Ask the Connected Learning Advisory

Who we are, what we do

Connected Learning Advisory – Te Ara Whītiki advisors are based regionally right across Aotearoa New Zealand. The team has a diverse range of technological skills and experience in education and can provide you with free, independent, unbiased advice whatever your question, and regardless of what stage you are at in your e-learning journey.

Over the past 20 months, we have answered hundreds of queries from schools, kura and Communities of Learning | Kāhui Ako covering a range of technology-related topics, including:

• Using digital technologies in the classroom to support innovative learning practices.
• Developing an e-learning action plan.
• Engaging your community through digital technologies.
• Moving to the cloud.
• Procurement of ICT devices, equipment and services.
• Digital citizenship.
• Preparing for BYOD or 1:1 devices.

Whether you are a principal, e-leader, technical support person or teacher, we offer our support so that you can feel confident about the decisions you are making and your next steps.

What happens when you contact us

You can contact us by phoning 0800 700 400 or completing the online form in English or te reo Māori on our website: TKI website or CLA website(external link)

If you’re not quite sure how to phrase your question, that’s no problem. Simply submit a query that says you need some help and your local advisor will give you a call to pinpoint the support you need.

Your regional advisor will work with you in a friendly and supportive way. Whether you need a quick answer or ongoing support we work to your needs. When necessary, we can coordinate responses across a number of the organisations that schools deal with such as N4L, NetSafe and the SNUP team. We’re even happy to receive multiple queries from you or your school or kura as you continue on your e-learning journey.

At the Connected Learning Advisory – Te Ara Whītiki, we always welcome feedback on the service we provide and the following examples illustrate some of the different ways we have been able to support schools and kura:

• “Great guidance and support regarding some of the online tools and trials we are engaged in. Is always helpful to touch base with someone who has the in’s and out’s of digital technology and what works and might not. Sage advice received and noted.” [Kura]
• “Fantastic, full of new ideas and great addition advice. Also followed up to ensure success.”
• “Knowledgeable facilitators who gave us valuable tools / ideas to support our work in using digital technology in supporting / enhancing learning.”
• “Thank you so much for being so supportive of our e-learning Journey at [School name]. Your facilitation and resources have enabled us to break down a seemingly daunting task into fun, relevant learning tasks that have started open discussions among staff.”

Help yourself see one of our guides

In addition to providing support through our advisory team, we also publish a range of up-to-date, practical guides on topics such as:

• Using digital technologies to support learning in a senior secondary context.
• The strategic thinking roadmap – supporting the development of your digital technologies action plan.
• Making the best use of your student data.
• Planning for and managing 1:1 digital devices in your school.
• Using social media to connect with your community.
• Planning for a cloud migration.

Our complete library of how-to guides, webinar recordings and resources based on questions asked by schools and kura can be found on the TKI website

Come to one of our local workshops and meet us in person

Professional support for leaders of digital technologies

In term 2 (12–22 June), throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, the Connected Learning Advisory will be offering free professional learning and development workshops around the popular Strategic Thinking Roadmap resource(external link) 

These will be full day workshops with an introduction to the resource in the morning, and an opportunity to ‘dive deeper’ into the eight planning strands in the afternoon. We invite those new to resource, as well as those who attended last year’s workshops. If you wish to register your interest to attend, please do so here(external link)

Connect with us online

You can find the Connected Learning Advisory – Te Ara Whītiki online in the following places:

Website: CLA website(external link) or TKI website
VLN: http://bit.ly/cla-vln
Twitter: @enablelearning with the hashtag #cla_nz
Pond: CLA(external link)

Contact the Connected Learning Advisory

The Connected Learning Advisory is supporting hundreds of schools, and now also Communities of Learning | Kāhui Ako, as they make strategic decisions related to learning with digital technologies.

If you have a query about integrating technology with teaching and learning, or you want to suggest a topic for this column, contact the Connected Learning Advisory on:

Phone: 0800 700 400
Online form: TKI website or CLA website(external link)

The Ministry of Education’s Connected Learning Advisory is managed by CORE Education.