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.

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Preaching to the converted

October 27, 2004

Interesting piece on the web today summarising the findings of a UK study called the Adult Learning @ Home Project, funded by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), […]

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New Teachers Feel Alone

October 22, 2004

An article in this morning’s Auckland Herald highlights the growing tension around issues of professional development for teachers in our schools. The ERO report referred to in this article found […]

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SurfYourWork!

October 19, 2004

Here’s an interesting article from eSchool News Online For class credit, a Canadian high school student has created a web-based homework management system that allows students to hand-in assignments electronically. […]

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research and papers

News from the neurosciences

October 17, 2004

If there’s anything that has created a ‘wave of enthusiasm’ among teachers in recent times – as well as a chorus of concern from various detractors – it is the […]

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Increasing options through eLearning

October 14, 2004

Having just returned from the eFest in Wellington, I found it interesting to read some of the speaker presentations and white papers from the “No Child Left Behind Leadership Summit” […]

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Webnote

October 14, 2004

I came across this cool tool today. It’s called Webnote and is simply a web-based version of stickies (for mac users) or ‘turbonotes’ (for PC users). Seems a very simple […]

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Donkey John and the role of simulation games in Australian politics

October 10, 2004

Thanks to Vicki Smith who sent me this link – an interesting story about a simulation game that has been developed, based on the 1980s video game called Donkey Kong! […]

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Down with boring eLearning!

October 4, 2004

Great article in the latest edition of Learning Circuits titled Down with boring eLearning. It records an interview with Dr Michael Allen, founder and former chairman of Authorware which has […]

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research and papers

The value of laptops in classrooms

October 4, 2004

There’s been quite a bit of discussion around the place about the value of laptops in classrooms. A recent report published by Educause titled Miracle or Menace: Teaching and Learning […]

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Create an educational game!

September 30, 2004

For all those interested in the potential of educational gaming, here’s an opportunity to do something about it! The Liemandt Foundation, a nonprofit family foundation focused on promoting technology-enabled education, […]

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Pedagogy

The New Literacy

September 24, 2004

Came across this today and had to include it in my blog – what a great article for anyone wanting to access thoughts and ideas about literacy issues in the […]

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Virtual Learning Environments

September 24, 2004

Seems like the talk about the potential for virtual reality in education has been going on forever, but the technology hasn’t quite been up to it – until now it […]

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Bush floats new eLearning plan

September 21, 2004

Now here’s a novel idea – a New eLearning plan involving building an eLearning Clearinghouse to promote all the online courses available to students and adults from both public and […]

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Textbooks dumped in favor of laptops

September 21, 2004

The idea of computers replacing text books has been talked about for a long time, but this article from the eSchool News caught my eye because of some of the […]

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RLOs and all that…

September 18, 2004

I’ve just finished reading an entry in Dave Davies weblog about RLOs – well worth a read. He’s taken a rather satirical look at learning objects in an entry he […]

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eLearning Frameworks

September 17, 2004

Ever wondered what the components of an eLearning Framework might be?? Having been involved in this sort of discussion in a number of contexts over the past few years, I […]

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Educational Transformations

September 16, 2004

I visited the primary school that my son attends today to record an interview with the principal regarding her thoughts about building a learning community in her school. Her comments […]

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Blogs

All you need to know about blogging

September 14, 2004

Came across this rather irreverend look at blogging this morning (courtesy of George Seimens) Titled Everything you wanted to know about blogging but were too afraid to ask the author […]

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Too Much Schooling?

September 13, 2004

Now here’s a different piont of view… Digby Anderson… asks a much more radical question. Many young people, by the time they leave full-time education, will have spent 4000 days […]

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Learning for Life Portfolio

September 11, 2004

I’ve talked about this idea in various forums in the past, and in my work at The Correspondence School, have been actively looking at ways of incorporating a dynamic portfolio […]

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