Educational Transformation

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.

Educational Transformation research and papers

Linking Thinking

June 25, 2006

Thanks to Jeremy Heibert for drawing my attention to a report from Australia titled Linking Thinking: Self-directed learning in the digital age (pdf) . It’s a pretty big volume to […]

Educational Transformation

21st Century Learning Environments

February 7, 2006

I’ve been doing a number of presentations over the past week or so, mainly to new clusters and groups of teachers, talking about the “promise of eLearning” and how the […]

Educational Transformation

Education reform shows modest results

January 10, 2006

Back from a refreshing break, and what better way to start than contemplating what things may be of importance in the education world of 2006. Yesterday’s news of the appointment […]

Educational Transformation

Technology in schools – children and computers

September 5, 2005

Earlier this year I had the privilege of travelling to India to attend a meeting of the secretaries of education for each state organised by the National Institute for Open […]

Educational Transformation research and papers

Computers in schools but not always for teaching

August 30, 2005

Here’s an interesting piece of research that we should be taking notice of as we (in NZ) are reviewing our ICT/eLearning strategy for schools. “A new study indicates that computer […]

Educational Transformation

Smart Classrooms

August 13, 2005

Speaking of vision – I’ve been looking at the Smart Classrooms site from Queensland. The Smart Classrooms strategy brings together the future perspective and the momentum established by the 2002-2005 […]

Educational Transformation

Without a vision the people perish!

August 7, 2005

What is our vision for education in New Zealand in, say, ten years? What sort of picture do we have for how learners will be learning, what they will be […]

Learning Ecosystems Educational Transformation

Boundary Workers

July 30, 2005

Yesterday I spend an illuminating time in a workshop with Etienne Wenger , considered one of the founding fathers of Social Learning Theory and the concept of ??Practiced Communities??. The […]

Educational Transformation

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 […]

Educational Transformation

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 […]

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

June 25, 2006

February 7, 2006

January 10, 2006

September 5, 2005

August 30, 2005

August 13, 2005

August 7, 2005

July 30, 2005

May 23, 2005

April 23, 2005

What others say

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