Students Embracing Online Learning Achieves NCEA Success

Students Embracing Online Learning Achieves NCEA Success

Embracing the online learning environment wholeheartedly was key to Alicia Miller’s high achievement in NCEA, and being awarded the 2015 Virtual Learning Award for Excellence at the second annual Awards ceremony in Wellington, hosted by the Virtual Learning Network Community (VLNC).

Awardees, family and peers attended both in person and virtually from around New Zealand via audio and video conferencing links, thanks to the generous support of Asnet Technologies, the principal sponsor of the awards.

Four exceptional individuals were presented their Virtual Learning Award by the Associate Minister of Education, the Honourable Nikki Kaye, who spoke of the importance of having the wider whanau and community being involved in education, including welcoming ‘Grandma’ - the grandmother of Alicia Miller, during her presentation speech. Students from Te Hapua School (the northern most school in New Zealand) also treated William Tailby to a waiata via their virtual connection, in a show of respect for the award that he received.

The 2015 Virtual Learning Award winners are:

Virtual Learning Award for Achievement - Alicia Miller

Alicia is a naturally shy person, whose confidence grew as the year progressed. She was an excellent role model for other students in the online classes and from her school. Alicia was truly dedicated to her studies, as she was determined to get to university. Without this online learning opportunity, she would not have been able to pursue her chosen pathway.

Two of her subjects were taken online, L3 Geography and L3 History, and Alicia obtained recognition in both, including Course Endorsement with Excellence in History, Classical Studies, and Literature Studies, and Course Endorsement with Merit in Geography. She gained her NCEA Level 3 Certificate endorsed with overall Excellence.

“Alicia’s story is a fantastic example of how virtual learning is increasing the opportunities available for individual students, helping them to achieve their goals, and plan for their future careers.” comments Eric Greenop, managing director of Asnet Technologies.

“Alicia’s academic achievement exemplifies the hard work that eTeachers, ePrincipals and school clusters put in to create a streamlined and efficient learning method.”

Virtual Learning Award for Leadership - William Tailby

William is Principal of Kaitaia College, and has embraced educational change in the digital space in schools through leading by example for over ten years. He was an early adopter of video conferencing for hosting meetings amongst Principals, challenging the Education Ministry and the PPTA to use the technology at their fingertips rather than travelling. William has strongly supported, encouraged and been instrumental in the rapid growth of the FarNet virtual learning cluster from the original nine schools in 2004 through to the existing 24 schools in 2015.

Virtual Learning Award for Building Capacity - Jude Knight

Jude holds many roles in her home school of Taradale High in the Baylink virtual learning cluster. Jude has gone from being eDean in 2011 through to ePrincipal in 2014. Her diligence and commitment are confirmed by the 90% pass rate of students who have undertaken learning through the VLNC during Jude’s tenure. Since taking on the role of ePrincipal last year, Jude has encouraged a greater collegiality and instigated processes that improved communication and support, and has lead to a new school joining the Baylink cluster for 2015.

Virtual Learning Award for Enabling E-Learning - John Goodhind

John taught through the Virtual Learning Network Community for the first time in 2014, and did an outstanding job, with 100% of his students passing NCEA Level 2 Art History with Merit in his first year of teaching online.

John is constantly communicating with his students, reflecting both his organisation and passion for online teaching, which is reflected through a note from one of his students: “Mr Goodhind is passionate about the subject and it’s obvious to everyone he knows his subject well. I have done more work in my online class with Mr Goodhind than any other, and I understand it better”.

Asnet Technologies' sponsorship of the awards compliments a long time involvement in education, including management and support of the NZEdNet video conferencing network and the video and audio conferencing bridge for the Ministry of Education.

“Once again Asnet Technologies is delighted to participate in the Virtual Learning Award. It is very pleasing to hear of and to actively participate in the continued progress of online learning in education through real world learning activities that are undertaken every day, resulting in outstanding achievement.” adds Eric Greenop.

ENDS

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