The sixth session from the Virtual Schooling SIG at the annual Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education (SITE) International Conference was:
Virtual Learning in New Zealand: Achieving Maturity
Authors:
Michael Barbour, Wayne State University, Canada
Derek Wenmoth, CORE Education, New Zealand
Niki Davis, University of Canterbury, New ZealandAbstract:
This proposal describes a study into the development of virtual learning in New Zealand, specifically the obstacles that e-learning clusters face or have faced in their journey to sustainability and maturity through the lens of the Learning Communities Online Handbook. Using a variety of data collection methods, the researchers identified three common barriers, including a lack of a coherent vision, difficulty in securing the necessary funding and resources, and a lack of collaboration and cooperation within and between clusters. Based on these findings, it is recommended that individual e-learning clusters develop specific strategies to encourage greater collaboration between clusters and work towards greater consistency between their activities, including professional and organizational development and also of the approaches to virtual learning.
The presentation is focused on the data that was presented in the Summary Report In Relation To The Virtual Learning Network Primary And Secondary e-Learning: Examining The Process Of Achieving Maturity report that I prepared last year.
