In the Beginning

On Thursday 20 July Paul and I started our journey with The Mindlab by Unitech.

      The Mind Lab by Unitec is a collaboration between Unitec Institute of Technology 

      and The Mind Lab. It draws on the education expertise of both organisations to 

      provide teachers and their students with the opportunity to learn how to integrate 

      technology, enhance digital capability and activate new teaching practices in the 

      classroom.  

      (https://moodle.unitec.ac.nz/course/view.php?id=3490)

The Post Grad work Paul and I are doing is The Certificate in Applied Practice (Digital and Collaborative Learning)

We will explore

• How to build learning around the ‘learner’ and away from a one-size-fits-all model of education
• Collaborative learning environments that balance the relationship between being ‘teacher-driven’ and ‘student-centered’
• Resources within a learning environment, including physical and creative spaces, technology and software
• Industry and community input to create real-world learning environments that explore risk-taking and creative problem solving
• Student entrepreneurship including crowd funding, start-up networks, and turning business ideas into marketable solutions
• Integration of digital tools and technology to enable idea sharing across the curriculum
• Modern learning environments including ‘bring your own device’, and WiFi infrastructures
• Talent Clouds – school networks of like-minded student communities that promote independent collaborative learning

The certificate is made up of four papers which will be completed over the next 32 weeks. The first two papers will be run as a mix of on line and face to face sessions. The face to face sessions run from 4-8 at College Street Normal School.

Leadership in Digital and Collaborative Learning (CISC8104)

Credits: 15 credits (0.125 EFTS)
Aim: Lead innovation in digital and collaborative learning that draws upon concepts of transformational leadership theory, educational theory and research.

Digital and Collaborative Learning in Context (CISC8110)

Credits: 15 credits (0.125 EFTS)
Aim: Based on contemporary educational theory, policy and research, identify and evaluate the potential for digital and collaborative learning to impact on educational practice and outcomes.
Applied Practice in Context (CISC8100)

Credits: 15 credits (0.125 EFTS)
Aim: To critically examine and contextualise practice and research in relation to contemporary and historical issues in New Zealand workplaces and society including tikanga Maori, Te Reo Maori, social policy, ethics, environment and law.
Research and Community-Informed Practice (CISC8101)

Credits: 15 credits (0.125 EFTS)
Aim: To become a critical consumer of research relevant to practice/field and following deep understanding begin to formulate key research questions in field of study relevant to community.