INTERFACE News and Views

WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING BY YOUR SIDE IN 2022

It’s been another challenging year for teachers and, once again, your dedication and hard work has been truly awesome. What lies ahead? Well, on pages 18-23 we’ve been thinking about the future and explore some of the trends and developments to look out for in 2022. Whatever is on the horizon, however, rest assured that we’ll be right there with you, supporting and inspiring your use of digital technology in your teaching. Thank you for being part of the INTERFACE family during 2021. We loved catching up with at our INTERFACEXpo events in May. And we couldn’t bring you this great publication without your input and support, which is more important now than ever to enable us to continue to provide this great resource for you, the educators of New Zealand.

Everyone at INTERFACE wishes you, your school and students, family, and friends, a happy and enjoyable holiday, and all the best for 2022!

INTERFACE OFFICE CLOSED: Please note, our administration, distribution and accounts team will be on holiday from Friday 10 December to Monday 31 January.

AND THE GAMEFROOT COMPETITION WINNER IS …

Congratulations to Victor Marian, a Year 9 student at Taupo nui-a-Tia College, who is the winner of our Gamefroot competition. His prize is a trip to Gamefroot’s studio in Wellington, which we’ll feature in a later issue. In his game, called Moa Run, players are a moa running away from Lake Taupo’s first eruption, having to dodge lava, smoke, and more. “Victor won because everything in his game was customised,” said judge and Gamefroot founder Dan Milward. “From the art assets he created himself, through to the type of game, everything about it was unique. Importantly, his entry included elements of storytelling about Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories, which aligned with the goals of the competition. “Victor is proof that our tamariki and ranatahi are capable of using digital tools to fulfill both the DT learning areas in the curriculum and, at the same time, apply those skills across multiple learning area. A job very well done!” Thanks to everyone who entered. There were some awesome games – keep up the great work with Gamefroot!

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OUR STUDENT MINECRAFT COMPETITION IS BACK!

Are your students mad for Minecraft? Well, get your thinking caps on and your blocks ready to move because our student Minecraft competition is back!

It will be launching in Term 1 next year and will run until the end of Term 2, so there’s plenty of time to take part. We’re currently finalising all the details. There will be a building challenge and different age groups. Going on some fantastic entries in previous years, we can’t wait to see what students can create. We’ll be updating information as we go at interfaceonline.co.nz/minecraft2022 More on teaching with Minecraft on pages 26-29.

ONCE AGAIN, WE’VE GONE DIGITAL TO MAKE SURE YOU RECEIVE YOUR FAVOURITE READ!

The continuing lockdown has meant we again faced major obstacles to printing and mailing out your favourite magazine. So, to make sure this issue of INTERFACE reaches you wherever you are in New Zealand, we’ve gone digital again. We hope you enjoy reading this convenient and interactive format. We’re confident we’re still bringing you the latest and best news, views and information about education technology. Let us know what you think at

comment@interfacemagazine.co.nz

Meet the team

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Greg Adams 027 255 1301 Greg.Adams@interfacemagazine.co.nz

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NEW ZEALAND INTERFACE™

(ISSN 1177-973X) is published six times a year by G MEDIA PUBLISHING LIMITED PO Box 25155, St Heliers Auckland 1740, NZ

MEET OUR LATEST COMPETITION WINNERS

As always, thanks to everyone who entered our competitions. Congratulations to the lucky winners. Plenty of you liked the sound of the My Audio Pet Portable Speakers. There was a choice of two. They went to Jamie Sanson, Cullinane College, Whanganui (monkey design) and Sandra Whipp, Logan Park High School, Dunedin (llama). We had three Mini Photoboxes up for grabs. The winners are Melanie Bardley, Sumner School, Christchurch, Erin Alach, Opononi Area School, Kaikohe, and Claire Humphries, Newlands College, Wellington. The Adjustable Long Arm Floor Stand is on its way to Margarita Thompson, Glenfield Intermediate School, Auckland. And lastly, keeping their workspaces super neat with a five-pack Cable Clip Desk Tidy will be Peter de Blois, Southland Girls’ High School, Invercargill, and Chris Buchan, Saint Kentigern Girls’ School, Auckland.

© G MEDIA PUBLISHING LIMITED 2021.

Editorial opinions are not necessarily those of the publisher. We do not endorse or accept responsibility for any third party featured in this publication, unless stated otherwise. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of information in this magazine, the publisher does not accept liability for inaccuracies, omissions or misinterpretations that may occur, and urges readers to always check online resources before using them in class.

INTERFACE Magazine is printed using certified sustainably managed materials.

Check out our latest competitions on pages 36 and 37.

NEW ZEALAND Insights. Predictions. Tips. Hunches. Explore what 2022 will bring. Pages 18-23 SUPPORTING THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN LEARNING ISSUE 109 TERM 4 NOVEMBER 2021 Thinking about the future $11