Hikina a tātou ākonga kia haere kōtui tātou ki tua
Walk hand-in-hand with us to uplift our learners and safeguard the future
Who we are
Kōtui Ako VLN is a collaborative network of Primary and Secondary schools and kura serving Years 0 – 13, who work together to improve access to educational opportunities for their learners, via the online environment.
Participating schools are able to offer their learners a wide range of programmes, based on the New Zealand Curriculum and NCEA qualifications.
By contributing to the Kōtui Ako VLN online learning community, schools gain access to over 100 programmes, enabling them to more successfully meet the learning needs of their students.
What we do
Our team enables collaboration between schools, their learners and their online teachers, through a reciprocal teaching and learning exchange.
Learners are engaged both synchronously and asynchronously through the use of weekly video conferences and digitally curated learning environments.
Online pedagogy and practice of teachers is enhanced through an ongoing professional learning development programme led by our experienced and skillful team.
What are the benefits:
Ākonga/learners
- Access to a wide range of learning opportunities;
- Improve communication and self-management skills in authentic contexts;
- Improve digital literacy, learner agency and confidence;
- Build on interests and passions;
- Build connections with others beyond the classroom
Kura/schools
- Access to a wide range of curriculum opportunities;
- Access to qualified, registered, specialist teachers;
- Enable flexible timetabling solutions;
- Develop independent, self-managing, digitally competent learners
Kaiako/teachers
- Professional development for online pedagogy and practice;
- Improve digital competence in teaching online;
- Teach within areas of skill, strength and passion;
- Teach from within a school context, or flexibly from anywhere
Student Voice
Our Nationwide Online Community
Our strategic purpose is to enable schools and kura to access high quality educational opportunities for their ākonga/learners through online learning.
TOTAL NUMBER OF SCHOOLS
114
TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTRATIONS
1421
Keep up to date!
News
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Nau mai, haere mai ki te Kōtui Ako | Virtual Learning Network Aotearoa
Kia ora koutou katoa, Kia orāna, Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Nĭ hăo 你好, Annyoung haseyo 안녕하세요, Namaste, Assalām alaikum, Hola, Bonjour, Hallo!
It’s great to see our students’ learning come to life as it did for Valerie from South Westland Area School. Her artistic talents were recognised in postage stamps that she (and we) received earlier this year. Too good to use, they will be framed for our wall of fame!
We are promoting several learning opportunities this month (suitable for both Primary and Secondary learners):
We have spaces available in our Gifted programmes due to start next term. These are suitable for learners up to Year 10.
Our partnership with the Korean Education Centre enables us to bring you Korean classes at no cost. This is a great opportunity to get involved in online learning at your school AND learn about the popular Korean language and culture.
We have a great NZSL resource in our talented eTeacher Janine. We would like to hear from you about how Janine can work with you across our schools network with NZSL language support and support for learners. Find out more about NZSL opportunities and give us your feedback.
Canadian researcher Dr Michael Barbour begins his study tour in Aotearoa. Michael has a long relationship with educational practitioners and research experience with virtual and distance learning in New Zealand and internationally. Kōtui Ako VLN has operated for nearly 30 years in a policy and resourcing vacuum. Michael’s work will be important to inform the sector and advocate for sustainable support for online learning opportunities.
I was privileged to join Taranaki Kāhui Ako PLD day recently. If you would like us to share the Kōtui Ako VLN kaupapa with your Kāhui Ako, LSC / RTLB, school or principals’ network, please invite us to participate in your upcoming hui.
Finally we share the first notice of our upcoming AGM. We expect all member schools to attend, so please Save the Date!
Its been a busy term in schools as it has for us here too. I know you are all looking forward to a well deserved break over Easter.
Ngā mihinui o te Aranga
Rachel, Amanda and the Kōtui Ako VLN team
Read the full publication
Kōtui Ako | Virtual Learning Network Aotearoa Pānui March 2024