year looked at how eLearning can develop and support creativity for the reticent writer in the primary school classroom. The e-Learning fellowship has changed the why and the how of what I do when I am teaching and when I am learning. The interesting thing is, that it is not really about the technology; the computers and cameras etc. it is about the people. It's about passion and being truly present in what you do in education. The year gave me opportunities to have regular and meaningful communication with people from the Ministry of Education, which was stimulating and made me feel proud of what I have been doing in the classroom for all these years. The e-learning fellowship programme is a very powerful bridge that theMinistry has made to empower teachers and affect change.”
- Blair Cottom
The following people are available for interviews:
- Dr Vince Ham, director of research at CORE Education
- 2004 & 2005 e-learning fellows
For more information or to arrange an interview contact Cate Broughton on (03) 379 0714 OR 021 337 195 OR cate.broughton@core-ed.net