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Waterview Connection newsletter 2

Waterview Connection Newsletter 2 for teachers

Tēnā koutou, Shelley here,

You are about to join me on the Waterview Connection 2 field trip which takes place soon (4-6 August). On the trip you will see how New Zealand's largest road project is progressing.

Things to do from this newsletter - (previous field trip newsletters can be read here).

1. Enrol your class

  • The Waterview Connection 2 trip begins soon (4-6 August). 
  • 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 Waterview Connection 2.
  • Two 20-25 minute audioconferences will be held each day on 4-6 August. 
  • 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. 

3. LEARNZ Backchannel

  • During the Waterview Connection 2 field trip, the LEARNZ team will be running a backchannel concurrently with live audioconferences. An explanation of the many ways the LEARNZ Backchannel is used to support the audioconference experience is at http://www.learnz.org.nz/support/backchannel.  
  • Look out for an email leading up to the field trip with an invitation to the LEARNZ backchannel that includes the link.
  • New: The LEARNZ Backchannel will be kept open for half an hour after each audioconference to allow schools to post further questions informally to be answered live. Schools do not need to book for the Backchannel sessions and can join in at any time.

4. Ask-an-Expert Web Board

  • Once your class has read the Waterview Connection 2 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.

5. Your suggestions

  • Do you have suggestions for the Waterview Connection 2 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.

6. Encouraging Parental Involvement: Home-School partnerships

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 Waterview Connection 2 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 Waterview Connection 2 virtual field trip.

Ka kite anō,

Shelley
LEARNZ Field Trip Teacher.

   

Newsletter: 
Newsletter #2
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