An item from Wednesday’s inbox for my Kiwi colleagues…
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Latest news and information for educators
Coming holidays…
This will be the last CORE newsletter for the year, and we’ve loved bringing you the latest updates, news and views throughout the year. We’ll be back at the end of January to kick-start 2013—look out for lots of information about the CORE breakfast seminars for 2013 and the Learning@School Roadshow coming to a town near you from the beginning of April.
Keep an eye on our blog over summer though—we’ll bring you a list of recommended reads from some of the CORE team, as well as other posts to tantalise the taste buds while you’re off enjoying the sunshine.
If you have any feedback/comments/suggestions on our newsletters send us a tweet or connect with us via our Facebook page. Please note: CORE will be closed from 21 December – 2 January.
But Wait There’s More! Educamp2.0 is coming in December!
Another eLearning day is happening Saturday, 1 December at Riccarton High. A chance to share ideas, meet and network with other educators. Find out more at the Educamp2.0 wiki page.What is an Educamp? Check out what’s happened at previous events around NZ!
“EducampNZ is a user-generated ‘unconference’ focused on e-learning and education, and we’re all about growing your learning, networking, and of course having fun! Everyone is invited to participate in some way—big or small”For more information contact Pauline Grogan-Henderson, Paula Eskett or Anne Kenneally
‘Like’ our Facebook page and WIN!
‘Like’ CORE’s Facebook page before the 15th December and go in the draw to win a CORE goodie box, including a voucher for a free attendance at a 2013 CORE Breakfast seminar in a region of your choice! Already liked our page? No problem, we’ll automatically enter you in the draw!Learning@School Roadshow update
April 1–19, 2013Are you thinking about: mobile technologies, e-portfolios, building professional networks, which apps to use for education, approaches to learning, raising student achievement, and the BYOD debate? We’ve got it covered, and we’re coming to a region near you!
CORE Education invites you to ONE FULL DAY of professional learning and development in one of eight regions. Grow your professional practice and participate in learning conversations about key issues facing educators now and into the future.
Check out the regions, dates, and venues and see a sample of the programme options on the Learning@School website.
We’re bringing keynote speakers, and a range of national speakers as well as gathering some local teachers and school leaders who’ll share their skills, knowledge and ideas about what they’re doing in their classrooms and learning spaces. You’ll choose from a range of presentations and hands-on workshop options. REGISTER NOW as numbers are limited.
Proudly partnered by:
CORE Education Travel Scholarship applications now open
Applications for the CORE Education Travel Scholarship are now open. We know that you’re busy finishing up for the end of the teaching year, so we’ve extended the application period until the 10th January, giving you plenty of time to apply during the holidays. Find out more about the Travel Scholarship on our website.Feature article
iPad mini review: The whole package. In a smaller package.
The release of the iPad mini was met with a great amount of excitement in the CORE team. First we brought you a review from CORE’s IT Manager Glen Davies (originally printed in the New Zealand Herald), and now CORE facilitator Tania Coutts wades in on the debate.Tania had the chance to observe the iPad mini in the hands of students in Whangarei primary schools and early childhood centres. Read her full review and find out how she thought the iPad mini compares with the original model.
From CORE’s blog
Successful choices for ICTs don’t just happen
- By Jo Wilson
When the choice of technology is driven by the needs of the learners, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have the potential to transform learning and teaching. However, this does not, and will not, just happen. The introduction and implementation of ICTs needs be thoughtfully considered and strategically planned for, executed, and consistently reviewed. In other words the focus needs to be on the WHY.What makes for good self review?CORE’s Ten Trends
Ten Trends 2012: User+control
View the videoIn the final Ten Trend of the year, CORE’s IT Manager Glen Davies discusses how users of technology are increasingly seeking to find ways to programme what they’re using, and exercise control over what it does and how it performs.Glen asks: what are your beliefs about the importance of being digitally literate? How are these represented in your school programmes? And finally, what is happening in your school to cater for and encourage those students who have an interest in computer programming?
What are CORE’s Ten Trends? Read about the 2012 Trends on the CORE website.
CORE LEARNZ update
7,563 students winged their way around the country and to Antarctica during term 4 on LEARNZ virtual field trips. Remember, as a teacher in a New Zealand school you can register to use LEARNZ field trips for free. The 2013 field trip schedule is almost confirmed – check the LEARNZ November newsletter for a heads-up.
Waituna Lagoon (Southland) *
12–14 SeptemberLEARNZ students joined local Gorge Road School students who helped transform a gravel pit in Waituna Catchment into a healthy wetland. After setting fyke nets they found an eel that had made its home in the wetland. Making Music (Christchurch) *
29–31 OctoberStudents got to meet Christchurch Symphony Orchestra musicians and their instruments as they prepared for a multi-arts concert with a Halloween theme and featuring The Loons Circus Theatre. Ocean Acidification (Antarctica) *
29 October–2 NovemberStudents travelled by C17 Globemaster to Antarctica and spent time in this dive hut at Cape Evans working with scientists collecting sea stars and sea urchins from the sea floor with an ROV (remotely controlled vehicle). Penguins and Seals (Westport) *
7–9 NovemberStudents became scientists in a seal ‘mark and recapture’ programme with DOC staff on the West Coast. Kiwi (Franz Josef) *
21–23 NovemberStudents travelled deep into the Okarito forest by boat and on foot to search out a nest, recover a very precious rowi egg and take it back (carefully!) to the West Coast Wildlife Centre for incubation. * (Note: all the links above will require you to register before viewing. Registration is free.)
What teachers are saying about term 4 trips:
- LEARNZ is such an integrated experience it is still the best science resource available for NZ teachers
- Sue Hodge, Elm Park School.- What a fantastic resource we have in our LEARNZ team. The trips are always fascinating, interesting, informative and much more. They are a fun way to learn and class reflections at the end of the trips show us that they are very popular with the students as they too see them as fun and a great way to learn
- Caroline Arnold, Lepperton SchoolLatest from EDtalks
Beverly Kaye: Authentic apps in the Early Years
Beverly Kaye is a 2012 CORE Education eFellow. She investigated the use of apps in her kindergarten environment. Beverly explains how the use of authentic apps helped extend and deepen children’s knowledge and experiences.
Other popular videos on Edtalks…
- Chrissie Butler: The BLENNZ Learning Library
- Karen Melhuish Spencer: Making the most of online learning
EDtalks offers regularly updated interviews, discussions, presentations, thought leaders, innovative educators and inspirational learners, designed to get you thinking. Videos are uploaded regularly so make sure you check out this valuable educational resource often. Register for the EDtalks newsletter and get the latest video updates.
CORE staff focus
Manu Faaea-Semeatu
At the end of last week, the CORE team welcomed Manu Faaea-Semeatu with a Feiloa’iga/Welcome in the Christchurch office. Manu joins CORE’s BeL team, and will be working across the ELPD projects, particularly the Digi Advisor programme. More importantly, Manu joins CORE’s ever-growing Pasifika teamCORE Breakfasts
2012 wrap-up and looking to 2013
The November CORE Education breakfast seminars wrapped up the series for the year, with NZCER researchers Marie Cameron and Susan Lovett presenting to Wellington and Christchurch audiences.
CORE’s regularly run Breakfast Seminars give you a chance to listen to some of New Zealand’s leading educators in their field as they present current, pertinent, and helpful information. Enjoy breakfast and a chance to catch up with other educators, all before the school bell signals the start of the day.
The 2013 CORE Breakfast programme is shaping up to be a treat says Programme Coordinator Elizabeth Craker. Topics to be covered in 2013 will include:
- Using iPads to support teaching and learning
- BYOD
- Alternative approaches to assessment
These will be presented by both CORE facilitators and leading New Zealand educators in their field.Sign up to receive CORE’s breakfast notifications and you’ll receive the 2013 programme straight to your inbox before the end of the year.
- 1 December
Educamp2.0- 10 January
Applications close for the CORE Education Travel Scholarship- 21–25 January:
ICOT2013- 1–19 April:
Learning@School Roadshow 2013
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