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Have you heard about Stan’s new plan?

Did you know World Tsunami Awareness Day is on 5 November? How would you deal with this or other natural disasters? Do you have a plan? Check out the new-look ‘What’s the Plan, Stan?’ resource from the Ministry of Civil Defence. ‘What’s the Plan, Stan?’, a well-known guide […]

Cyclone offers a way for all students to have devices

Looking for a way to achieve student ownership of devices that is both compliant and all inclusive? A new initiative from Cyclone may just be the answer. Digital devices are becoming more pervasive in the hands of students. Teachers are moving their learning programmes towards a digital environment. […]

Having a ball with robotics

There may not seem a natural connection between classical guitar lessons and robotics. But this unlikely combination started the ball rolling for a robot phenomenon we now all know as Sphero. High roller: Ian with the updated BB-8 and app “My dad is a classical guitar teacher. He […]

Review: HP Elite x2 1012

Beautiful and powerful. If I was asked to come up with two words that sum up HP’s hybrid, Elite x2 1012, this would be them. Thin, lightweight, elegant, stylish, and well-crafted were also all in with a shot but just missed the cut. I guess you get my […]

Review: LittleBits STEAM Student Set

I’m sat at the table fiddling with the pieces in the LittleBits STEAM Student Set and, really, all I’m thinking is “Darn, I wish I’d come up with this!” LittleBits is an ingenious collection of electronic building blocks. Much like any electronics kit, you put the components or […]

Digital learning support PLD at Cyclone

Cyclone’s national team of Digital Learning Specialists understand the changing landscape of teaching and how to get the best out of technology in the classroom, writes Professional Learning Manager Arnika Macphail.  For us, it is not about what technology you buy … but how you use it. Cyclone’s […]

Review: Acer Switch Alpha 12

  There are plenty of Windows-powered tablets with slim keyboard covers, varying in price, power and performance. If you’re finding it hard to choose, Acer’s latest device could well be the ‘Alpha’ in the pack. The Switch Alpha 12 is an impressive-looking (and good looking, too) 2-in-1 tablet. […]

Ubiquitous learning for Rotorua students

Ngā Pūmanawa e Waru is a Rotorua-based trust dedicated to providing ‘ubiquitous learning’ across the district and is creating its vision in two ways, writes Lee Suckling. “The first objective is to assist in putting a device into the hands of every child in Rotorua,” explained Adam Ellis, Ngā […]

Traditional teaching just isn’t enough anymore

Award-winning teacher Gareth Haddon is passionate about progressive learning and believes traditional teaching practices are no longer enough to develop lifelong learners. Gareth Haddon teaches Geography, Social Sciences and Robotics teacher at Aorere College in Auckland. He recently completed the The Mind Lab by Unitec’s Postgraduate Certificate in […]

New online education resources from the SPCA

After 18 months of research and development, SPCA has launched an exciting new education programme for schools: Teachers’ Portal teachers.spcaeducation.org.nz SPCA Kids Education kids.spcaeducation.org.nz Teachers’ Portal Teachers are invited to register for free and unlimited access to SPCA’s extensive collection of innovative New Zealand Curriculum aligned animal welfare […]

Turning gamers into digital designers

During an open night at Shirley Boys’ High School for prospective families, a group of Year 10 students waited for their audience. The lads fired up their devices, pulled out decks of cards and it was game on. The students are in a social sciences class working on […]

Game design helps the learning cycle

The NZ Transport Agency’s Game Design Competition has prompted cross-curriculum delivery for a class of Year 9 students, writes Wayne Erb When students from Heretaunga College investigated potential road safety hazards on local streets, they took to their bikes. Before pedalling out the school gate, they strapped on […]