Taking it to the Classroom The Digital Schools Project

1
Taking it to the Classroom The Digital Schools
Project

• Tom Norcliffe
  Archives New Zealand

2
What we Did

• Digitised material previously used by school
  groups in analogue format
• Initially on CD ROMS covering a variety of themes
  from the Canterbury Provincial Archives
• Then dedicated class kits using NCEA language
  and structure
• Included digitised items
• Transcripts
• Contextual information
• Explanation on how to use primary sources
• Developed Digital Schools website to deliver this
  content

3
Why we did It

• Existing system was old
• Based on 7th Form History Unit Standards
• Same material being used potential for damage to
  items
• Increasingly hard for schools to take students
  off campus
• All factors combined to mean present system
  wasnt working
• The promise of the internet!
• The allure of digital content and presentation!
• The attraction of engaging students/teachers!
• The hope of kudos!
• The chance to one up Dunedin by doing it first

4
How we did It

• Worked closely with Paul OConnor, President of
  the CHTA, who explained NCEA and its terminology
• We didnt understand
• Paul tried again, this time slower
• Finally, we gained some basic understanding
  Tudor England is still a popular topic to teach
• Suggested the way forward structured material
  offering teachers a one click teaching option
• Chose two pilot topics - immigration and crime
  and punishment

5
What It looks like

• Suit three Achievement Standards for Level 3
  History
• AS 90654
• AS 90655
• AS 90656
• Products can be mixed and matched

6
How we sold It

• Launched with mail out and brochures to all local
  HODs
• Channel Marketing
• Surveys
• Email announcements
• Brochures
• Teacher Only Day
• Talks
• College of Education

7
Feedback on It
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Lessons we learned from It

• If you build it, how will you know that they
  come?
• Reasonable web stats, but lack of usable/useful
  feedback from target audience
• Success or failure?
• Currently on hold, although concept scalable with
  potential for national roll out but
• Collaboration key to the future
• History.net, Te Ara, MinEdu

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The end of It

• tom.norcliffe_at_archives.govt.nz
• www.archives.govt.nz/
• exhibitions/currentexhibitions/chch/ds.php