The rural Taranaki school, Waitoriki, engaged with VLN Primary so senior students could take up extension opportunities and connect with other students their own age from around Aotearoa.

Teresa Jones, Principal of Waitoriki School, has seen the kura grow from sole charge through to over 50 students, three teachers, and two teacher aides. Carol Downer, one of the teacher aides, plays an important role in the success of VLN Primary, from setting up routines through to independent learning - processes which have developed over the years. Their VLNP journey began with providing connection and extension for year seven and eights, and a few years later they participated through reciprocity, and extended VLNP to years five and six.  

The reciprocity model

Teachers have the opportunity to take online classes with VLN Primary, and in return have an equivalent number of students from their school participate in a range of programmes at no cost. At Waitoriki, Whaea Jo was released to teach sign language for VLN Primary, which not only reduces costs, but up-skills staff in online tools and pedagogy.

Programme and student selection

Schools often ask us which programmes would be best suited to their students, and our answer is to ask your students! Having student input into programme selection increases enthusiasm for Zoom sessions and independent learning as they're engaging in their interests. Waitoriki have a process where students pick their top three from the prospectus, which enables a second choice if one is unavailable, and the opportunity to learn two subjects if teachers think they're capable. Capability is part of Waitoriki's Puriri Values which students need to have shown before they learn with VLN Primary.

"We look at their Puriri Values and whether they're going to be able to cope independently" Teresa Jones, Principal, Waitoriki

Setting up routines

In the first few weeks of semester support from an available adult plays an important role with device set-up, logging in, and respectful participation. As students show self-management skills - setting up and logging into  Zoom on time, completing independent activities, meeting participation expectations etc - adult support can ease.

Waitoriki student signing into Zoom — Image by: Jenni Hammonds
"It's really good have [Carol] as a teacher aide rather than a class room teacher as you have the flexibility to go in and be available for them. Where as if [she] was a teacher it would be a bit more limiting." Teresa Jones, Principal, Waitoriki

Devices and set up

At Waitoriki students share devices at school, so when they attend VLNP they grab a Chrome book, log in to their Google account so access their shortcuts to Zoom, Seesaw or Google Classroom. Students also have a VLN desktop computer to see their Zoom class and eTeacher. This way they can be using their Chrome book for activities and still clearly see what's being shared by the eTeacher or their peers. 

Waitoriki have positioned their VLN space next to Teresa's office so that if students are having trouble during Zoom sessions later in the year, she's there to lend a hand.

Waitoriki's VLNP space set up next to Teresa's office — Image by: Jenni Hammonds

Independent learning

Schools allow at least 30 minutes in school for students to complete tasks, activities or practice, independent of their eTeacher. Some students continue with learning at home, but it's important that there's time at school. At Waitoriki they do this collectively every Monday morning so Carol can be there to assist students, check activities are being done, communicate with eTeachers, and generally keep things on track. eTeachers give Carol access to Seesaw and Google Classroom for all the students so she can see behind the scenes. 

School support such as Carol are added to Seesaw or Google Classroom so they can see activities, leave comments, and generally see behind the scenes. — Image by: Jenni Hammonds

Both Teresa and Carol have noticed an increase in self-management and independence from students involved with VLN Primary.  

"They've become the experts in the classroom, the 'go-tos' for technology. Anyone can ask these kids for help and they generally know that they're doing". Teresa Jones, Principal, Waitoriki Primary

Thanks to Kōtuitui online teachers' network for supporting the development of this case study.