Website scoops international award

Two Team Solutions staff members at the Faculty of Education at The University of Auckland have won a prestigious international award for using online media to support teachers in Auckland and Northland.

The Digital Pathways Devel­opment (www.digitalpathways.org.nz) is an interactive site which provides professional development and resource materials for teachers so they can better provide career education for students in year seven and above.

It is particularly useful for teachers in rural isolated schools where access to professional development is more limited.

Team Solutions, based at the Faculty of Education, provides professional development support for teachers.

The resource won the Scholastic Achievement Award at the Rich Media Impact Awards held in Wisconsin, USA in April.

“This is the largest and most significant Rich Media Award internationally, and is seen as a benchmark in the industry,” says project co-developer Mark Dashper, who is based in Warkworth.

The Rich Media Awards recognise excellence in the practical and creative integration of Mediasite software in business, education, health and government.

The Scholastic Achievement category recognises an educational initiative that harnesses the power of rich media to improve communication, learning and outreach.

The resource is funded by the MoE’s Special Project Initiative, and is run on a budget a fraction of the size available to others nominated for these awards.

Mr Dashper and fellow Team Solutions facilitator Nicola Riley have been delivering the Digital Pathways Development project in Auckland and Northland since 2009.

Schools access live and on-demand presentations through webcasts presented by Mr Dashper and Ms Riley and guest facilitators via webcasting from a studio in Warkworth.

There is particular emphasis on guidance for Maori and Pacific students and those who have been identified as being at risk of leaving school unprepared for the transition to the workplace or further education.

“It’s about preparing students with what they need for the future and gives purpose to what they do at school – so it helps with engagement and motivation in the classroom,” says Ms Riley.

“Teachers love the fact that they can access this resource at any time,” says Mr Dashper.

“Our records show 12,880 hits over the last year and teachers are often downloading presentations out of school time, in the evening and weekends and even up to midnight.”