Schools take up the High Tech Challenge at ULearn05 - Media release 6-07-05

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CORE Education Ltd. and the Ministry of Education have taken the initiative to provide a special professional development opportunity for New Zealand teachers. ULearn05 is a 3-day conference inspiring teachers to utilise digital technologies effectively in the classroom and succeed in meeting the needs of the 21st Century learner. Up to 700 delegates from all over New Zealand will attend the event at the Sky City Convention Centre in Auckland on the 11th – 13th of July.

“It isn’t sufficient to simply say we’ve now got a computer in every classroom, or that every school is linked to the Internet. The more fundamental issues are around designing the curriculum to accommodate both the technology and the ICT-savvy students”
Derek Wenmoth
Director, e-learning, CORE Education Ltd.

The three keynote speakers at ULearn05 are :

Michael Furdyk – Co- Founder and Director of Technology, Taking IT Global.org (Canada)
“The Digital Native – Educating for the Future”
Michael founded two successful Internet companies before he was 17, selling the first, Mydesktop.com to Internet.com in May 1999. He is an advisor to Microsoft, Pollution Probe, Possibilities and several other organisations.

Ian Jukes – Director of the Info Savvy Group (North America)
“Beyond TTWWADI (That’s the Way We’ve Always Done It)!!!”
In August 2002 Cunsulting Magazine Online named Ian Jukes one of the top ten educational speakers in America. His focus has consistently been on the compelling need to restructure educational institutions so that they become relevant to the current and future needs of children.

Dr Helen Barrett – Asst. Prof. University of Alaska, Anchorage School of Education and International expert on electronic portfolio development. (North America)
“E-Portfolios: Digital Stories of Deep Learning”
Helen Barrett has been researching strategies and technologies for electronic portfolios since 1991, publishing a website, an Apple Learning Interchange exhibit, chapters in several books and numerous articles on electronic portfolios.

With 166 workshop sessions available delegates will be spoilt for choice with opportunities to learn about a huge range of technologies and software. Topics for the workshops include:

  • morphing software
  • interactive whiteboards
  • WebQuests
  • digital music making
  • LEGO Robotics
  • how to set up a TV studio in your school,
  • digital imaging for special education,
  • podcasting,
  • enhancing maths and science with mobile technologies,
  • Cybersafety,
  • electronic portfolios
  • 3D gaming in education

Delegates will also hear about and discuss innovation and successful practice in schools throughout New Zealand and around the world.

An ICT in Education trade expo will take part as part of the conference in the Auckland room at the Sky City Convention Centre. Thirty-six exhibitors will demonstrate the many high tech wares relevant to the teaching community.

For further information about the event or to register go to www.ulearn.org.nz
Media contact: Cate Broughton at CORE Education on 021 337 195 or email cate.broughton@core-ed.net