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.

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Educational Transformation

Response to Bill Gates

March 23, 2005

Thanks to my friend Lisa Galarneau for sending me this link to the Eide Neurolearning Blog that is maintained by husband and wife team of Drs Fernette and Brock Eide […]

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Educational Transformation

Dealing with a legacy school system

March 21, 2005

I came across a post titled Dealing with a legacy school system by Kathy Sierra on the Passionate Blog which appealed to my interest in this topic. Subtitled “Someone forgot […]

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Educational Transformation

Connectivism – learning theory for the digital age

March 4, 2005

Seems to me that one of the biggest challenges we face in the school reform area is redefining our curriculum, and the pedagogies associated with it. Over the years I’ve […]

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Educational Transformation

Secondary School Reform

March 2, 2005

My two eldest daughters have recently finished their secondary schooling – and I have a third currently entering her first year of NCEA. The eldest two went through the system […]

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Educational Transformation

Digital Literacy

February 4, 2005

An interesting ongoing discussion with David Stuart in the MoE research division on research priorities in the coming year(s). Seems one of the focus areas is likely to be to […]

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Educational Transformation

National Ed Tech Plan

January 31, 2005

The long awaited National Educational Technology Plan has been released in the US. It contains a range of recommendations, summarised in the following Action Steps: To help states and districts […]

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Educational Transformation

The New Learning Paradigm in School Education

January 18, 2005

A recent study identified the existing innovative trends in theories and practices in new learning environments in school education throughout the European Union. elearningeuropa.info , an initiative of the European […]

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Educational Transformation

National Learning Infrastructure Initiative

December 2, 2004

Came across this link today from the Educause site, detailing their National Learning Infrastructure Initiative. The focus of this group is on the things they call the learning infrastructure – […]

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Educational Transformation

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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Educational Transformation

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 […]

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