text: Magpie ICT Cluster Expo : Virtual Learning Network
  By Leigh Johnson 3358 days ago
  As part of our Magpie Cluster development we decided to run a Cluster Expo showcasing the work of our students and teachers over the previous 3 years.
  Goals 1,3 and 4
  Teachers will use a variety of e-learning experiences and digital resources to create exciting learning opportunities for students.
  To showcase the learning that has occurred amongst our students and teachers during the 3 years of the contract. All teachers will contribute to the Magpie ICT Cluster Expo to share an aspect of their e-learning integration in their own classroom.
  Schools given notice of Cluster Expo through their Lead Teachers in Term 1 2012
  Teachers collecting evidence of e-learning throughout Term 2 and 3
  Facilitators working with Lead Teachers at Lead Teachers Workshops giving guidance around the sorts of things that would be interesting for the Expo.
  Digikidz (18 from across the Cluster) worked with the Facilitators on different projects to upskill them in a variety of Web 2.0 tools for presenting and collaborating on learning. eg. Google Docs/Presentations/Maps, ScreenR, Photopeach, iPad apps
  All schools developed hard copy displays as well as having live demonstrations and tutorials on the day
  A photo competition was held for 3 age groups: Yr 0-2 / Yr 3-4 / Yr 5-6 and judged by 2 independent professional photographers. The categories were People / Landscapes / Nature / Digitally Enhanced. Both photographers commented on the high standard of the entries received and couldn't believe that students knew so much about photography.
  Commercial vendors, Noel Leeming and Class Wall Systems were approached to have a stand throughout the day of the Expo. These proved very popular.
  Two local newspapers attended the event and reported very favourably in the paper with large colour photos. See photos below.
  We created an Expo blog for the students to upload photos and stories - Picasa photos
  We also posted on our Magpie Blog about the success of the Expo
  The students are at the core of everything we do in terms of PD in schools - all the students who contributed, participated and connected with other students and teachers and adults were highly engaged and motivated by the experience and felt a huge sense of achievement.
  Students are powerful teachers and can be used to upskill their own teachers, peers and whanau.
  It is also important to include all stakeholders in an event like this to include whanau and the wider community to help build partnerships in learning.