You can contact LEARNZ, part of CORE Education, at:
Postal Address:
PO Box 13 678,
Christchurch 8141,
New Zealand
Testimonials
Virtual Great Walker
Definitely sparked some very valuable discussions on stewardship of our natural resources. Worked well in bringing the reality of the walk to students who are unfamiliar with these areas.
Gabriel Hawke from St Mary's School Hastings
From the start of the trip, the students were actively engaged - making connections with their own lives and new information they were receiving - even our hunters were interested! Throughout this year we are looking at environmental issues and what we can do to help - as individuals and as a school. This field trip aligned with this nicely.
Marcia Ferguson from Rosebank School Balclutha
Very engaging. Tied perfectly with our current inquiry into Hauora.
Courtney Wiedel from Ashburton Borough School
It (LEARNZ) is the best online learning community I know of for NZ students. Working with real scientists on real issues and practical matters such as preparing for a tramp really fired the imaginations of my students. It has been fantastic for my ESOL learners, particularly the videos and it is great to be able to listen to the text as well.
Sue Hodge from Elm Park School
Integrated reading and writing programme used to maximise the relevant, meaningful context offered by LEARNZ. Integrated PE fitness programme using our local environment. LEARNZ has provided spring board for further learning on local walkways, conservation issues, and planning our own expedition. Another great trip, catering for all learning styles.
Stuart Cooke from Methven School
Photos and videos were great! I have Year 1 and 2 children so I chose the activities etc that I though were most appropriate to support our virtual walk.
Stephanie Kitto from Clyde School
The children were enthralled by this trip. They all want to go and walk the Routeburn for real now! A great way to 'hook' the children in. So interactive and 'real'.
Joanne Mortimer from Weston School
We are about to follow up the Virtual with our own 'Great Walk' in the Catlins. Great motivation an assistance with planning and risk management. This Field Trip was a superb avenue for exploring our devices, forming cooperative groups and accessing the curriculum. Even struggling readers found plenty of information and were able to follow with ease.
Martin Dodge from Balclutha School
Ruud Kleinpaste's enthusiasm was very engaging for the students. The field supported: Principles - Learning to learn; Future focus (sustainability) Values - innovation, inquiry, and curiosity; ecological sustainability Key Competencies - Thinking; Managing self (encouraging students to think about how to prepare for a tramp); Participating and contributing (encouraging students to think about what they can do in their own area) Learning Areas - English (Listening, Reading, and Viewing); Science (Living World, Planet Earth and Beyond) Vision - Connected (seeing what the kids from Glenorchy are doing); Actively involved (encouraging students to think about what they can do); Lifelong learners (tramping is something they are likely to do throughout their lives).
Sarah Hoult from Waiheke Primary School
I have a Yr 5 6 7 class and all were interested. LEARNZ helps with the range of learning abilities within my class. It also gives students from different backgrounds a variety of different experiences that they may never have the chance to do.
Karen Catchpole from Wairere School
The students had their own inquiry questions and enjoyed the freedom to move around the field trip. They are learning to refer to their evidence in their statements of writing, and a LEARNZ field trip is a great resource for doing that.
Suzanne Paice from St Bernard's School Brooklyn
Audio conference was brilliant - by far the best component of the field trip (for us)! I used it (the field trip) from a health and physical education and science perspective.
Sarah Gaskin from Chertsey School
Engagement levels were awesome during our field trip. A GREAT FIELD TRIP! Lots of discussion, questioning, making connections. We linked some of our camp planning to the field trip, especially in terms of preparing for our hike and looking at the species of plants and creatures in our camping environment. Allows another teacher (the LEARNZ Teacher) to be in the room! Lessons are easy to plan from the field trip.
Tinaka Pawa from Oturu School
My students loved Rudd and his enthusiasm for the great outdoors and flora and fauna. We have been doing individual inquiries on the Great Walks and used this one as a model to show students what is out there and what they could do. It integrated english, science, visual arts, health and physical education.
Teresa Hutchins from St Mary's School Hastings
We are learning about Living things so this field trip connected in with our science unit. As part of the Great Walks unit we are also trying to walk as much as we can this term which connects with the Key Competency of participation and contribution. Students found it very engaging and enjoyed being able to go on the LEARNZ website at home as well. One student and their family is now going to go and walk the Routeburn Track next school holidays.
Te Ireland from Karoro School
Interesting and inspiring for my year 4 students, LEARNZ quizzed and challenged my children to be deeper thinkers. The field trip was something 'real' the children could learn about and it linked to all KCs and the principles of the NZC. Great for all learner needs.
Nichole Bichan from Rosebank School Balclutha
Antarctica
We integrated the learning across all curriculum areas, which was easily done. All my students enjoy learning in this way and the background reading was perfect for my Year 4 class.
Jacqueline Barrett from Westbrook School
Very appropriate for Year 5/6 students, who loved the 'real' experience. Covers lots of the curriculum areas, from reading groups to individual programmes with students who have special needs. Web site means students can follow up at home and share with family what they have learnt.
Patricia Molloy from Turitea School
My Year 7-10 students can access the field trip whenever needed, not necessarily during the trip. Relevant topic. Students keen to learn more about Antarctica.
Ruth Soper from Southern Regional Health School
Listening to someone who was there reinforced how close we are to Antarctica and viewing the videos diaries really focused the students into the whole experience. The readings and activities made students manage their time appropriately.
Ian Timo from Linwood College
The audio conversations were brilliantly done along with the accompanying videos, plus questions being typed and answered while online. I have been intrigued and surprised by how much my young students have taken on board during the trip.
Lesley Johnston from Firth School
Very effective, especially the videos. Fantastic with much of the planning done for the time-poor teacher. This field trip is fully supportive of Principles, Key values and Competencies as well as learning areas of our curriculum, thanks.
Maureen Robertson from Verran Primary School
Provided real meaning and connections to topical subjects like global warming. There was a high level of interest about Antarctica from the students.
John Brunton from Marshall Laing School
It has taken my students to new worlds of understanding, given them purpose and focus to read and write about a 'real-life' topic that is of interest to them.
Alice Keeling from Springston School
Really enjoyed it! Lots learnt! Very effective - more so for the older kids but what my young enjoyed most was the diaries.
Nicola Douthe from West Park School