A sample of outcomes we have delivered for New Zealand education providers β from national-first qualification accreditations to award-recognised programme design.
Dr Christine Fenton, MRSNZ, wrote Green School New Zealand's successful application to gain University Entrance equivalence for its High School Diploma (Advanced) β opening a pathway for its graduates to New Zealand and international universities.
Christine and Michael completed the design, development and NZQA application for Green School New Zealand to deliver the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Levels 3 and 4) β the first secondary school in New Zealand accredited to offer this tertiary qualification as an alternative to NCEA. Christine led the qualification design, staff mentoring and application; Michael contributed STEM content, curriculum design, Google Classroom instructional design and assessment design, and taught in the programme.
"This school really has achieved the creation of the most relevant, inspiring and beautiful curriculum and pathway that will lead learners on to local and global universities, and beyond." Green School New Zealand
"Unique school qualification" β Green School NZ Β· "Green School will offer unique NZQA pathways" β Taranaki Daily News
Dr Christine Fenton has developed a number of micro-credentials for the Primary ITO, including biosecurity qualifications recognised by industry.
"Micro-credentials give biosecurity industry edge" β Otago Daily Times
Michael and Christine were finalists in the 2015 Prime Minister's Education Excellence Awards (Excellence in Leading) for the Open Polytechnic Primary Science Teaching and Primary Mathematics Teaching qualifications, taught by this husband-and-wife team. Michael took a lead role in programme design, course design, and wrote most of the content. The Ministry of Education interviewed the team along with two graduates who now lead science teaching in their schools.
"I have been privileged to visit the Open Polytechnic to see their online science and maths teaching courses first hand, and I know how impressive they are. The best thing is that the programme enables teachers to study while working, allowing teachers to put what they learn online into practice almost immediately." Chris Bishop, Member of Parliament
After running workshops and presenting research on the new Digital Technologies curriculum at ULearn 2017, Michael was invited by CORE Education to record an EdTalk: five points New Zealand teachers should know about the digital technologies curriculum β from thinking beyond Scratch and Python towards machine learning, to authentic cross-curricular assessment, to starting small and having fun.
"Christine works to the highest standards and easily understands and works through the complexities surrounding academic quality and portfolio review. She works with staff at all levels of the organisation in a positive and inclusive way. She is well respected because of this. Christine's academic leadership was instrumental in achieving Category One External Evaluation and Review status for WITT. I have the greatest respect for Christine's capability and have no hesitation in recommending her." Richard Handley, Chief Executive, Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki, 2008β2013
New Plymouth Girls' High School β taking science outside the classroom: Education Gazette article.
Fenton, C. D., & Karena, T. Designing an appropriate methodology to examine if the manifestation of MΔori values in a tertiary trade-based school were positively influencing the retention and achievement of MΔori students. PDF
Fenton, C. D., & Karena, T. Role of MΔori values on student retention. PDF
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