Derek’s blog

Derek’s Blog, launched in 2003, serves as a platform for sharing thoughts and reflections related to his work. It offers over 20 years of searchable posts, categorized by the tags below. Feel free to comment, as your feedback contributes to ongoing reflection and future posts.

eXe version 1.0 released

August 19, 2007

Yipee – version 1.0 release of eXe is now available. eXe is a freely available Open Source authoring application designed to assist teachers and academics in the publishing of web […]

The name of the game is work

August 18, 2007

I spent last week in Auckland interviewing teachers and students who have been a part of a pilot project using Mission Maker – a computer games authoring package from Immersive […]

Online safety – Presenting the Facts and Debunking Myths

August 17, 2007

Thanks to Simon Grehan who responded to my previous post and pointed me to the work of the International Congressional Internet Caucus, and a project titled Just The Facts About […]

Students gullible online

August 15, 2007

Concern about student safety in the online environment continues to be an issue worldwide. In my previous post I referred to the tension between the responses of moral fear and […]

News & current events

Moral Fear vs. Digital Faith

August 10, 2007

I’ve just spent the past few days in Melbourne, working with the Department of Education and groups from schools who are doing some exciting stuff in the area of integrating […]

The art of building virtual communities

August 7, 2007

Over on the TechLearn blog Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach has made another post titled The Art Of Building Virtual Communities that has generated a lot of lively discussion and feedback. This is […]

Meme: 8 Random facts

August 7, 2007

Aaaargh – I’ve been tagged by Jane – so here goes… First, the Rules: * Post these rules before you give your facts * List 8 random facts about yourself […]

Skoolaborate is Born

August 1, 2007

Gone live today, this new project called Skoolaborate which has been developed by staff and pupils at MLC School in NSW, Australia, which they describe as: Basically a collaborative work […]

What students think about the future of schooling

July 12, 2007

In thinking about what schools might be like in the future it’s imperative that we ask our students! They are the ones whose freshness of vision, and currency of experience […]

Diary entry

Millennium Development Goals Progress

July 10, 2007

Back in 2004 I was a part of a series of workshops at the Commonwealth of Learning’s Pan Pacific Forum in Dunedin where we focused our thoughts on the way […]

Virtual Learning Communities as a Canvas for Educational Reform

July 9, 2007

Sheryl Nassbaum-Beach has started a new discussion over on the TechLearn blog, titled Virtual Communities as a Canvas for Educational Reform. She poses the following questions at the start of […]

Stop building new old schools

July 2, 2007

A few years ago when I was worked as the eLearning manager at NZ’s Correspondence School it became very clear to me that the offerings of the Correspondence School were […]

Map of Future Forces Affecting Education

June 28, 2007

I’ve been spending a lot of time over the past few weeks re-visiting issues relating to CORE’s Ten trends, and thinking at a strategic level of where we’re moving to […]

News & current events

Perspectives on Cyber-bullying

June 20, 2007

The topic of Cyber-bullying was identified as one of CORE’s Ten Trends for 2007 at the beginning of the year, and it certainly has been in the news! It’s one […]

The future of image manipulation

June 20, 2007

I’ve had over a week from my blog due to the pressure of completing a very larger report on my work in Malaysia, but this morning I couldn’t resist – […]

Diary entry

The state of telecommunicaitons in NZ

June 10, 2007

I often enjoy listening to the “Sunday Group” interviews on National Radio on Sunday mornings – and this morning was no exception. Chris Laidlaw’s Sunday Group this morning consisted of […]

Virtual Schooling and School Reform

June 8, 2007

This new report just out makes for challenging reading. Although based in the US experience, the principles that are discussed are applicable in other contexts. For those whose interest is […]

Mobile the next big thing?

June 7, 2007

There’s been a lot of hype about mobile technologies becoming the “next big thing” for some time now, but a lot of it yet to be realised. this morning I […]

conference entry Diary entry

Online Conferences/Seminars of interest…

June 4, 2007

Just back from my trip to Malaysia, this week I begin work on the final report – and in mys “spare” moments will be participating in two online events: SCoPE […]

Pedagogy

Some excellent articles on the “Net Gen”

June 3, 2007

James Morrison has published the latest edition of Innovate (vol.3, issue 5) online, and it begins with some really interesting perspectives on the Net Generation to follow on from the […]

Please get in touch to discuss your plans. FutureMakers is an approved provider of Ministry-funded, regionally allocated professional development (RAPLD). Search for Derek Wenmoth on the MoE website’s provider list when making an application.

What others say

The Learning Environments Australasia Executive Committee has received a lot of positive feedback, which is greatly due to your wealth of knowledge and information you imparted on our large audience, your presentation has inspired a range of educators, architects and facility planners and for this we are grateful.

Daniel Smith Chair Learning Environments Australasia

Derek and Maurie complement each other well and have the same drive and passion for a future education system that is so worthwhile being part of. Their presentation and facilitation is at the same time friendly and personal while still incredibly professional. I am truly grateful to have had this experience alongside amazing passionate educators and am inspired to re visit all aspects of my leadership. I have a renewed passion for our work as educational leaders.

Karyn Gray Principal, Raphael House Rudolf Steiner

I was in desperate need of a programme like this. This gave me the opportunity to participate in a transformative journey of professional learning and wellbeing, where I rediscovered my passion, reignited my purpose, and reconnected with my vision for leading in education. Together, we got to nurture not just academic excellence, but also the holistic wellbeing of our school communities. Because when we thrive, so does the entire educational ecosystem.

Tara Quinney Principal, St Peter's College, Gore

Refresh, Reconnect, Refocus is the perfect title for this professional development. It does just that. A fantastic retreat, space to think, relax and start to reconnect. Derek and Maurie deliver a balance of knowledge and questioning that gives you time to think about your leadership and where to next. Both facilitators have the experience, understanding, connection and passion for education, this has inspired me to really look at the why for me!

Jan McDonald Principal, Birkdale North School

Engaged, passionate, well informed facilitators who seamlessly worked together to deliver and outstanding programme of thought provoking leadership learning.

Dyane Stokes Principal, Paparoa Street School

A useful and timely call to action. A great chance to slow down, reflect on what really drives you, and refocus on how to get there. Wonderful conversations, great connections, positive pathways forward.

Ursula Cunningham Principal, Amesbury School

RRR is a standout for quality professional learning for Principals. Having been an education PLD junkie for 40 years I have never before attended a programme that has challenged me as much because of its rigor, has satisfied me as much because of its depth or excited me as much because of realising my capacity to lead change. Derek and Maurie are truly inspiring pedagogical, authentic leadership experts who generously and expertly share their passion, wisdom and skills to help Principal's to focus on what is important in schools and be the best leader they can be.

Cindy Sullivan Principal, Kaipara College

Derek Wenmoth is brilliant. Derek connects powerful ideas forecasting the future of learning to re-imagine education and create resources for future-focused practices and policies to drive change. His work provides guidance and tools for shifting to new learning ecosystems through innovations with a focus on purpose, equity, learner agency, and lifelong learning. His work is comprehensive and brings together research and best practices to advance the future of teaching and learning. His passion, commitment to innovation for equity and the range of practical, policy and strategic advice are exceptional.

Susan Patrick, CEO, Aurora Institute

I asked Derek to work with our teachers to reenergise our team back into our journey towards our vision after the two years of being in and out of 'Covid-ness'. Teachers reported positively about the day with Derek, commenting on how affirmed they felt that our vision is future focused. Teachers expressed excitement with their new learning towards the vision, and I've noticed a palpable energy since the day. Derek also started preparing our thinking for hybrid learning, helping us all to feel a sense of creativity rather than uncertainty. The leadership team is keen to see him return!

Kate Christie | Principal | Cashmere Ave School

Derek has supported, informed and inspired a core group of our teachers to be effective leads in our college for NPDL. Derek’s PLD is expertly targeted to our needs.

Marion Lumley | Deputy Principal |Ōtaki College

What a task we set Derek - to facilitate a shared vision and strategy with our Board and the professional and admin teams (14 of us), during a Covid lockdown, using online technology. Derek’s expertise, skilled questioning, strategic facilitation and humour enabled us to work with creative energy for 6 hours using a range of well-timed online activities. He kept us focussed on creating and achieving a shared understanding of our future strategic plan. Derek’s future focussed skills combined with an understanding of strategy and the education sector made our follow up conversations invaluable. Furthermore, we will definitely look to engage Derek for future strategic planning work.

Sue Vaealiki, Chair of Stonefields Collaborative Trust

Our Principal PLG has worked with Derek several times now, and will continue to do so. Derek is essentially a master facilitator/mentor...bringing the right level of challenge, new ideas & research to deepen your thinking, but it comes with the level of support needed to feel engaged, enriched and empowered after working with him.

Gareth Sinton, Principal, Douglas Park School

Derek is a highly knowledgeable and inspirational professional learning provider that has been guiding our staff in the development of New Pedagogies’ for Deep Learning. His ability to gauge where staff are at and use this to guide next steps has been critical in seeing staff buy into this processes and have a strong desire to build in their professional practice.

Andy Fraser, Principal, Otaki College