You can contact LEARNZ, part of CORE Education, at:
Postal Address:
PO Box 13 678,
Christchurch 8141,
New Zealand
Teacher testimonials
Virtual Great Walker
Relates well to developing thinking and analysis skills, applying information and evaluating conservation issues. Students used the information as a basis to do further research on NZ Great Walks.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
It was very engaging for all students and they learnt a lot. It was also easy to integrate across the curriculum. Very effective to encourage fitness and knowledge of other New Zealand Great Walks.
Our Inquiry is called "Waipahihi Kakariki". We are a pilot school involved in Kids Greening Taupo so it was very appropriate to our Inquiry. We are wanting to plant natives to bring back native birds into our area so this field trip supported it well.
It helped to put our school values and KC's in a real learning experience - one which the students could discuss. It also allows my class to have access to experts.
I integrated this field trip into my Literacy programme, with links to Health and PE, which is our overall focus this term. The Key Competencies are integrated into everything we do, Shelley did a great job at modelling many of these, Managing Self, Participating and Contributing, and Thinking for example. Great to have the "Listen" feature, which really helped my ESOL children. My class absolutely loved going on the Great Walk Trip. They learnt so much and it provoked many conversations, including the water cycle! I particularly thought this one was great for boys - what sphagnum moss was used for in the war, Ruud was a bit gross!!! The boys were hooked.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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'.
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.
Very engaging. Tied perfectly with our current inquiry into Hauora.
We thought it was brilliant! It tied nicely in with out Health, and Science topics. Kids loved the Ambassador and (the field trip) helped prepare for our own walks.
Children inspired to walk tracks and parents wanting to join them. Great topics, different way of presenting things in class, able to get involved through audioconferences. Differentiated readings and audio/video options meant all class could access information, including Special Needs children.
Our class is studying ecology in the lead up to our annual camp so the information was very fitting in all aspects.
Giving the students the option of listening to the background pages is fantastic! It takes away the fear of trying to read something that is 'too hard'. It also develops a familiarity with the LEARNZ teacher.
For the Year 7/8 class I was working with, the field trip tied in perfectly with their camp (Borland Lodge). It worked well using the background pages as build up prior to camp, then using the audio-conferences the week following the camp.
This field trip ... encouraged students to develop Future Focused thinking - how the way we interact with our environment now, impacts on the future.
Wetland Biodiversity
Ties in to EOTC with the school camp this week which will focus on ecological sustainability. Students are already talking about the Rangitata River with new terminology. The boys were especially entranced with it all.
I feel it covered all areas of the key competencies - I used it to foster new learning relationships within our class, and it was an excellent tool to draw out my innovative thinkers. Due to the video nature of this field trip, the students were very engaged.
Fitted in very well with our Term School focus of Kaitiaki and Science focus of Living World. Preparing for the audio conference extended our students thinking and created a whole new level of class discussions and understanding.
I particularly used the field trip in a Science context and looking at work scientists do (science capabilities). Videos had lots of content that was appropriate to use to discuss what scientists do. Community and participation as well as ecological sustainability were principles that were supported by the wet land field trip. We had a discussion about the drought as our overarching topic this year is water.
Great for our integrated units. Fun and engaging. Allows students to greater understand ICT and the topic at the same time. I was able to adapt the materials and information provided so that it aligned with our school values, structure and learning areas we are focusing on at the moment. Fantastic and well organised. Thank you.
Antarctica
The unit was an excellent opportunity to integrate the Principles, Values, Key Competencies across a range of curriculum areas within authentic learning situations. The students really enjoy the online learning resources, especially the audio conferences.
All students (Year 8, Levels 2-5) were able to access and make sense of the content. Antarctica fitted perfectly with our concept study of 'Environments'. It was our first experience and we will be back for more.
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.
The students became very curious about Antarctica. They couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next and were so upset if we didn’t watch everything first thing in the morning.
It was great to have people there in real time - it connected the students to the context. It was fantastic where they could type questions to the experts even though they didn't have a speaking role.
It motivated my top reading group. It was well organised, informative and something different to use as a reading tool/experience.
Fantastic links to the science curriculum AOs - lots of learning due high interest and combination of videos and great background information. Learnz is real world and happening at the moment. Where else can you get this sort of access to scientists and researchers?
The students were highly motivated throughout this field trip. A fantastic resource that can be used easily within any classroom setting to support classroom programmes around skills and attitudes we are fostering with our children.
Engages the students. Interesting material which covers a breadth of issues and topic areas. Students gained an understanding of the Antarctic food web.
It was a great way to learn about people places and animals without actually being there.
We used the Inquiry method to study Antarctica and we loved it! Shelley's videos created lots for discussion. Brilliant!
The field trip was very effective, especially from the view point of engagement and motivation as the students felt it was relevant and real.
WOW, what a powerful learning tool the Audio Conference was - our extension Year 3-4 students were so engaged in listening and learning that they didn't make a sound.
The 'real-time' trip increased motivation for students and hooked them into their learning. The virtual relationship with Shelley was a highlight. A class visit from David Wallace, who visited Antarctica in 2012, reinforced all the students had seen and inquired about through LEARNZ.
Caves Critters and Karst
Seeing people passionate about their interest is so encouraging for kids. We were focusing on fossils and limestone of North Otago, so it was useful comparing with Waitomo.
Fantastic - we were going to Waitomo on our field trip, and the timing and content could NOT have been better. Greatly improved audioconferences - the backchannel improved engagement, and the kids were highly interested in hearing their questions asked over the Internet, and the immediate responses.
This field trip tied in nicely with our Science topic this term. Students were highly engaged throughout the field trip and are highly passionate about using LEARNZ in the classroom.
Airport
The audioconferences put our students in contact with other NZ kids - connects them to their peers. Students were fascinated by the videos of behind the scenes at the airport.
Excellent self paced real world learning. Great to have multi media resources students could relate to. Individual support and emails made the programme more accessible for our Special Needs Class.
For many it was very engaging, and they especially enjoyed learning about customs as well as how an airport works and the many types of jobs that people do there. Students enjoy learning online - they love the videos and love seeing their ambassador and getting updates from him.
It built nicely onto our class trip to Oamaru airport. Children were engaged - videos and activities were much enjoyed. Audioconferences are a great way to engage the children - developing and asking their own questions is great.
The students and me learnt a lot more about an airport, what careers are available and how so many people are involved with the running of an international airport. It gave students who have travelled the opportunity to share their personal experiences with their peers, which made it even more realistic.
My class loves being part of the field trips, watching the teachers on the videos and listening to real people in real life situations. We were learning about transport with a technology focus so it was a very interesting topic for the children, pitched at a good level.
The field trip was a great way for the students to use technology to access information. They could decide what they wanted to find out about Airports and this gave them choices in their learning. I like the interactive nature of the field trips and having an ambassador creates a great connection for the children. Great multilevel materials for all levels.
Suited all students regardless of their knowledge of International airports. All were interested in the behind-the-scenes look at how an airport works.
Best when you build an inquiry unit around the Field Trip. Being able to ask questions using Back Channel was particularly useful during audioconferences. Great to have access to experts that you would otherwise not have access to. The video footage and commentaries were a perfect length.
Was incredibly engaging for the students. They learnt a lot more about digital citizenship as well as working together in a community group. They also found out a lot about what goes on when they arrive in a country and in regards to the process of an airport.
We had a fabulous visit to New Plymouth Domestic airport as well as the virtual field trip to Christchurch International Airport. We had lots of fun and the virtual field trip provided a good range of activities.
Great outside of the classroom learning and the kids love the fact that it is a virtual trip.
Easy to use loads of resources, visual and device friendly, mascot was great connector. My students enjoyed the 4 language options as this included every student except my Kiribati one. Being able to put questions to experts in the live audio conference as well as in the back channel chat was great.
I had a careers focus with my Year 7&8 class and I could not have chosen a more effective venue than an airport. The LEARNZ experience cannot be matched for engagement and student enthusiasm.
Was impressed with how my children were engaged in the videos and ambassador updates. Although my class is Year 2, I was able to cater the activities and videos for their ability.
The field trips work for independent and well as peer work. They ignited passions the students didn't even know they have! I have a number of low ability readers in my class, being able to listen to the text is fantastic.
It was such an engaging learning experience for my Year 9 class. This was my first experience (with a LEARNZ field trip) and I was so pleased it was a success.
Geohazards
Great material, age appropriate, to generate interest and questions. Great engagement. Students gained knowledge of volcanoes and geothermal activity, connected to wider New Zealand.
Waterview Connection
LEARNZ is a great way to engage students and take them places that it is not possible to go any other way. Videos and images allowed the class to interact with the field trip in an engaging way,
The students get to see places they often would not get to see. They are introduced to amazing concepts and get to think about how this may affect them in the future. We used the easy background information which was very well suited to our Year 5 class.
Because it is our backyard it was very useful for the children to understand fully how huge this project is. A really good link to our Inquiry topic and the careers work we have been doing.
It was appropriate for us since we live in West Auckland and the students travel near the Waterview area. The students were fascinated with the work that Alice does. I will use LEARNZ again as it is an important digital learning community that encourages the students to collaborate and expand their learning in their own time.
Related closely to our transport topic for the term, which had a technology focus. High levels of student engagement in this topic, very interesting. The children also enjoy doing the interactive activities.
This field trip made us all think about population in cities, progress in transport and caring about environmental issues, and it really made the students unpack the information given and think about their open ended questions. Our students attend an isolated, rural school and enjoy learning about the technologies used in the cities and our global world. This was our first time participating and I would do it again.
Students learned more about a huge project that is occurring in their local area and have an interest and awareness that can be built on as the project continues, either in school or with their families. Our Year 4-6 children have shown huge interest in accessing the video content and audioconferences in free time, and have actively asked for extra time to do this with their Netbooks.
We thought the field trip was friendly, effective and interesting. Waterview project is local to our school and the Year 8 girls were interested in the development.
This is amazing! It has created some excellent discussion amongst our class. My class would have loved to see Alice in action live but your virtual accounts are a brilliant substitute!
It is structured really well and it gives the children and authentic context within which they can learn. It was appropriate for my class because we are living within a citywide rebuild (Christchurch) so the planning and implementation of infrastructure is completely relevant. It motivated many of them to log on at home to support their learning.
He Hokinga Whakaaro
We used some of the background pages to support learning about the arrival of Europeans as part of a Treaty of Waitangi unit. We also used the Marae Protocols material and quiz as part of our preparation for a Marae visit. I found the targeted use of specific web pages (on the site) useful for a mixed range of levels.
Engaging and interesting for the children - they enjoyed the videos and especially the interactive activities. I loved how the children were really motivated to read and use keywords from the background pages so they could get 100% on the activities! There were also some wonderful gems from the audio conferences which we discussed and learnt from as a class.
Good to get affirmation that other schools in NZ are learning about the First Encounters. Lots of opportunity for role play and integrated learning. The audio recording was most valuable as an addition for those who find difficulty in reading.
It backed up our camp from last year when we looked at the Waitemata Harbour and we are looking forward to the upcoming LEARNZ field trip to Lake Taupo, continuing our water inquiry. On this field trip, students compared the two harbours which reinforced their learning.
Highly engaging and extremely usable! Students gained in constructing questions to put to experts. Interpreting and making meaning of a variety of language and symbols, managing self, relating to others and also developed a wealth of knowledge about the topic.
Geospatial
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.
Students from my digital class were very interested in how technology was used, particularly in planning buildings.
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.
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.
Freshwater Ecology
Our students loved being able to manage their own learning from the website and being introduced to new experiences such as the audio conferences. Great for the learners who have difficulties with literacy - easy background and listening features are excellent for them.
We particularly enjoy the videos and questions, as they are effective at any time. Followed on from our water study and reinforced our learning around water ecosystems. The field trips have relevance even when they don't exactly fit a planned topic. I am hooked!
Through the LEARNZ programme my students are developing more complex questioning skills and thinking critically about New Zealand and World issues. Lots of opportunities to gain skills in reading and writing, as well as in the Key Competencies.
LEARNZ field trips are resource rich and they are scaffolded really well. Layer upon layer of information goes on and children pick up knowledge directly and through class discussion. This field trip has motivated me to come back for more.
Students gained an appreciation of the ‘bigger picture’, of how clean water or polluted water affects so many things. Students really enjoyed it - it was aimed at their level.
Highly relevant to the students who self-regulated, worked collaboratively, and applied learnings locally. The multiliteracy approach is very engaging.
Tied into the 1.3 Geography Sustainability of tourism in Tongariro National Park. The videos gave great insight into the ecology of the area and how this ties in with all other things.
Because it was so interactive the children were 'hooked in' from the beginning. Listening comprehension was made to be fun as it was learning they were interested in. It covered everything we wanted to know and what we were learning about.
The children are completely enthralled with taking a virtual trip in their own back yard - they have taken their learning home and are working on informing others of their new knowledge. We are a Year 4 class so at the earlier stage of the Learnz system but it was really easy for the kids to get to grips with. It prompted much learned conversation and interaction from the children, excellent. Each of the Key Competencies was well covered.
Argo Floats
The opportunity to bring the outside world into my classroom is invaluable. Operating a digital classroom means students can work independently on the challenging video questions and choose to follow up with next steps when they want. Students recognised that this trip was really taking them to places they would be unlikely to ever see.
It fitted into the Level 3 Earth & Space Science Oceanography topic very well and extended able students in this Scholarship class. Also an excellent way to gain an understanding of careers in Science as well as current scientific research in NZ.
Love the two levels of reading in background pages. Also the audio. Great for students who have dyslexia. All students gained knowledge of the wider world and how scientists collaborate.
The students we highly engaged. They love doing the LEARNZ field trips. It has activities that they can use in and out of the classroom, and it promotes a blended learning approach.
Fabulous videos and audio conferences! Loved them! Awesome way to "move the walls" of the classroom and let the students experience and engage in things they never would have the opportunity to otherwise do.
Students loved it. Specifically noticed lower level students had high engagement and enjoyed the whole-class, real-world learning.
Harbours and Estuaries
Students were able to make comparisons between Ohiwa and our local Ahuriri estuary. The field trip challenged them to think about what it means to be living near a coast. Covers diverse areas that would otherwise be inaccessible to my students.