Technology helps keep North kids connected

Pani Hauraki says it is amazing what kids can learn using iPads. Photo / Michael Cunningham

At 67, Northland principal Pani Hauraki is keeping up with the kids - on her iPad that is.

She was one of 650 teachers from around the region who packed out Whangarei Girls' High School to talk about technology and education. The Digital Horizon conference aimed to get teachers inspired, push the boundaries and step out of their comfort zones.

Ms Hauraki, principal of Broadwood Area School, said as of Tuesday all of her 100-plus students had iPads, tablets or laptops.

"You just give children these devices and they're away," she said. "We have to match that interest."

While today's technology-focused teaching style was different to when she started in 1968, teachers should not let it be difficult, Ms Hauraki said.

"You can't help but be positive. There's no room for negativity."

The technology available gave her isolated, decile one Far North school greater access to the rest of New Zealand and the world.

"What they can do is amazing. These kids can access anything they want anywhere in the world, anytime they want."

Technology allowed some of her NCEA students to learn from teachers based in Otago. Meanwhile, some subjects were taught almost entirely on the portable devices.

"Because we're isolated our kids can't be disadvantaged," Ms Hauraki said.

Since 2012, the school had been strongly focused on improving its technology focus.

Key note speaker at the conference Derek Wenmoth, director of e-learning at Core Education, said the new style of learning should not be frightening to parents.

"We fundamentally haven't actually changed much," Mr Wenmoth said.

"It's more digitised and it's flashier ... but actually we're thinking of doing it in the same way we used to."