Projects

CMP/MoA

admin — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:36:35 +1200

The Curriculum Marautanga project is about raising student achievement. It aims to:

clarify and refine curriculum outcomes
focus on quality teaching
strengthen school ownership of curriculum
support communication and strengthen partnerships between schools, parents and communities.

CMP and MoA give anyone with Internet access the chance to get involved.

Working documents, such as the essence statements and achievement objectives, are published online so that comments can be gathered as these materials are developed. The websites allow principals, teachers, and other interested people to take part in discussions, provide feedback on the works in progress, and keep up-to-date with what's happening on the project.

Conferences

admin — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:42:42 +1200

We have partnered conferences with our Australian colleagues hosting the very successful Navcon2k2 and Navcon2k4 conferences in Christchurch at which over 1800 delegates participated in 2004. We aim to draw on best practice models from New Zealand and around the world and bring together international and national presenters.

A key focus is on the "teachers for teachers" stream of our programmes where we aim to deliver the best of current educational conference practice - enabling schools to develop transforming learning and teaching practice with, by, and through ICT. We together investigate innovation and successful practice in New Zealand and Australian schools and focus on the development of vision, goals, practices, and programmes that reflect the needs of the 21st Century learner.

Digiops

admin — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:14:32 +1200

The principal aim of DigiOps is to support the use of leading edge ICTs in teaching and learning, to help in overcoming barriers to ICT innovation both at school and national levels, and to foster purposeful use of ICT for communication and interaction between schools and communities.

The initiative is unique and innovative in several ways. These include the collaborative involvement of educators, teachers, students, communities and ICT-related businesses, and a wide representation of New Zealand schools. Schools involved represent both North and South Islands, primary and secondary sectors, private and state schools, Maori immersion and mainstream, schools in rural and urban locations, and higher and lower decile schools. The initiative is also unusual in including participant research in many projects, and in requiring the production of resources tailored to the requirements of New Zealand schools.

The CORE research team has submitted two milestone reports for the Ministry during 2005. The Ministry took these reports into account in planning the second phase of the initiative, which begins in 2006. Findings from the first phase of the initiative have been encouraging. These findings have highlighted cooperative relationships between schools and ICT-related businesses, between schools and communities, and between individual schools. More than a dozen school-generated research outcome reports have been published as articles in Computers in New Zealand Schools. Several papers also were presented in national and international conferences. More importantly, the projects extend the effective use of the ICTs in the classroom teaching and learning process.

All stakeholders and partners are looking forward for achieving their goals for the next phase 2006-2007 of DigiOps, and we at CORE anticipate a change in focus of our research to look more closely at outcomes for students.

ECE ICT PL

admin — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:45:50 +1200

ECE ICT PL is the first programme of its kind in early childhood education in New Zealand and promises to add to the already exciting developments in the use of ICT that have evolved in centres over the last few years.

This initiative is one of several steps that will eventually flow from Foundations for Discovery, (Ministry of Education, 2005) the framework for ICT use in early childhood education. A key strategic focus area within the framework is “Developing Professional Learning and Capability”. The goal of this focus area is that ECE educators become confident and capable users of ICT to enhance children’s learning and their own practice and professional learning.

Almost 60 centres have been selected to participate over a three-year timeframe. These include kindergartens, education and care centres (childcare centres) and one hospital-based early childhood service. The services have been clustered into 6 regions across the country. Each regional cluster will be assigned a facilitator who will act as a mentor and coach for the services within that cluster. Centre teaching teams will be supported to use action research methodology to investigate an issue or area that they are curious to develop, involving ICT. As well as face-to-face contact, teachers will have opportunities to develop professional networks through virtual learning communities within ICT PD.

Enhancing Effective Practice in Special Education (EEPiSE) Community of Practice

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:43:52 +1200

The EEPiSE project aims to identify, encourage, and support effective classroom practices to improve the learning, social, and cultural outcomes for all students. In particular, it is aimed to assist teachers to meet the needs of students who require curriculum modifications to attain their full potential.

25 schools are currently involved in an action research programme lead by staff at colleges of education, while 24 other schools are participating in action learning which is being facilitated by Ministry of Education (GSE) staff across the country.

Enterprise for Education

admin — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:51:34 +1200

Education for Enterprise (E4E) is a way into the new curriculum. It asserts we need our young people to be, ‘confident, connected, actively involved, lifelong learners’. All good teachers have always wanted their students to be this way, and E4E is not about throwing out all that has gone before, but in looking at what we do through a new lens, based on the new needs of the new century.

E4E can be summarised by:

We want students to be…

So we need to…

Resilient
Creative
Innovative
Confident
Savvy
Can-do
Critical thinkers
Responsible
Team players
Collaborative

Model these qualities
Facilitate learning in a way which gives students opportunities to demonstrate these qualities through action
Create authentic learning contexts
Connect students with their community
Bring the outside world in
Go out into the world

EPS - Educational Positioning System for ICTs

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:51:41 +1200

The tool was developed as part of a three year study on how teachers judge benefit or value in teaching and learning activities which involve the use of new digital technologies (computers, digital cameras, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, the Internet, and the like).

The aims of the EPS are to:

help teachers and schools self-evaluate ‘where they are at’ in terms of effective ICT integration
foster reflective thinking in teachers about the integration of ICTs
provide an evidence base for school policy on teacher development in ICTs and broader ICT policy decision-making.

The tool is based on the finding of the research that teachers evaluate their integration of ICTs using five key indicators or criteria. These are:

eXe – the eLearning XHTML editor

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:54:52 +1200

eXe is a digital content authoring tool with a pedagogically driven template system that provides power and flexibility in a simple and easy to use application. With eXe, users can develop learning structures that suit their content delivery needs and build resources that are flexible and easily updated. eXe also allows educational resources to be structured and authored in an offline manner, removing any network or connectivity barriers.

The eXe structured instructional template (iDevice) scheme guides authors in constructing course components that are logically and pedagogically sound. Helpful tips are provided to authors to aid them in applying the templates. The clearly delineated iDevices help structure packages, both for the author and the learner. The pedagogical structure of the iDevices can help teachers organise their courseware in logical components for the students. By allowing more teachers access to eLearning technologies, a wider spectrum of content can be made available and by lowering the barriers to publishing, more teachers can be involved in developing their own online resources with little training required.

First Films

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:01:01 +1200

Open to students aged 9–14 years, this course traditionally runs during the January school holidays in both Christchurch and Auckland. Each year the course focuses on a different film-making genre, such as stop-motion, documentary style, silent movies, etc.

Students are encouraged to work in small groups to produce a short film in time for their premier screening for family and friends at the end of the course. Past students have not only enjoyed the creative buzz of shaping their own films but also have learnt many new skills along the way including collaboration, problem-solving, time management and scalability.

ICT PD Programme Evaluation

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:17:57 +1200

The evaluation process for each cluster is carried out over the three-year period of their programme, with a new intake of cluster schools occurring yearly. Teachers involved in the project take part in a series of surveys to give feedback about the experience at various stages over the programme. This gives the opportunity to oversee the delivery process, teachers’ development progress, and the national trends towards the use of ICTs in education by comparing the results of subsequent intakes.

At the start of the programme teachers’ goals for participation in the programme, views on ICT use in education, ICT skill levels, confidence levels about the use of ICT, frequency of the use of ICTs in classroom teaching and learning, barriers to the use of ICTs in classroom teaching, and preferences of professional development activities over the period of the programme are surveyed by a baseline survey.

Information and Communication Technology Professional Development (ICT PD) Clusters

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:16:02 +1200

The Ministry of Education provides funding for implementing the ICT PD programme which is aimed at:

Increased understanding by teachers, principals, students and school communities of the educational benefits of ICT;
Increased capability of teachers and principals to use ICT for their own professional learning;
Increased capability of teachers and principals to use ICT to facilitate improvements in students' learning and achievement;
Strengthened professional learning communities and increased collaboration within and across schools;
A developing rich resource of expertise, experience and materials in effective ICT use at a local and national level.

Jane and the Dragon

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:20:47 +1200

Regular educational activities are provided for schools, groups of students, and individual students, including participation in a 3D virtual world, curriculum-based activities and competitons.

The first major activity for 2008 is an Animation Competition, in which students or groups of students in New Zealand schools are invited to create and record an animated story. Students may use any of a number of animation techniques, as long as the finished work adheres to the criteria outlined in the competition guidelines.

The competition guidelines, entry form and Terms and Conditions are available in the teachers’ turret at http://www.janeandthedragon.school.nz

KidsCongress

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:23:04 +1200

The two-day conference challenges the digital generation and their teachers to take part in fun, problem solving workshops using cool software and technology. What’s unique about this event is that it’s run by kids for kids.

2005 is it’s fifth year in Christchurch. KidsCongress has recently expanded its reach to Auckland. In 2005 it also made its successful inaugural debut in Australia at Brisbane.

Each event’s ‘host’ school picks a class of year 7 students to take on the enormous task of organising and managing the event from venue hire, website development, information and marketing, database management, equipment provision, budgeting and catering. The kids committee get a real buzz from doing this valuable and rewarding real-life work experience.

KPEC

admin — Fri, 02 May 2008 09:01:52 +1200

The focus of the project was on demonstrating the importance of building teacher capability in terms of ICT knowledge, skill and pedagogical practice in order to achieve the desired outcomes in terms of effective use of ICT in teaching and learning, including a positive impact on student achievement.

CORE's contribution to the iNZed effort focused on leveraging the many years of experience that CORE has of designing and delivering a national level programme of professional development in ICT using a cluster-based model. Derek Wenmoth, director of e-learning at CORE was the programme designer for the KPEC pilot, and used accumulated experience and research of CORE within the New Zealand context to design a programme in Malaysia that was informed by the principles that have underpinned the New Zealand experience.

Learn-Now

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:15:50 +1200

Classrooms and individual learners can join pre-packaged projects or design and develop customized self-driven, web-based programmes, with online facilitation by Learn-Now staff. Learn-Now projects have become topics on classroom long-term plans, individual education plans, and have even been taken on as homework projects.

The programme focuses on collaborative learning processes and key competencies. The learners experience the use of ICT, social learning, and a learner-centred approach through an integrated curriculum.

Coverage includes subject specific topic work through to the design and development of small profit-making businesses, global activities, individual topic studies, and much more.

Ministry of Education e-Learning Fellowship

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:46:52 +1200

The fellowship recognises those teachers who are already leaders in utilising e-learning in their schools and enables them to have professional development in this area to further their understanding and share their knowledge.

e-Learning fellows have presented and disseminated their research findings at conferences such as LearningatSchool (Rotorua), Navcon (Christchurch and Bendigo, Australia), ULearn (Auckland and Christchurch), TUANZ tours and Microsoft Innovative Educators (Singapore and Korea) since 2004.

These 2008 e-fellows began their research projects in February with a full week workshop at CORE Education Ltd.

Muslim Digital Outreach

admin — Fri, 02 May 2008 09:05:48 +1200

ICT access and skills are seen as crucial for migrants and refugees to enable them to find and secure employment; and to help them learn about and settle in their new country. The Canterbury area has over 1000 Muslims, of a wide range of ethnic backgrounds.

Halal slaughtermen are located at meat processing plants throughout New Zealand, often at remote locations. For them, establishment of a professional community of practice, using ICTs as a communication medium can potentially reduce feelings of isolation, and raise the level of mutual support and alignment of professional standards.

Pasifika Digital Navigators Project

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:47:29 +1200

The pilot project involves the undertaking of a community ICT audit, the development of Pasifika online content and the provision of learning spaces/environments, both physical and virtual, where Pacific Island peoples can communicate utilising both existing and new forms of ICT.

Currently, the pilot project is being conducted in Christchurch, with the end goal of rolling out the successful outcomes of the project nationwide.

PLOT

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:50:59 +1200

PLOT professional support is entirely flexible to suit your school:

full day workshops with Joan Dalton, David Anderson or Mel Stopford
one year’s access to the PLOT website including the newly developed facilitation site
face-to-face school visits by Mel Stopford, CORE Education
phone and email support from both Joan and David in Australia and Mel here in NZ

Contact Mel to discuss how PLOT is currently supporting both primary and secondary schools across New Zealand.

The PLOT website
PLOT (Professional Learning Online Tool) provides access to one of the foremost professional development websites for the teaching profession. The content of the PLOT website has been developed over 20 years by Australians, Joan Dalton and David Anderson, as a result of their long-term work with schools. Joan and David work worldwide as consultants, professional learning facilitators, keynote presenters, and project management specialists.

This incredible online resource powerfully combines high-quality pedagogy resources with the tools, strategies, and processes to grow a strong professional community within and among schools.

Based on current learning theory and best practice, PLOT’s multiple pathways enable you to:

QTR&D Project: Maori Medium

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:17:29 +1200

The purpose of the QTR&D project is to build on existing knowledge to understand more about quality teaching. QTR&D will be developed as a collaborative research and development process between Ministry, academics, research facilitators, schools, teachers, students and their parents/caregivers, whanau and communities. The project is based on the premise that teacher inquiry, supported by productive learning partnerships, is a critical contributing factor to improving the quality of teaching and learning outcomes for diverse learners.

Project Principles

The project principles underpinning the research and development design of the QTR&D project will include:

T4T4T - Teachers for Teachers for Tertiary

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:54:05 +1200

Many of these tertiary teachers, outside education departments or colleges of education, had limited formal teacher training or expertise. The emphasis of the pilot was on:

longer-term collaboration among tertiary professionals
investigation of ways that would promote self appraisal
better understandings of effective practice
improved cross-institutional interaction
reflection on their teaching practice in an ongoing and supported way.

A research component was included in the project and the final research report was submitted to the Ministry in April 2005.

Workplace e-Learning Projects

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:56:07 +1200

Why workplace e-learning?
e-Learning in the workplace has the potential to reduce organisations’ spending on training and development by reducing the need for travel and accommodation for learners. It has the potential to offer ‘anywhere, anytime’ learning, and allows widely dispersed workforces to receive essential material.

Meat inspector supervisor training – retrospective evaluation
CORE became involved this area of work by carrying out a retrospective evaluation of an online course designed to lead to the National Certificate in First Line Management (NCFLM), an NZQA level 4 qualification. This course was a blended course developed by Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT) and Asure, the statutory meat-inspecting organisation, to provide training to meat inspector supervisors.