Visit to schools in a store
Unlimited (Secondary)
http://www.unlimited.school.nz/
Discovery 1 (Primary)
http://www.discovery1.school.nz/
Study Tour participants gather for our final dinner.
We began our day of visits to schools in Christchurch by gathering at the headquarters of Core Education.
Anne Cunningham arrives at Core Education bright and early.
Visits to
Ilam School
http://ilam.school.nz/
Ilam students participate in math activity.
Time for outdoor fun! (Notice hats which are worn during outdoor time at many primary schools.)
Fendalton Open Air School
http://www.fendalton.school.nz/
Principal Paul Sibson gives us a tour of Fendalton Open Air School.
Christ’s College (Private Boys School)
Study Tour Group at Christ's College, an independent (Anglican) school for boys from Year 9 to Year 13.
Students in the Christ's College Library
http://www.christscollege.com/
We all enjoyed a relaxing weekend in beautiful ChristChurch. Sample activities included:
Canterbury versus Durbin (S. Africa) rugby match
-Attending the Canterbury Crusaders v. Durbin (South Africa) Sharks rugby match–shades of Invictus
-Traveling on the TranzAlpine train through Arthur Pass to the west coast of the South Island
View along highway to Arthur's Pass
Sheep shearing demonstration at farm near Christchurch.
-Kayaking on the tranquil Avon River
-Taking the gondola to overlook ChristChurch and the Banks peninsula
We had hoped to travel to Akaroa on the Banks peninsula, but the Sunday we all wanted to go was the same day as the earthquake in Chile and resulting tsunami. The tsunami had no significant impact in New Zealand due to low tide conditions, but all beach/water activities in Akaroa were cancelled that day.
We had an abbreviated time at the conference, with a last chance to visit the exhibits, talk with Vince Ham and Derek Wenmoth of CORE, and attend part of the final breakout sessions. A couple of us also did EDTALKS (see http://www.edtalks.org/), but I don’t think our talks will be published for a few days (editing needed!!).
Then it was back to the hotel to check out and head for the airport. We flew along the coastlines of both islands prior to touching down in Christchurch. Our hotel here is located downtown, just across from the stone Cathedral (finished in 1881). Many of the group headed off to the evening’s rugby game (Crusaders vs. Sharks). George Lipscomb (tour member from South Carolina) tells us that he is planning a sports-based geography course, so he can count the evening as work too!
Our tour group boards an Air New Zealand flight from Rotorua to Christchurch.
View from the air soon after our takeoff from Rotorua.
Keynote – Alan November
Today we are trying something new, pushing boundaries and demonstrating the possibilities of ICT. Alan November is recognised as a leader in education technology. His areas of expertise include information and communication technology, planning across the curriculum, staff development, long-range planning, building learning communities and leadership development. He has delivered keynote presentations and workshops in all fifty states of the USA, in every province in Canada, and throughout the UK, Europe and Asia.
Using technology we have access to thought leaders around the world. We can bring them to our place without the expense and time of actually travelling.
So this year we engage with Alan November via Skype.
Below you’ll find CORE member Jane Nicholls’ notes from Alan’s presentation.
After the keynote speech, study tour members Alexis Torres and Jose Hernandez use Skype to check in with a class back in Puerto Rico.
In his morning breakout session, Derek Wenmoth discussed "Cloud Computing" as one of the Ten Trends for 2010.
Many of our study tour participants attended a session by Vince Ham on "Action Research AS Professional Development."
http://www.core-ed.net/learningatschool
http://www.core-ed.net/edtalks-symposium
Learning @ School brought the conference opening by Education Minister Anne Tolley and the first keynote speaker, Stuart Middleton.
Learning @ School has started with a thought provoking and entertaining presentation by Stuart Middleton. He effectively wove a story using metaphors highlighting the current challenge of disengagement of students in New Zealand. He presented some shocking statistics about what is known about disengagement in the education sector. Some of the statistics are:
NZ leaking education pipeline, we are losing kids
Stuart argues we need to meet this challenge Are we ready? We have to get very much better at what we do, and that means change. If we carry on doing the same it will get worse.
NZ, Australia, Great Britain, Canada, and USA all are facing the same or similar issues in education with disengagement with kids. They also are all going down a similar path with education initiatives. Stuart asks is it our right to do what other countries have done even if they fail??
These countries all have these things in common:
Stuart outlines three types of disengagement:
Stuart calls us to meet this challenge. We can make a difference if we are willing to make changes and continue to make changes that make a difference.
What suggestions do you have for meeting this challenge? In my opinion this conference is indicative of the changes that need to be made and the people who are passionate and committed to making these changes. An inspiring start to a great three days of conference.
SIGTE Study Tour Group Registers at the Learning@School Conference.
Vince Ham of CORE welcomes Eleanor Binstock at the Powhiri.
Mitai family members arrive in hand carved war canoe.
Scene from the Maroi cultural performance: the women are using poi balls--originally developed to exercise the wrist.
Pt England School
http://www.ptengland.school.nz/
Viscount School
http://www.viscount.school.nz/
Auckland University
A visit to the Auckland University where we met Tony Hunt and colleagues. A informal gathering to share thoughts and ideas that concluded with a lot of new contacts.
Lets not forget
Happy Birthday George!
Ice-creams at the end of a long – enjoyable day.
Thank you Naketa
A big thank you to Naketa (CORE Education Ltd) for taking the time out of your busy schedule. Naketa being from Auckland not only answered questions but was a tourist guide, a driver, THE navigator, and finder of cafes.
