E-learning

Computers in Education (E-learning)

In 2010 Sunnynook School became the Host School for the Arataki ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) Professional Development Cluster involving Wairau Intermediate, Target Road School and Forrest Hill School. We have a three year contract with the New Zealand Ministry of Education to provide the skills and opportunities for teachers and students in our 4 cluster schools to learn through ICT.

The Schools had the combined vision to have: “a cluster of teachers and students who will be able to use current e-learning pedagogy and tools, to supplement and enhance current ways of teaching, and in particular explore new and different ways of learning. Teachers and students will have the capability to grow with technology, be confident, connected and actively involved life long learners.”

 The Sunnynook Board of Trustees and Parent-Teacher Association have supported this project through the purchase of equipment for our classrooms. At the start of Term 3 nearly every classroom will have a permanent data projector with mimeo interactive whiteboard, two iMac computers and teacher laptop, with the support of 20 iMacs/eMacs in the Computer suite. This is the beginning of a comprehensive 3 Year Plan to build up ICT hardware across the school for students and teachers.

Sunnynook has also had a major upgrade of its computer network with a School Network Upgrade Project (SNUP) funded by the Ministry of Education and Board to the value of $232,991.70. The project has replaced old slower cables with fibre optic cable to all classrooms and to the front gate in readiness for the Ultra Fast Broadband connection. Each classroom had an upgrade of data points and electrical wiring to cope with the extra computers etc. The SNUP also left space in the network for growth in technology for the next ten years at least.

 Sunnynook School teacher’s goals are to integrate e-learning effectively into their practice creating an innovative and exciting learning environment for all students. Teachers have been supported in this project through the Learning@school conferences, contact with ICT leaders, specialist meetings for new software and hardware, and in a variety of other professional development opportunities. On our website you will find links to Team websites and class websites which have been developed as part of this professional development. The websites are there to encourage and guide our students to become “successful digital citizens” through the use of the e-learning.