Author: Cam Swainson-Whaanga

The “Pros” of Gamified Learning  Gamified learning is a teaching methodology that creates a game-like scenario around the course curriculum and the objectives of the course. The purpose of these game systems is to promote student engagement and motivate students to participate in the course activities. The concept of gamified education has become extremely popular […]

Dad’s million dollar game for teachers  Encouraging a new approach to learning A dad has created a game that helps teachers provide Financial Literacy learning modules in a fun and engaging, gamified way! The students can earn up to a million dollars, in a virtual sense, to build infrastructure, housing and amenities in this new […]

The work never stops! Teachers tips to decision making for resources Teachers don’t stop working when the school day ends. “We do not leave at 3 o’clock every day and on the days that we might, it’s because we have something personal to attend to.” “Even though we get the summers off, most of us […]

The “Pros” of Gamified Learning Gamified learning is a teaching methodology that creates a game-like scenario around the course curriculum and the objectives of the course. The purpose of theses game systems is to promote student engagement and motivate students to participate in the course activities. The concept of gamified education has become extremely popular […]

Little known secrets that can help your teaching How to make lessons richer, more robust, and more relevant Scott MCleod and Julie Graber, authors of the book  Harnessing Technology for Deeper Learning, take a deep dive into comparing models and protocols that help teachers blend technology into learning environments and lessons.  Scott and Julie also […]

How to keep your teaching from being murdered Stressed Auckland teachers drop to four-day week: ‘The workload is killing people’  Increasing stress, long hours, and dealing with poverty is impacting on the health of our primary school principals. Teachers at a West Auckland school have dropped to a four-day week this year in an attempt […]

She didn’t learn practical IT skills that she uses in her teaching! Damning ERO review The Education Review Office (ERO) has found that many trained teachers are walking into their first jobs feeling unprepared for helping students with learning needs or using tests and data to assess student achievement. One teacher said “She didn’t learn […]

Teacher shortage ‘at crisis point’ How bad is it! Teacher shortages in secondary schools are at their highest since 2008, according to data compiled by the Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA). In recent years, more than 3000 jobs were advertised, with data showing a steady increase in the number of vacancies from a 2013 low.  […]

Does lesson planning need a new plan? Are old habits eating away valuable teachers time? For 100+ years, teachers spent hours designing lesson plans! Today, more teachers are using lessons planned by professionals, delivered through digital resources and educational technology platforms, allowing them valuable one on one time with students before and after school, as […]