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.

Diary entry

Top of the South Conference

September 9, 2006

We’ve had a great day at the Top of the South conference for ICT PD cluster staff from all over the Nelson/Marlborough area. This conference is now in its sixth […]

Podcast how-to

September 8, 2006

I’m about to drive up to Picton to give a keynote and workshop at the Top of the South conference for ICT teachers in the Nelson-marlborough region – but as […]

Clash of Cultures

September 6, 2006

Article in a recent edition of Wyoming’s StarTribune.net titled Virtual School Hits Obstacles tells of the efforts of a local school district to open a ‘virtual elementary school’. It’s an […]

Taking a ride on the moon

September 2, 2006

When I visited Wellington last weekend I had my 9 year old son with me. We were fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time to […]

research and papers

MySpace forges ahead

August 31, 2006

I’ve just been doing a little research around the extent of use of some social software applications, and came across a recent Hitwise competitive intelligence study, in which it is […]

Diary entry

Kids Maths doesn’t add up

August 25, 2006

The news item that greeted me on the radio this morning dealt with Otago University’s latest National Education Monitoring Project reported to reveal a marked decline in pupils’ knowledge of […]

Diary entry

Bringing remote schools in Samoa online

August 24, 2006

Just back from Samoa where I’ve had an extremely useful time interacting with people from all over the Pacific at the PacINET conference in Apia. Yesterday afternoon, before I left, […]

Diary entry

PacINET conference, Samoa

August 22, 2006

I’m currently sitting in the opening sessions of the PICISOC PacINET conference in Samoa. I’ve been asked to present a session on blogging, in particular, how it serves as an […]

Mission Maker

August 22, 2006

I appreciated a comment by TIm Price-Walker to my recent post about Alice, an interactive, 3D games programming application. Tim pointed me to MissionMaker, developed out of a partnership between […]

Game Design Software for Sale

August 19, 2006

Sitting at the airport clearing emails – having just flown back from Malaysia and now waiting for a plane to Samoa where I’m going to be presenting a session on […]

Wild About Wikis

August 16, 2006

I’m currently working in Malaysia, having some interesting discussions concerning eLearning and the use of ICT in education. Reflecting on some of these discussions, particularly those where emphasis is placed […]

Tackling online learning in our secondary schools

August 11, 2006

I???ve just spent the day in a workshop hosted by the PPTA called the Distance Learning Collaborative Video Clusters Meeting. It was attended by an eclectic group of some of […]

research and papers

History of Wikipedia

August 9, 2006

Really useful article just sent through to me by Michaela from the National Library titled Can Wikipedia conquer expertise? published in The New Yorker . The article is rather long, […]

Activist Games

August 8, 2006

A late night IM chat with my friend Paul Rodley led me to explore the emerging world of Activist Games. Paul is currently exploring the use of these within the […]

Educational Competency Wheel

August 3, 2006

An interesting release from Microsoft is this free “HR tool” – designed to assist school administrators fill staff positions. Microsoft says that the Education Competency Wheel will help in the […]

Learn to program interactive 3D graphics

August 2, 2006

Funny how some things simply pass you by – I was introduced to Alice earlier this week after attending a PTA meeting at the Christchurch South Learning Centre where they […]

Pedagogy

Teacher Professional Development

July 27, 2006

Still in OZ – I presented a MasterClass session to about 50 educators at the Technology School of the Future in Adelaide last night. I had some really interesting discussions […]

Skype for Mac with VC out now

July 26, 2006

Great news this morning via TechCrunch – Skype has released a new version for Mac. Video support is finally available, though it???s a separate download. in beta form at the […]

Diary entry

Innovative portfolio development

July 25, 2006

I spent the morning today with Stephen Palmer (pictured above) who is the ICT Manager at Essendon North Primary School here in Melbourne. Stephen is a remarkable young man who, […]

research and papers

PEW Internet Blogging report

July 24, 2006

Thanks to my colleague Jedd for drawing my attention to the latest report from Pew Internet titled Bloggers: A Portrait of the Internet???s New Storytellers ( PDF download available here […]

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