THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK, THE DRONE IS ON ITS WAY TO …

During and after INTERFACE Xpo 2023, we asked for your thoughts in two ways. Firstly, those attending workshops were able to provide feedback to the presenter. Then, after the event, we followed up with a survey of those who attended.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete these. It’s important to know what you think and act upon this for the future – improving presentations and bringing you the best event possible. You’ve certainly given us plenty of food for thought. All feedback could be made anonymously. However, those who included their details went into a draw to win a Zero-X Foldable HD Drone. The first name drawn was Gillian Lolesi, Bailey Road School, Auckland. Congratulations. The drone is on its way to you!

Global Launch Of Kiwi Kai

It’s not every day we get to be part of a global launch. But we were delighted that Manaaki Whenua/Landcare Research chose INTERFACEXpo 2023 to officially unveil Kiwi Kai. The new educational game asks players to manage a virtual farm simulation that’s based on some very homegrown challenges, from the animals and environment, to language and customs. MacLeod (pictured left) presented on the development of Kiwi Kai at our Auckland event and has written about it for our gamification feature in this issue.

Find out more on page 21.

Meet Our Latest Winners

We had some great prizes up for grabs in the last issue. Thanks to everyone who entered. Congratulations to our winners.

The Hacker: Cybersecurity Logic Game proved popular and is on its way to Lisa Small, St Bernard’s School, Wellington.

The two Robi Mini Wireless Speakers go to Karina Campbell, St Patrick’s School, Napier (white) and Nicole Dawson, Salford School, Invercargill (blue).

Photography is going to a new level for Robin Tapper, Royal Oak Intermediate, Auckland, who wins the Puluz Photo Studio Light Box.

And the Sandisk Ultra 128GB SDXC Card goes to Nigel Timpson, Marlborough Boys’ College, Blenheim.

Check out the latest competitions on pages 30 and 31.

Protect Your School Against 99 Per Cent Of Cyber Attacks

WILL HECTOR’S WORLD MAKE A COMEBACK?

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is the most effective thing you can put in place to improve security at your school, believes the Ministry. Most people will be familiar with receiving a text message or using a code from a mobile phone app for two-factor authorization (2FA) – the difference with a physical security key is that it inserts into your device and you tap it to confirm that it’s you when logging in. Someone then needs both your password and your security key to compromise your security. A handy tip is to keep your security key on your keyring, so that you always have it nearby. If you lose it, your other IT admin can let you in, or alternatively you can use a backup code.

Once the security key set up is done, they’re easy to use and one is still going strong six years later for one of the Ministry’s staff members. Learn how to set up and use security keys at education.govt. nz/school/digital-technology/ securitykey-set-up/

Win 10 Yubico Security Keys For Your Kura Or School

The Ministry has 10 security keys from Yubico to give away for use at your kura or school. To enter the draw to win, just sign up to the Digital Download newsletter before 1 August by emailing digital. services@education.govt.nz, and putting ‘Yubikey’ in the subject line. Winners will be announced in the August issue of INTERFACE

MEET THE MINISTRY’S INTERACEXPO COMPETITION WINNER

Thank you to everyone who entered the Ministry of Education’s competition to win a drone at the INTERFACEXpo events around the country last month. Congratulations to winner Rebecca Colling from Scott Point School. Happy flying Rebecca!

THE ULEARN23 CONFERENCE IS BACK FACE-TO-FACE!

Tackling inequity in education and finding solutions is the focus of this year’s uLearn educators conference. It’s back face-to-face for the first time in three years in October in Tāmaki Makaurau. The full programme is being released in early July. For the speaker line up and to register go to ulearn.nz

Remember Hector’s World? Netsafe is seeking educator feedback on a potential update and relaunch. The online safety programme for primary-school children included engaging animated videos supported by lesson plans and worksheets. Netsafe wants your thoughts on what you would like to see covered and in what ways. You can complete the survey at bit.ly/netsafehwsurvey

More about Hector’s World at esafety.gov.au/educators/ classroom-resources/hectors-world

Te Pukenga And Apple Join Forces To Tackle Equity Gap In Tech

Te Pūkenga and Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI) have launched a programme to help address the tech sector gap for Māori and Pasifika peoples. As part of the effort, the tertiary institution will upskill approximately 30 teachers from 10 kura and schools in Auckland.

Participating kaiako will learn iOS app development with Swift Playgrounds, including app prototyping and design, digital media development, computer programming and user experience methodologies, resulting in educators completing a micro-credential in Digital Technologies Training. Teachers and their school communities will also receive ongoing support and a device grant from Apple, enabling them to implement their learnings effectively.

“We are proud to launch this programme into Aotearoa,” said Chief Executive Peter Winder. “Both Apple and Te Pūkenga are focused on delivering equity to traditionally underserved groups. This programme draws on the strength of our national network representing the country’s largest training organisation to engage the power of Apple technology in promoting change.”

New Cybersecurity Course Welcomes First Students

The first 30 learners of a new cybersecurity qualification have been welcomed onto Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae at Te Pūkenga Unitec in Auckland. The new course is designed to both address the huge growth in demand for cybersecurity experts and the under-representation of Māori and Pacific people in the tech sector.

Look Out For Netsafety Week Resources

Netsafety Week takes place 24-30 July 2023, with the theme: ‘Arming Aotearoa with the tools for positive online experiences’. There will be a variety of resources, webinars and education materials available throughout the week.

Launching July free to all schools!

One exciting tool for schools is a website created by Netsafe’s Youth Action Squad (YAS). It’s full of resources and step-by step guidance for students to set up and run a YAS, plan initiatives and enact positive online safety change in their school communities.

More at netsafe.org.nz/netsafety-week-2023/

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR ‘CREATIVES IN SCHOOL’ PROGRAMME

Khan Academy has launched Khanmingo, an experimental AI guide powered by GPT-4. For learners, it aims to mimic one-on-one tutoring experiences by providing tailored support, prompting critical thinking, and suggesting relevant resources. For teachers, Khanmigo can serve as an assistant that helps with administrative tasks to save time. You can register to give it a go at khanacademy.org/khan-labs

Us Government Report On Ai In Education

The US Department of Education has weighed in with its perspective on AI in education.

“We call upon leaders to avoid romancing the magic of AI or only focusing on promising applications or outcomes,” it says, “but instead to interrogate with a critical eye how AI-enabled systems and tools function in the educational environment.”

Schools can now apply to the Creatives in Schools 2024 programme. Since 2020, the initiative has supported more than 500 creative projects, which can cover various artforms from visual to performance to digital arts.

“The Creatives in Schools programme funds schools and teachers to collaborate with professional artists to deliver engaging learning experiences for students,” said Jan Tinetti, Minister of Education.

“We continue to hear positive stories from ākonga, kaiako, whānau, and the artists who’ve been involved in the programme. This is reinforced by the evaluations of the programme, which found that Creatives in Schools helps share knowledge and offers creative opportunities for teaching and learning in kura and schools.”

The programme is delivered by the Ministry of Education in partnership with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage and Creative New Zealand.

“Over 90 per cent of teachers involved in 2022 projects reported they helped students to develop critical thinking skills and self-management skills and supported students to express themselves and become more competent using language, symbols and text,” added Carmel Sepuloni, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage.

Applications close on 21 August. More at artsonline.tki. org.nz/Teaching-and-Learning/Creatives-in-schools

If you’d like to know more, you can download the whole report at ed.gov/documents/ai-report/ai-report.pdf

Google Launches Pocket Gallery For Museums

Google has teamed up with more than 50 museums and galleries around the world to launch Pocket Gallery, a new digital tool that helps museums and curators present and share their collections in virtual 3D gallery spaces. With just a few clicks, institutions can personalise every aspect of their galleries, from text to audio to colour schemes and beyond, opening up new spaces for cultural storytelling.

Peruse the 61 Pocket Galleries so far at artsandculture. google.com/project/pocket-gallery