Dargaville ATC to Make Learning More Interactive

Dargaville ATC to Make Learning More Interactive With New Whiteboard

Learning theoretical lessons will be more interactive at the Dargaville Air Training Corps thanks to an Interactive White Board donated by a local marketing company says 57 Squadron ATC Unit Commander FLTLT Barbara Gillatt.

Northland Media Services provider Oddjob PR donated an interactive whiteboard to the 57 squadron to assist with the theory training carried out by the squadron with FLTLT Gillatt saying that it will be hugely beneficial when assisting with some of the highly technical material cadets are required to learn.

While 70% of cadets time at ATC is taken up with practical activities including target shooting, bushcraft, flying and marching FLTLT Gillatt says cadets also need to learn the mechanics on the theory of flight, navigation, bushcraft and leadership.

These skills are recognised by the NZQA through Skills Active and New Zealand cadet forces and cadets are able to earn up to 50 extra credits towards NCEA qualifications.

"Cadets often come face to face with terminology and concepts which, while being useful to them in later life, are difficult to grasp," says FLTLT Gillatt. "I see the IWB helping with that."

Gareth Gillatt, owner operator of Oddjob PR, the company that donated the device, says he has previously used tools when teaching overseas and found he could use a wide variety of resources quickly and easily to teach a particular point.

"I could instantly call on pictures, audio and video to illustrate the meaning of a particular word or concept. If it was on the computer or the internet I could get it" says Mr Gillatt. "That capability is now there for 57 squadron instructors."

The ATC has already used the IWB to teach the movement of aircraft and aircraft engine parts and Mr Gillatt says cadets took to the device straight away.

"You could see cadets instantly interacting with the information on the whiteboard," says Gillatt. "The instructor was able to get detailed problems in front of cadets and then get cadets to solve them instantly."

FLTLT Gillatt is excited by the possibilities the IWB offers.

"Learning is more immersive now," says Gillatt. "Cadets will be involved and engaged even when they're sitting down in the lecture room and that's exciting."

ENDS

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