You can contact LEARNZ, part of CORE Education, at:
Postal Address:
PO Box 13 678,
Christchurch 8141,
New Zealand
Teacher testimonials
Waterview Connection
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.
Geospatial
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.
He Hokinga Whakaaro
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.
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.