News

Come along and hear Julie McMahon (HOD Technology, St Hilda's Collegiate School) and John Creighton (HOF Technology, Burnside High School) discuss these revised assessment tools and how they can be utilised in programmes of learning. There will also be time for a question and answer section.

Participate in webinar 

• Register for the webinar
• Wednesday 28 March, 3.45 pm – 4.45 pm

Our latest newsletter is out now. Find out about, and register for, the free online webinars and forums available this term to support your professional learning and development.

• March newsletter »

To sign up for our newsletters:

1. Go to the Newsletters  page
2. Look for the heading Keep Informed – enter your email, and click on the subscribe button.

In this webinar, Catherine Johnson (Lead facilitator) will discuss the new learning progressions for digital technologies:

• what they are
• how they are embedded within technology and The New Zealand Curriculum
• what supports and information are available for teachers.

This webinar is useful for teachers who will be involved in implementing the new learning progressions for technology in digital technologies, including:

• classroom teachers in primary and secondary
• technology lead teachers
• syndicate leaders
• heads of technology departments/learning areas/faculties
• digital technologies teachers.

Participate in webinar 

• Register for the webinar
• Wednesday, 14 March 3.45 pm – 4.45 pm

The Minister of Education has outlined his Education Work Programme for the next three years. This maps out how he will realise this vision for the education system. The main components are outlined on the Ministry of Education's website – go to the Education Portfolio Work Programme  page. The Education Portfolio Work Programme: Purpose, Objectives and Overview is available as a downloadable PDF from this page.

From 1 March 2018, the Tela scheme will be managed by a new provider, Cyclone Computer Company Ltd. The scheme will be renamed TELA+ and be launched online on 2 March. From 2 March, the TELA website  will have a new design and additional features (login required).

The TELA+ scheme will no longer offer Toshiba devices but will add Acer, Apple, HP, Lenovo and Microsoft to its range. There will also be a wider selection of devices that will include laptops, tablets/hybrids and Chromebook models.

The Ministry of Education subsidy will continue for all eligible principals and teachers.

Any devices purchased under the TELA scheme before 1 March 2018 will continue to be covered for service and repairs under the original terms agreed at time of purchase through the TELA scheme.

More information

• The existing TELA scheme »
• Added features with the updated TELA+ scheme »

Stats NZ have produced 2018 Census Support Resources , which include resources for Primary and Intermediate schools in English and te reo Māori. The resources support the online census being held in in February/March. 

The resources are designed to support students to:

• see the relevance of the data generated in their own lives
• talk about data and the census at school and at home.

Student activities focus on:

• understanding different people's perspectives about the census using persona cards and engaging in an exercise to convince people of the value of participating in the census
• finding out about the languages spoken in New Zealand, including Māori language schools (kura kaupapa Māori)
• comparing the world they are living in now with the world they will live in in 2038
• supporting others to do the census is online.

The first newsletter for the year is out now. We have developed some useful new pages and videos to support planning for the year.

Find out more in the latest newsletter »

To sign up for our newsletters:

• Go to the Newsletters  page
• Look for the heading Keep Informed – enter your email, and click on the yellow subscribe button.

Each year Netsafe coordinates Safer Internet Day in NZ on behalf of the UK Safer Internet Centre. This year it is 6 February.

The theme for Safer Internet Day 2018 is "Create, connect and share respect: A better internet starts with you". This theme is an invitation for everyone to join in and engage with others in a respectful way in order to create a better digital experience.

• Download Safer Internet Day resources »
• Find out how you can get involved in Safer Internet Day now »

Today the Ministry of Education released the new Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko curriculum content.

The new Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko curriculum content is available from:

• NZ Curriculum online | Technology
• Te Marautanga o Aotearoa | Hangarau

The release of the content follows a consultation period with teachers, kaiako, schools and kura, parents and whānau.

Schools and kura are expected to integrate the Digital Technologies | Hangarau Matihiko curriculum content by 2020. It will be taught from Years 1–10, with the option to specialise from Years 11–13.

Resources and supports for teachers and kaiako

To complement the release of the new curriculum content, the Ministry have commissioned a range of resources and supports for teachers and kaiako to:

• build their digital confidence and capability
• support them to introduce the new curriculum content into their teaching and learning programmes.

These supports and resources will be available over 2018–20.

More information »

• Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko curriculum content goes live  – Ministry of Education announcement.

• Equipping students with skills for Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko learning – information on supports available is under the heading "What teachers and kaiako need to know".

• Digital Technologies and the national curriculum – what’s it all about?

The final newsletter for the year is out now. Read the latest updates and find out what's new on the website.

• December newsletter »

To sign up for our newsletters:

1. Go to the Newsletters  page
2. Look for the heading Keep Informed – enter your email, and click on the yellow subscribe button.

Each year Netsafe coordinates Safer Internet Day in NZ on behalf of the UK Safer Internet Centre. In 2018 this will be held on 6 February. Netsafe will be providing resources, imagery, stories, and information to help you celebrate this day in your classroom. These resources will be available in early 2018.

The theme for Safer Internet Day 2018 is "Create, connect and share respect: A better internet starts with you". This theme is an invitation for everyone to join in and engage with others in a respectful way in order to create a better digital experience.

Find out how you can get involved in Safer Internet Day now »

The Ministry of Education have closed off the Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko (DT & HM) curriculum content consultation process with the release of three reports outlining:

• the rationale for the new curriculum content and how it was developed
• the feedback received from the schooling sector and other key stakeholders
• the advice received from an independent Curriculum Advisory Group.

DT & HM feedback and synthesis reports 

1. Martin Jenkins consultation report  – summarises and collates feedback received from the public consultation.
2. Curriculum Advisory Group (CAG) report  – the CAG was established as an independent panel of experts commissioned to advise the Ministry on the draft DT & HM curriculum content and provide recommendations on feedback received during consultation as collated in the Martin Jenkins consultation process report.
3. Summary report   – outlines:
   • the process for developing and consulting on the draft curriculum content
   • the changes noted, and responded to, on the DT & HM curriculum content after considering submissions received
   • the next steps for the sector as the new curriculum content is introduced into schools and kura.

A fourth report, The Ministry of Education’s response to the Curriculum Advisory Group Report, will be available on request.

The new curriculum content will be gazetted in December. It will be available for all state and state-integrated schools and kura to use in their teaching and learning programmes from the beginning of the 2018 school year. All schools and kura will be required to implement the new curriculum content from 2020.

Resources and supports for teachers and kaiako

To complement the release of the new curriculum content, the Ministry have commissioned a range of resources and supports for teachers and kaiako to:

• build their digital confidence and capability
• support them to introduce the new curriculum content into their teaching and learning programmes.

These supports and resources will be available over 2018-20.

More information »

• Strengthening Digital Technologies Hangarau Matihiko in the curriculum
• Digital Technologies and the national curriculum – what’s it all about?

We have a fresh series of free online webinars and forums to support your professional learning and development, and build your e-capability. 

Find out and share what's on with your colleagues

• Term 4 Enabling e-Learning calendar of events
• Download the Term 4 flyer  to print for staff rooms
• Add events to your own calendar and share with your colleagues!

Our latest newsletter is out now. Check out what's new on the website and the free PLD available to you this term.

Find out more in the latest newsletter »

To sign up for our newsletters:

1. Go to the Newsletters  page
2. Look for the heading Keep Informed – enter your email, and click on the yellow subscribe button.

Consultation on new digital technologies content for the New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, the Māori-medium Curriculum, was launched today by Education Minister Nikki Kaye.

“The new curriculum content is about ensuring that students across all year levels have access to rich learning aimed at building their digital skills and fluency, to prepare them for this world," said Minister Kaye.

More information »

• Read about the new curriculum content for consultation – Strengthening Digital Technologies Hangarau Matihiko in the curriculum – consultation .

• Complete the online survey  seeking feedback on the proposed Digital Technologies | Hangarau Matihiko curriculum content.

• Attend a consultation workshop – Digital Technologies| Hangarau Matihiko Curriculum content consultation workshops .

Education Minister Nikki Kaye today announced an investment package of around $40 million over three years to enhance the digital fluency of our young people.

“This investment will help integrate new digital technologies content, released this morning for consultation, into the New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, our Māori-medium Curriculum,” says Ms Kaye.

$40 million digital fluency package at a glance

More information

• Read the full press release »

• Digital Technologies and the national curriculum – what’s it all about?

Our latest newsletter is out now. Check out what's new on the website and the free PLD available to you this term.

Find out more in the latest newsletter »

To sign up for our newsletters:

1. Go to the Newsletters  page
2. Look for the heading Keep Informed – enter your email, and click on the yellow subscribe button.

This new online survey tool is designed to provide useful information for school inquiry, review, and development. It can provide your school with important insights about its teaching practices, processes, and leadership.

The design of the survey ensures that:

• the items are based on robust research and are consistent with the New Zealand Curriculum, ERO's School Evaluation Indicators, and the draft Standards for the Teaching Profession
• it's completely confidential, NZCER developed and hosts the surveys and safeguards the data
• the principal gets sent a set of reports immediately after they close off the survey in their school so they can decide how best to use them.

Free to schools in Terms 2 and 3 each year.

NZCER will provide a national report at the end of the year.

Access the Teaching and school practices survey tool »

The 20/20 Trust's latest report, Digital technologies in schools, published April 2017, presents findings and information from the Digital Technologies in Schools survey. The survey objective was to ascertain how New Zealand schools manage access to, and the use of, digital technologies as a medium for curriculum delivery and student learning.

Specific areas of focus include:

• strategic planning and digital technologies
• digital tools for learning and personal digital tools
• internet safety and students
• te reo Māori resources
• the impact of digital technologies on learning
• barriers to the use of digital technologies in schools
• use of digital technologies to communicate with the wider community
• future-focused learning and stages of adoption of digital technologies by teachers.

The summary and full report are downloadable from the 20/20 Trust website .

The weekend media reported on a virus called WannaCry that is targeting computers of public organisations and private companies around the world.
 
Some schools may have been affected by this virus and we are writing to let you know what you should do and what we are doing to protect schools.

What is WannaCry?

WannaCry is malicious software that is taking control of computer systems by blocking access to a device, then demanding a ransom to unblock it. The virus, a type of ransomware, is largely being spread through emails when users click on links or attachments. Once a device is infected, the virus can quickly spread to all devices using your organisation’s network.
 
You can read more about WannaCry in New Zealand from CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team), the lead government agency monitoring the situation and providing advice on cyber security threats.

How can you protect your school?

• Keep your software up to date – Ensure all devices connecting to your school’s network are patched with the latest software updates. The virus is affecting devices using older versions of Microsoft Windows software (XP through to 2008 R2) by exploiting flaws in Microsoft Windows SMB Server. Turn automatic updates on wherever possible.

• Be cautious of email attachments and links and remind your staff and students to do the same – Everyone should apply a duty of care when clicking on links and opening email attachments. Note: these could be sent by people you know including students or staff who are unaware their devices have been infected.

• Check CERT for updates – Visit CERT’s advisory page, which provides updates and guidance on cyber security threats: https://www.cert.govt.nz/it-specialists/advisories

• Don’t become complacent and make sure back up files are kept off site

If your school has been infected, please report the incident to CERT immediately via its website: https://www.cert.govt.nz/businesses-and-individuals/report-an-issue/ and do not pay the ransom.

What is being done about it

N4L has blocked all traffic on the Managed Network that is attempting to connect to malicious IP addresses known to be associated with this virus. They are also actively monitoring the Managed Network to spot traffic patterns that may indicate suspicious activity from connected devices.

Web safety and cyber security requires continuous vigilance, education and duty of care around how devices are used. This virus may evolve and we will continue to work closely with our technology partner, Spark, and government agencies such as Ministry of Education, CERT and Netsafe to help schools keep their online environments safe for teaching and learning.