ERIC Number: EJ1120861
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1179-7665
EISSN: N/A
Keynote: FarNet Ten Years On--The Past, Present, and Future for Distance Learners
Alexander-Bennett, Carolyn
Journal of Open, Flexible and Distance Learning, v20 n2 p24-31 2016
This think piece by Carolyn Alexander-Bennett is a reflection of her keynote speech at DEANZ2016 conference, which was held from 17-20th April at the University of Waikato, New Zealand. In her speech Carolyn revisits the issues, developments, and technology trends that led to the birth of FarNet (an online cluster of schools catering for the teaching and learning needs of rural secondary schools located in the Far North of New Zealand). FarNet eventually became part of the wider New Zealand Virtual Learning Network Community (NZVLNC). Adopting a strong Maori cultural underpinning in her role as e-principal of FarNet and a founding member of the NZVLNC, Carolyn describes current developments in FarNet and how the work at FarNet is informed by two key perspectives--Davis's (2013) "arena of change" and Fullan's (2015) New Pedagogies for Deep Learning (NPDL). She then outlines the opportunities and challenges offered through online and digital technologies to support teachers and learners in FarNet and the VLNC, and encourages the wider educational community to partner in their work to ensure the equity and success of future online school students.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Distance Education, Electronic Learning, Online Courses, Web Based Instruction, Virtual Classrooms, Rural Schools, Secondary Schools, Networks, Educational Change, Educational Trends, Ethnic Groups, Pacific Islanders, Information Technology, Web 2.0 Technologies, Equal Education, Models, Competence, Values Education, Citizenship Education, Communication Skills, Critical Thinking, Cooperative Learning, Creative Thinking
DEANZ: New Zealand Association for Open, Flexible and Distance Learning. Open Polytechnic, 3 Cleary Street Private Bag 31914, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand. Tel: +64-3-345-8246; Web site: http://journals.akoaotearoa.ac.nz/index.php/JOFDL
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: New Zealand
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A