The Mind Lab by Unitec has today announced it will offer its Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Practice (Digital & Collaborative Learning) to Auckland tertiary educators for the first time.

Commencing in November 2015, the qualification was previously available to primary and secondary teachers, but will now be offered in a dedicated tertiary education intake for New Zealand tertiary educators at Universities, Polytechnics (ITP) or Private Training Establishments (PTE).

Frances Valintine, Founder and Chair of The Mind Lab by Unitec, says the extension of the programme will allow tertiary educators from Auckland-based learning institutions to upskill their digital technology skills and knowledge of contemporary teaching practice.

“We live in a dynamic global environment where education delivery advances are greatly enhancing the way knowledge is shared and delivered. Armed with deep understanding of digital technologies, collaborative practices and new teaching methodologies, educators can rapidly enhance student engagement and raise student achievement.

“The Mind Lab by Unitec has been working hard to upskill New Zealand teachers at a primary and secondary level with 1,000 teachers already gaining deeper understanding of modern education through this postgraduate programme. Making this qualification available to tertiary educators is in recognition of the critical role that digital and collaborative learning plays at all levels, across all industries and in all workplaces,” Valintine says.

The Mind Lab by Unitec’s Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Practice (Digital & Collaborative Learning) is a part time 32-week programme and is redefining professional development for teachers through the offering of a hands-on, progressive and blended qualification.

The Mind Lab by Unitec is a collaboration between New Zealand’s largest ITP, Unitec Institute of Technology and The Mind Lab, a specialist learning lab dedicated to increasing knowledge and understanding of modern technology amongst students, teachers and now tertiary educators. Since the partnership  was formed in 2014, the education lab has provided PD for teachers, as well as teaching school students from Year 1–13 who attend education workshops in one of The Mind Lab’s four New Zealand locations in Auckland, Gisborne, Wellington and Christchurch.

The part time postgraduate course in digital and collaborative learning starts in Auckland on 6 November 2015 with a weekly four-hour session 12 midday to 4pm on Fridays at The Mind Lab by Unitec, 69 Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket.

For more information go to themindlab.com

Source: The Mind Lab by Unitec