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.

Personalised Learning

June 22, 2005

Interesting discussion today with Oleg Liber, director of CETIS here in the UK. He and the team at CETIS have been working on a variety of eLearning projects in recent […]

Diary entry

Hi from Sheffield

June 21, 2005

Day one at the Alt-i-lab in Sheffield. A presentation from the chairperson of Digtial South Yorkshire provided an insight into why Sheffield has been chosen as the venue for the […]

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Diary entry

Hi from Newcastle

June 19, 2005

After finishing up with meetings in London I’ve headed up to Newcastle for the weekend to stay with some close friends who have been living here for five years, working […]

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Diary entry

Hi from London!

June 18, 2005

It’s been a few days since my last entry as I’ve been preparing for and then travelling to London, where, over the past two days, I’ve been participating in a […]

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Costs, benefits and ROI of e-learning

June 10, 2005

Thanks to Richard Elliott of UNITEC for pointing me to this resource… Titled Costs, benefits and ROI of e-learning the page provides links to resources that look at the costs […]

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research and papers

Coming to teach in the 21st Century

June 2, 2005

Thanks to my colleague John Delany who has just arrived back from Canada for introducing me to this report titled Coming To Teaching in the 21st Century: A Research Study […]

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Education Podcast Network

June 1, 2005

Recently released is the Education Podcasters Network , which aims to bring together into one place, the wide range of podcast programming that may be helpful to teachers looking for […]

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Fearless Students, Fearful Schools

May 23, 2005

An interesting blog entry titled Fearless learners, Fearful Schools by Will R on the Weblogg-Ed site got me thinking about many of the issues we face here in NZ. While […]

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Open Source Software reports released

May 15, 2005

The reports referred to in my April 29 entry on open source software use in schools, published by BECTA are now available from the BECTA website The project report from […]

Croquet anyone??

May 13, 2005

Here’s something I like the look of. Andrea sent me a note recently in response to my thoughts about LMSs. She recommended I take a look at Croquet , a […]

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More on LMSs

May 11, 2005

I’m prompted by Stephen’s response to my last post on Learning Management Systems to expand my thinking…. Stephen suggests a better starting point is to develop a process for needs […]

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Hamlet Online

May 11, 2005

Here’s a good example of the effective use of technology, taking advantage of what it does best! Stephen Downes drew my attention today to the release of a free website […]

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Learning management systems

May 10, 2005

I seem to have been spending a lot of time talking and thinking about learning management systems (LMS) lately – mostly as a result of participating a group considering an […]

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Open Source receives a boost

April 29, 2005

A couple of announcements over the past few days that will keep the open source community happy… The first refers to a release from BECTA regarding the use of Open […]

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Pedagogy

Today’s students think differently

April 27, 2005

A recent news release from netimperitive titled Youth abandoning old media quotes a recent US report that finds that… “less that a fifth of 18-34 year olds rank newspapers as […]

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Guide to Distance Learning

April 24, 2005

Here’s a really cool site that I’ve just discovered. Called the Guide to Distance Learning , the site has been created by the Regis University School of Professional Studies, and […]

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21st Century Skills

April 23, 2005

In the midst of all the work I’m doing in the NZ context at the moment the issue of skills for 21st Century learners keeps raising its head – what […]

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MMOG research

April 20, 2005

In a number of forums recently I’ve talked about the potential value of online gaming to the educational community, and hwo we need to be exploring ways in which we […]

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Pedagogy

Communications Theories

April 18, 2005

Just back from Montrreal after a long plane ride….! At the AERA conference there was considerable reference to educational theory in the various paper presentations and discussions. This can all […]

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eLearning Domain

April 18, 2005

Here’s a site I came across this week that provides an interesting read. Called the eLearning Domain , it has been developed by Prof. John Arul Phillips of the Department […]

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