You can contact LEARNZ, part of CORE Education, at:
Postal Address:
PO Box 13 678,
Christchurch 8141,
New Zealand
As we were going to a local wetland for our own field trip it was really beneficial for the students to see another one first hand and then were able to make comparisons. The level pitched was right and the students were motivated throughout. Coverage is excellent, it is in kidspeak. Great to have the Maori perspective, vocabulary etc - we ALL used it.
Found the information about local iwi on the field trip relevant and the relationship with what they are doing to protect the area. Age level appropriate and high interest.
Andrew's videos were awesome. His interview questions and video shots provided a solid insight into the area and associated issues.
Inquiry into a real location and environment in Aotearoa. Children liked the audio conference, videos, and having an ambassador! My first time so in future I will include the readings as part of literacy and use the field trip for persuasive writing.
For students, the 'big idea' that what they do does count. Fabulous 'virtual' trip for low decile schools. Great for English language learners.
All Our Yr 5-7 students took part. The audio conference in particular was great for all our kids.
Having our ambassador go along created real buy in for the children.
Very appropriate - local area made it more relevant and has led into our term 2 project. Students were able to look at local and global issues. They used research skills and inquiry processes - specifically relevant as they are well set out for students to follow.
The virtual field trip caters for all types of learning. Students enjoy doing the worksheets and researching them. Information pages are appropriate to their level. Videos are engaging and the questions help direct the students to focus in on the learning.
I love the integrated approach and potential. It is very useful to a small group of diverse ages (Y9-13) and backgrounds because I can always find 'an entry point' for everyone. My students are hospitalised ... the field trips are like a window on the outside world for them.
Specific information on tools used in the field of earthquake science. Excellent visual resources are a vivid method of relating facts and information, particularly for special needs learners
I'll use LEARNZ again because there is so much information for my Year 10 Social Studies class. There is the personal touch of having Shelley and the people she engages with and the kids knowing they are part of something national. I also like that they become familiar with different ways to access learning.
Authentic contexts, great research tool at appropriate level, and good for 'finding out' stage of inquiry. Students gained mapping skills, understanding 'behind the scenes' of mapping, why accurate maps are important, and how places are named.
This work compliments our unit on Earthquakes which works towards Geo 1.1. The Activities were interesting, set at the right level and engaged my students.
It was great for all children in my class, and I have Māori, Pasifika and special needs learners. Tied in excellently to our inquiry with a science focus and gave my children another avenue to explore, if they chose to, and exposure to a real world context.
The field trip inspired students to find out more about geographical names close to us. Engages students, ignites passion and interests the students didn't know they had; develops awareness of things that students wouldn't generally have access to. They love being a part of the audio-conferences.
Most students were able to understand the technical terms in the resources, particularly the better readers. Excellent for career guidance. In-depth field trip helps reduce the isolation of our rural school.
Really enjoyed using the back channel, great that we could ask further questions as we went along in the audio conference. Excellent opportunity for real life communication with people actually working in the field.
My Year 9 class liked the fact that the experts' answers were not too technical. The field trip was a different delivery format that the students enjoyed.
Students from my digital class were very interested in how technology was used, particularly in planning buildings.
Although our classes were Year 2-3 we felt the audioconference answers were delivered at a perfect level for our students. There were plenty of resources we could use and adapt to suit our learners. I had two special needs students who thoroughly enjoyed various aspects of the programme.
We are starting science fair and this was a good introduction. Wide range of students who all enjoyed it and worked at own level.
Different reading abilities of background information. I actually used these for teaching reading groups. They were fantastic reading material with challenging information.
It is an excellent way to get the children excited about a topic - especially when we can't physically go out and do it. They experienced learning in a different way - a way that otherwise we couldn't give them. Children learnt a lot about types of whales - and got excited to watch the next video update.
Use of Maori words and history helps us connect to NZ and the culture.