You can contact LEARNZ, part of CORE Education, at:
Postal Address:
PO Box 13 678,
Christchurch 8141,
New Zealand
Testimonials
Waterview Connection
The field trip generated a lot of relevant questions and fitted in with the science, technology and english topics that we are covering. The field trip provided access to an area of interest and at a level of expertise that I would not be able to provide any other way. The online support section was comprehensive and the introduction to the fieldtrip on Adobe Connect was informative and well run.
Joanna Stevens from Stevens Home School
Served to show the variety of options available as an engineer and that there is a requirement for qualifications. Reinforced science, maths and English as important subjects.
Glen Sayers from Papakura High School
It was appropriate to our Sharing the Planet inquiry, enabling children to have a structure in their learning and learn more than what they would if independent.
Helen Prescott from Glenfield Intermediate
Excellent for future focus, development, problem solving, and technology.
Dorothy Hutton from Columba College
The field trip was excellent for both genders. Great for students to learn about how their voice and contribution can help shape the future.
Kevin Jones from Te Rapa School
My ESOL and Maori students are very engaged and a typical query I get is when is our NEXT trip!
Christine Hailes from North Street School
It is structured really well and it gives the children and authentic context within which they can learn. It was appropriate for my class because we are living within a citywide rebuild (Christchurch) so the planning and implementation of infrastructure is completely relevant. It motivated many of them to log on at home to support their learning.
Jan Thompson from Banks Avenue School
Related closely to our transport topic for the term, which had a technology focus. High levels of student engagement in this topic, very interesting. The children also enjoy doing the interactive activities.
Louise Parker from Twyford School
Supported the oral language key competencies and enabled science to be integrated in the reading programme.
Tracey Burgess from St Peter's School Beckenham
This is amazing! It has created some excellent discussion amongst our class. My class would have loved to see Alice in action live but your virtual accounts are a brilliant substitute!
Maria Semmons from Glen Eden School
It was appropriate for us since we live in West Auckland and the students travel near the Waterview area. The students were fascinated with the work that Alice does. I will use LEARNZ again as it is an important digital learning community that encourages the students to collaborate and expand their learning in their own time.
Shirley Bishop from Royal Road School
We thought the field trip was friendly, effective and interesting. Waterview project is local to our school and the Year 8 girls were interested in the development.
Sanet Bircham from Marist College
Year 10 classes enjoyed it and thought it worthwhile. Very good for career pathways (a school-wide goal), especially enginnering. Helped the students know what is happening in their local area. Supported NZ Curriculum. Vision - connected, actively involved. Principles - inclusion, community engagement. Values - innovation, inquiry and curiosity, community and participation, ecological sustainability. Key competencies - thinking, managing self, relating to others, participating and contributing. Learning area - real life physics.
Stuart Braithwaite from Lynfield College
Because it is our backyard it was very useful for the children to understand fully how huge this project is. A really good link to our Inquiry topic and the careers work we have been doing.
Sue Meltzer from Kadimah College
The field trip about the Waterview Connection was particularly interesting for some of my boys with an engineering bent, and they asked some good questions. The time-lapse video and pictures were particularly engaging for the class and they really enjoyed the detailed information available on the website about Alice the TBM.
Michele Duggan from Whangaparaoa College
Students learned more about a huge project that is occurring in their local area and have an interest and awareness that can be built on as the project continues, either in school or with their families. Our Year 4-6 children have shown huge interest in accessing the video content and audioconferences in free time, and have actively asked for extra time to do this with their Netbooks.
Jacqueline McGivern from St Therese School (Three Kings)
Students really enjoyed the opportunity to take part in the competition. And really good to gain skills in cross-curriculum links.
Stephen Fennessy from St Andrew's School Timaru
The students get to see places they often would not get to see. They are introduced to amazing concepts and get to think about how this may affect them in the future. We used the easy background information which was very well suited to our Year 5 class.
Paula O'Neill from New River Primary School
He Hokinga Whakaaro
High level of student engagement, interesting topics that are relevant to students' lives. Videos are always pitched at a good level, interesting - many of my students access them at home too.
Caroline Arnold from Lepperton School
Terrific for the immersion phase of Inquiry. Children very motivated to go off and research independently. Just a stunning resource which enhances the quality of teaching and learning in my room tremendously!
Fiona Matthews from Matua School
Great visual learning, auditory learning, and inquiry learning. I like the way Māori words are put into every context of the trip.
Diana Donovan from Pamapuria School
Very well rounded experiences. Used partly to prepare for a visit to our local Marae and learning about Matariki. Visual experiences great for class.
Kathleen Roach from St Albans Catholic School
We have been researching about Captain Cook and we are also preparing for a Marae visit so components of the field trip have been particularly relevant. The easy background pages and the associated activities were just right for my Year 4 class. It is always interesting to learn from Shelley and Andrew while they are on location. The students develop a connection with them, particularly if they participate in an audio conference.
Fiona Mackley from Alexandra School
Highly engaging and extremely usable! Students gained in constructing questions to put to experts. Interpreting and making meaning of a variety of language and symbols, managing self, relating to others and also developed a wealth of knowledge about the topic.
Karen Edwards from Brightwater School
It backed up our camp from last year when we looked at the Waitemata Harbour and we are looking forward to the upcoming LEARNZ field trip to Lake Taupo, continuing our water inquiry. On this field trip, students compared the two harbours which reinforced their learning.
Pamela Furze from Roto-O-Rangi School