You can contact LEARNZ, part of CORE Education, at:
Postal Address:
PO Box 13 678,
Christchurch 8141,
New Zealand
The Bioblitz field trip allowed our tamariki to further explore their learning context (insects) and to add to their understanding of an area of the science curriculum. The format of the field trip meant that what the children had already learned was given relevance and promoted further inquiry, conversations, excitement and engagement in this context.
It followed on very well from the inquiry we have been doing into the plants in our local native bush. The most noticeable impact was a increase in our classes' scientific vocab. Great opportunity to communicate and collaborate with others outside of our school.
The BioBlitz trip was an excellent activity in terms of supporting NZ Curriculum objectives in Science and Ecology for Levels 3 and 4. Science is a way of explaining the world and scientists work together to support their ideas. Ecology - students can see how organisms are adapted to their environment.
It was really appropriate as we learnt how to do a Bio Blitz in our own backyard - which we did! Helped us in the key Learning Area of Science - provided extra information, motivation and a wider NZ focus on the environment. Also added to the kete of useful add-ons to make my teaching better.
Stimulated students to look at environmental issues and biodiversity in our local area. From a teacher's perspective it was a simple way to get children engaged in learning using a digital tool.
The content was pitched perfectly for Year 7 & 8 tamariki. As part of our unit of inquiry based around ecosystems & biodiversity, there were strong curriculum links. The word bank helped build our te reo Māori too.
Helped my teaching practice, as this BioBlitz field trip was a helpful tool to differentiate my teaching. Students enjoy a different form of lesson delivery, too.
In this virtual field trip, the students studied creatures while learning about the concepts of biodiversity and conservation so we built our Inquiry around native animals. We decided to go to the Groynes and check out creatures there. We also looked at the wildlife at Willowbank.
Supported all of the KC's, the Nature of Science and the science capabilities.
This trip generated a huge response and the students loved being in Iceland. I was constantly asked if they could have more time researching-looking at videos and following their own Inquiry trail on this topic. All key competencies were used.
The virtual field trip encouraged my Year 9 students to manage themselves, and helped develop their critical thinking skills.
Captivating videos and learning activities about planet Earth. Thanks for the project!
This provided our students with experts in their fields. It allowed us to connect with them more easily. It made direct links to the learning of their world around them and connections to where they are from.
Participation was great as we got to go Iceland!
The timing and content of the field trip was appropriate for my Year 9 class and they were all engaged, especially in the live web conference. I thought the virtual field trip was a valuable experience; both for the students and for my professional development.
Interesting insight into volcanoes and earthquakes. Kids were amazed to learn about other countries with the similar to NZ geological issues. Activities were interesting.
The live web conference was an excellent experience for my students to connect with experts. It has sparked more curiosity for the students and has led well into their scientific inquiries.
As a individual teacher, I could never hope to organise and present learning opportunities to students as well as the Learnz team does. The natural hazards topic was very engaging for the students and the LEARNZ trip provided variety to my teaching programme and suited my e-learning class.
Maori students enjoyed learning Maori words related to the topic; they felt included and their culture appreciated. The field trip supported our learning about planet Earth, especially in comparison between NZ and Iceland.
It encouraged a purposeful use of digital devices. The children found it very interesting to hear the scientists, see the location and the work that is being done. It brought everything to life for them.
This field trip along with the last allowed our learners to ask questions, be inquisitive and actively involved in what is happening in our world.
The children love these experiences. This was such a great follow up to the earlier Kaikoura earthquake field trip and built into our own study of Natural Disasters. It has added to our deep and thorough learning. Can't wait for the next one.
This virtual field trip took my teaching to another level - I have integrated LEARNZ into my Google Classroom environment and this is brilliant. Students enjoyed the ability to ask questions during web conferences and appreciated being able to go back and review them.
My class were able to learn at their own level and pace, at the same time exploring the Principle of Learning to Learn and reflecting on how best they learned. Great to see my students raise their level of questioning and their confidence and independence since our first LEARNZ web conferences, on the previous field trip.
Very engaging for Year 7 & 8 students. Students had a lot of opportunities to direct their own learning using the Chromebooks; they were managing self. This was my first LEARNZ trip so really pleased to discover this is another way to bring science into the classroom in such a real way.