NCEA Level 1 or 2 in 2011? Think Virtual

NCEA Level 1 or 2 in 2011? Think Virtual.

Looking at subject choices for next year, Nicole could not find the subject combinations that she was interested in. She wanted a course that would focus on her career aspirations, where the learning was about real world goals and where she could work within a New Zealand cultural context. She was delighted when she heard about the New Zealand Virtual School.

Approved by the Ministry of Education, the New Zealand Virtual School Trades Academy is due to open next February. They will offer NCEA Level 1 and 2 learners the ability to achieve qualifications - such as NCEA and National Certificates - in a range of areas including 3D Animation and Game Design, Aviation Studies and Horticulture.

New Zealand Virtual School Trades Academy learners will use a wide range of modern technologies to improve their learning, such as podcasts, online learning environments and Skype. 'Classes', according to Learning Advisor Tracy MacCreadie, will be interactive and collaborative, with learners completing tasks that are based on authentic learning contexts and related to their real world interests and career goals. In core classes such as English and Mathematics kaupapa Maori is incorporated so that courses and learners are culturally connected and part of best teaching practice.

Fiona McGregor, who has worked on setting up the educational systems for the New Zealand Virtual School Trades Academy, commented that the foundation English and Mathematics courses will also have a distinct Inquiry feel, with learners given opportunities to have a real say in their learning and to complete it in contexts that are related to them and their peers.

Learners will also be given the opportunity to complete work placements so that they have the opportunity to experience the industry that they are studying and to get basic hands on experience. To sum it up, "it will be more convenient for students", said Nicole.

Tracy MacCreadie also explained that the New Zealand Virtual School Trades Academy will meet all of the requirements that are faced by regular schools, and provide real courses that have academic rigour and participate within the same systems of checks and balances.

NZVS Director Allan Jon commented that it is a crucial time of the year for young people across New Zealand with making decisions about their courses and that NZVS would like "to be at the table" with schools, young people and their whanau to help them plan their pathway for 2011. Allan Jon also said that depending on enrolment patterns "NZVS is either free or at an absolute minimum cost to schools", and that principals at local secondary schools across New Zealand have been given information about how this can work for both schools and learners.

He explained that Learners who enrol with the New Zealand Virtual School Trades Academy can either study full time with the organization, including their NCEA Mathematics and English, or part time in whilst completing the rest of their course through their local school. Learners will remain dual enrolled with their local schools and can still play in their local sports teams or participate in local school events like productions and Kapa Haka.

The development of NZVS has been supported by several high profile New Zealanders including author Gordan Dryden, the world's top-selling non-fiction writer, who spoke at a public consultation evening for NZVS.
The New Zealand Virtual School Trades Academy has several key partner organisations within the South Island - including The Catlins Area School where the concept was borne, Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti school in Christchurch (who will deliver some of the NZVS courses), the 4Trades Apprenticeship Training Trust and Telford Rural Polytechnic.

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