This week it's ...Marlene Jackson. Marlene is a primary trained, secondary science teacher in Porirua. Her profile reads, "Love the challenge, the culture and the warmth of the kids I share my days with. I learn far more from them than they will ever realise." 

Marlene has contributed to a number of discussions recently: Brain compatible learning and problem-based learning. We value the sharing of your ideas, Marlene, many thanks.

Each week, we like to say thank you by nominating a community member for active participation in the Enabling e-Learning / VLN Groups. They can download and add an Enabling e-Learning badge to their profile.

Leadership & strategic direction

Professional Learning  

Check out e-Learning & Professional Learning>>the Enabling e-Learning website.

 Teaching and Learning  |  Digital Citizenship 

• VLN Primary latest newsletter - http://eepurl.com/mr0J9. Via Rachel Roberts

• Useful Creative Commons sites: Useful Creative Commons resources shared in this thread. Any more to add?

• Samoan Language Week: Samoan language week may be over, but there is a rich variety of resources shared, that we can use every day in the classroom. 

• Understanding brain-compatible learning: You might be interested to see and hear what educators, educational psychologists and scientists are saying about learning.

• Asked teachers what challenges they are facing?: Great video to show what they are thinking. Does this ring true for you? Via Dave

• Our first 3D online art gallery is almost live. Check it out. Well done to Sam Cunnane and his students.

• Problem-based learning: A variety of interpretations on this model. Marelene asks if there is anyone out there using this approach in senior classes with NCEA assessment as the end focus?

• Te Wiki o te Reo Māori: The dates for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori/Māori Language Week are 23-29 July. This year, the theme is Arohatia te Reo, which means 'to cherish the language.' Via Tania Coutts.

• Olympics: Digital resources to support the games: TKI have a great resource, Olympic Education – with teaching resources, certificates, posters, medals, as well as access your own Olympian for a day. 

Technologies & Infrastructure

• Ultra-fast broadband and your school -what's happening?: Useful information on choosing a retail service can be found in Enabling e-Learning in TKI.

• How do you measure student engagement in online discussion forums? Nick Ford shares a free application to vizualise social interactions occurring in online discussion forums. Does anyone else have a resource they use?

• Internet filters and best practice: Mary St George asks, What is the current thinking around the best practice use of internet filters in New Zealand schools?

• The Innovative Educator: Bring your own device - Questions to consider – The buzz in 1-to-1 right now is about BYOD. It's not a fad and it's not going away. There's a convergence of factors causing it…Read more >> Via Allanah King

• Looking to create social media or BYOD? – Blog post with some advice about advice about policies concerning social media, BYOT, and cell phones. Via Barbara Reid

• Interactive projectors: Pros and cons: Do you have experience of interactive projectors in your schools? If so, what have you found the pros and cons to be, in terms of their flexibility for supporting learning?

• Can anyone help? Megan Stewart asks, What free online resources has anyone used that is similar to Kidspiration or Comic Life?

iPad/iTouch technology

• Should a teacher take their own ICT to school? If they do and it getsdamaged who pays? Many people take their own iPad to school to support their children's learning. Should we? What if it gets damaged? Who pays? Via Allanah King.

• Storage of work on iPad: Sandy Anderson asks, How are other schools/teachers storing student work completed on an iPad?

• Studyladder: Jo asks, Anyone using studyladder on iPads in their classroom? 

• Top 15 iPad Book Apps – Most exceptional use of animation | The Digital: Just as the title reads. Via Allanah King

• Dozen Best (Initial iPad Setup): I was given the challenge of picking my best ten apps. What's yours? Via Allanah King.

• Sensu Artist Brush & Stylus for iPad and Touch Screen Devices: This is a paintbrush for an iPad. Take a look at the video- amazing stuff for artists. Via Allanah King

Check out e-Learning and Technologies>>> the Enabling e-Learning website.

For your calendar...

Enabling e-Learning Webinars: ENROL NOW!

• ENROL NOW! >> Webinar: e-Portfolios in the classroom, 14 Jun 2012  #eTeach

Look out for more up-coming Enabling e-Learning online events planned for the rest of term 2. Enabling e-Learning webinars: Find the recordings here for 2011/2012 sessions you may have missed.

e-Learning events around NZ

• LEARNZ Virtual Field Trip: Wandering Whales, Sciences/Social studies virtual field trip, 20 June

• Ignite Auckland and Ignite Wellington, 21 June, 6pm. #ignite

• EduCampCHCH 2012: Burnside High School, 23rd June 2012

• Open Education Resources, Copyright and Creative Commons licensing workshop - 20 Jun 2012 - 3 Jul 2012

• Learning without Limits seminars: nationwide in 24 locations, from 23 July for eight weeks.

• ConnectED 2012 - Community development day, 13 July.

• NetHui 2012, 11 Jul 2012 - 13 Jul 2012, Sky City, Auckland #nethui12

• EduCampAKL: Stonefields School, Auckland, 21st July, 10am-3pm

• ULearn12, Auckland Sky City, October 10 - 12. Targets all educators, from preschool to tertiary. #ulearn12