High Country hi tech Newsletter 2 for teachers
Tēnā koutou, Shelley here,
You are about to join me on the High Country hi tech field trip which takes place soon (12-14 May). On the trip your class will find out more about the technology used to manage land in the high country.
Things to do from this newsletter - (previous field trip newsletters can be read here).
- book your audioconference now to secure a time that suits your class
- continue to prepare for your students' participation in the field trip by working with the background readings and completing the activities
- prepare your class to put questions to experts and listen to a live audioconference
1. Enrol your class
- The High Country hi tech trip begins soon (12-14 May).
- Please enrol all the classes you are taking on this field trip; this enables us to report accurately to our supporters, continue to offer LEARNZ free of charge and it helps us to support you and your students.
2. Audioconferences
- Personalise the field trip for your students by taking part in a live audioconference using the MoE audiobridge at no cost. During audioconferences students will be able to put questions to experts who are in High Country hi tech.
- Two 20-25 minute audioconferences will be held each day on 12-14 May.
- Details about connecting to audioconferences are in your MyLEARNZ control panel.
- All you need for an audioconference is a speaker phone. Skype and Adobe Connect can also be used.
- Check the audioconference topics on the timetable and book your audioconference now by emailing Shelley the LEARNZ Teacher
- Participating in audioconferences is a great class activity. Take it from these teacher comments regarding previous field trip audioconferences:
3. Ask-an-expert web board
- Once your class has read the High Country hi tech background readings, students are welcome to ask questions on the Ask-an-Expert Web Board.
- Students should read 'Guidelines for using Ask-an-Expert' before posting questions. Students don't need to register when posting questions.
4. Your suggestions
- Do you have suggestions for the High Country hi tech field trip website? Maybe you would like a video made on a specific topic or a career for your students.
- Email Shelley the LEARNZ Teacher if you have a request for content such as field trip videos, audioconferences, diaries or photos.
5. Encouraging Parental Involvement: Home-School partnerships
- Teachers, you can communicate with parents about supporting your students' learning during this field trip. Find out how and get the text for a letter or email home.
6. Webinars
- The LEARNZ team invites you to listen to the recorded webinar from Wednesday 22 April. This webinar covered both the Geohazards field trip and the High Country hi-tech field trip.
- The next webinars will be for the Kauri field trip at 3:30pm Tuesday 5 May and for the Love your Rubbish field trip at 3:30pm Wednesday 20 May.
7. Twitter updates
- Follow me @ShelleyHersey #learnztrip on Twitter during the field trip for highlights as they happen. Get involved and I’ll catch you in the Twittersphere!
8. Contacts
If you have questions regarding the field trip please email Shelley or call the Teacher Freephone 0800 CALL LEARNZ (0800 22 55 53).
9. For teachers who are new to LEARNZ:
- There is no prescribed way of using a LEARNZ virtual field trip.
- Curriculum links are available for you to check and see how the field trip relates to your class programme.
- Use your teacher access login (username and password) if you use the site for planning purposes.
- Give the class login (username and password you set up for them in MyLEARNZ) to your students to use.
- For help with login procedures see login explained and/or call 0800 22 55 53.
- There is a planning sequence in the Resources section under the heading Contributions. This short term lesson sequence makes use of all field trip components for a 3-day virtual field trip.
- The Prepare students section of the High Country hi tech site ensures your students are ready when the field trip gets under way.
- The background pages give an overall idea of the topic and can be used to generate further inquiry. The activities consolidate new learning and encourage deeper thinking.
- During the field trip your class can follow the action in my daily diary, watch the videos, and ask questions or listen during live audioconferences with our experts. Combined with the background readings, the activities and Ask-an-Expert, these components are powerful mediums for inquiry learning.
I look forward to you joining us on the High Country hi tech virtual field trip.
Ka kite anō,
Shelley
LEARNZ Field Trip Teacher
