Virtual schooling in Aotearoa New Zealand: The Kōtui Ako VLN story

Kōtui Ako Virtual Learning Network Aotearoa (Kōtui Ako VLN) is a nation-wide schools-based network providing online learning opportunities for school aged students. The kaupapa of Kōtui Ako VLN is to enable equity of access to the curriculum for all New Zealand learners.

In this presentation we showcase the wide range of learning experiences available through our schools’ network, explore how students and teachers are supported to grow their capacity in the online environment, discuss system wide benefits gained, and barriers and challenges experienced. We invite you to learn more about the opportunities that open, flexible, and distance learning has for our young people and share a vision of a future focused schooling system where we connect  beyond the classroom.

Facilitators

Rachel Whalley, MEd, is an ePrincipal with Kōtui Ako (formerly the VLN Primary). She was previously ePrincipal with the TaraNet VLN cluster and lead facilitator for Bardwired Central Taranaki ICTPD cluster. Rachel is passionate about equity and access to education and the power of technology to connect communities and open up new opportunities to learn.  

Dr Lucie Lindsay is Kōtui Ako VLN Deputy ePrincipal (Primary). Her previous roles include teacher professional learning development on using digital tools for teaching and learning, Primary teaching, and in Information Technology. Lucie’s PhD was on networked professional learning design. She is a Lead teacher in Kōtuitui Network of Expertise which provides professional leadership and support for online teaching and learning pedagogies.