Ultrafast Fibre supports HEDON for technology in classrooms

16 May 2013

Ultrafast Fibre supports HEDON to enable technology use in classrooms

Ultrafast Fibre announced today it will be the major supporter of the Hamilton Education Open Network (HEDON) to enable and support schools to use ultra-fast fibre broadband to its maximum benefit for classroom learning.

Southwell School Headmaster, Royce Helm, is a Trustee of HEDON, which was established in 2009. He says around 45 Waikato schools are now part of HEDON and hundreds of teachers throughout the wider region are supported through its work.

“HEDON’s objective is to teach Waikato teachers about how to use the latest technologies in the classroom to help students get the best learning outcomes. We do this through our annual conference, regular information-sharing workshops and by getting facilitators out to schools to help with implementation,” he said.

Headmaster Helm said HEDON is helping Waikato teachers keep up with learning technology trends.

“Learning technologies are moving ahead at an incredibly rapid speed and one of the roles of HEDON is helping our participating schools to stay one step ahead. By working together and sharing, all our teachers can advance more quickly in the way they use ICT in the classroom,” he said.

Maxine Elliott, CEO of Ultrafast Fibre, said HEDON is doing a great job of preparing teachers for the revolutionary role fibre will play in schools.

“As HEDON helps Waikato teachers acquire more advanced knowledge of ICT learning tools, they are well-prepared once they are able to connect to ultra-fast fibre broadband.

“For those schools that are already connected to the Ultrafast Fibre network in Hamilton, we’re hearing great stories about how the learning benefits for students are multiplying at an even faster pace,” he explained.

Dave Winter, Dean of e-Learning at Southwell School, plays a lead role in HEDON by helping teachers at other schools acquire new technology skills. He says, “A challenge for today’s teachers is implementing personalised learning. Students are bringing their iPod Touches, iPads and laptops into the classroom and we need to enable them to use these devices in the best way possible. When we get it right, students’ aspirations and achievements outstrip those previously possible.”

Mr Winter says the biggest benefit students get from the increased internet speeds is the ability to connect with others and share in their learning.

“Fibre promotes ease of information sharing among students within the classroom and beyond. Our students are involved with projects such as designing their own technologies, video manipulation and even 3D design and programming. When they are working on projects together, fibre makes it really easy for them to get information from each other quickly and access knowledge easily.

When it comes to sharing outside the classroom, a great recent example was a local kindergarten that used Skype to speak with year one students at a primary school. The kindy kids had the opportunity to ask their friends all about what goes on at school, which demystified the school experience for the younger ones,” he explained.

Mr Winter said the support from Ultrafast Fibre would allow more teachers and schools to gain access to advanced learning opportunities and capabilities.

“Teachers can not learn about and implement ICT in the classroom to the best effect in isolation. HEDON is about increasing engagement and sharing among teachers, schools and the wider community. With HEDON in place, we will all get ahead faster as a result.

“We’re thankful to Ultrafast Fibre for supporting HEDON so that we can benefit even more schools throughout the Waikato,” he said.

Lead schools and Principals who are Trustees on HEDON include:

• Phillippa Wright - Hamilton East School
• Marie Gordon - Hamilton Girls High School
• Tanya Thompson - Hamilton Junior High School
• Clive Havill - Melville High School
• Mike Sutton - Rototuna School
• Royce Helm – Southwell School
• Marcus Freke - Vardon School

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