Teaching in the digital world: new webinars happening this term

The Ministry of Education and CORE Education are offering a range of free webinars this term to support schools to make the most of digital technologies for learning. Demand for information about integrating digital technologies into teaching and learning is growing rapidly as more and more schools secure a fast and reliable internet connection.

The webinar held on 16 October covered NZQA plans for computer-based examinations. This webinar was particularly relevant to secondary schools, and with around 90 people in attendance, a significant proportion of our 240-plus New Zealand secondary schools showed an interest.

Steve Bargh, NZQA’s digital assessment programme leader, says NZQA is working towards moving secondary school external assessment to the online environment and expects to be piloting computer-based examinations in 2016.

He says NZQA has a vision for assessment that can be “anytime, anywhere, online, and on demand”. The move, which will take place “in slow and measurable steps” follows pedagogical changes in the classroom, student preference, sector demand, and Government objectives.

“One of the reasons we are most interested in computer-based examinations is that we believe technology is an enabler of more sophisticated assessment. Technology allows you to include higher order skills such as knowledge creation, critical thinking, creative problem solving, and evaluation skills in your assessment,” he said.

Howard Baldwin, Ministry of Education sector engagement manager for the learning with digital technologies programme, adds that one of the most common questions he is asked by secondary school teachers is when students will be able to do their NCEA external examinations on their laptops or devices.

If you missed the webinar but are interested in hearing more about NZQA plans, view a recording. (external link)

Other webinars, covering topics such as student agency and using the e-learning planning framework as a tool for strategic planning can also be accessed from this page.

Upcoming webinars

Other learning with digital technologies themed webinars include:

28 October: Moving toward 1:1 devices – exploring different approaches and lessons learned

12 November: Māori achieving success as Māori – a framework for evaluation including Ako-e (e-learning) alongside cultural competencies

3 December: e-learning tools in literacy.

All webinars are scheduled at 3.45–4.45pm. Register online(external link) for any of these webinars.

The Ministry is committed to supporting schools to integrate digital technologies in teaching and learning. For more information on how your school can benefit from digital technologies and other support resources, visit elearning.tki.org.nz or email: learning.digitaltechnologies@education.govt.nz

School connection data

92% of schools have fibre connections.
36% of schools are now connected to the N4L Managed Network.
73% of schools have had internal ICT networks upgraded through SNUP.
By the end of 2016 all schools will have the ICT infrastructure and systems necessary to provide technology-rich learning environments.