Learner Agency

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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Digital conference entry Digital Education Leadership Educational Transformation Learner Agency

Who gets a say in the AI conversation?

October 14, 2026

By the final keynote at FLANZ 2026 in Dunedin, a pattern had emerged. Adrian Woodhouse opened the conference by asking who owns the learning. Mark Nicholls’ Blendagogy framework left me […]

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Digital Educational Transformation conference entry Digital Educational Transformation Learner Agency Open, Distance & Flexible Education

What if the frustration is the point?

October 12, 2026

What a pastry cook’s classroom can teach us about AI, effort and learner agency The second keynote at the FLANZ conference in Dunedin was given by Selena Chan who began […]

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conference entry Educational Transformation Learner Agency Open, Distance & Flexible Education Pedagogy

Blendagogy, and who’s in the driver’s seat

October 9, 2026

Reflections on Dr Mark Nicholls’ opening keynote, day two of FLANZ 2026, Dunedin The second day of the FLANZ conference here in Dunedin opened with Dr Mark Nicholls, president of […]

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Education Leadership Educational Transformation Learner Agency Learning Environments

Step Outside. See Differently. Lead Differently.

September 27, 2026

Reflections from an Australian educators’ immersion tour of schools in Aotearoa There is something powerful about stepping outside of what’s familiar to us. When we spend our days immersed in […]

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Educational Transformation Educational Transformation Learner Agency Pedagogy

Creating FutureMakers

September 8, 2026

Educators today face a confusing landscape of competing pedagogical approaches – each claiming to offer the answer to effective learning. Project-based learning, competency-based education, learner agency, futures literacy – these […]

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Educational Transformation Education Leadership Educational Transformation Learner Agency New Measures of Success

An education for each

September 2, 2026

It’s not often I come across an education leader who is working in two different parts of the education system – but my guest in the latest episode of my […]

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Digital Digital Learner Agency News & current events Pedagogy

When the Technology Is Everywhere

August 26, 2026

The purpose of education isn’t to create young people who can behave well when the technology is removed. It is to develop young people who can behave wisely when the […]

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Educational Transformation Education Leadership Educational Transformation Learner Agency Learning Ecosystems

Friction Free Platform for Change

August 11, 2026

Simple tools, game changing outcomes Introducing the Friction-Free Platform for Transformational Change! This platform has been developed over several years, involving working alongside a number of educational organisations and business […]

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Curriculum Digital Educational Transformation Education Leadership Educational Transformation Environmental Open, Distance & Flexible Education Learner Agency Learning Ecosystems Learning Environments New Measures of Success Open, Distance & Flexible Education Pedagogy research and papers

Education Environment Scan 2026

July 17, 2026

About This Report The 2026 Education Environment Scan is the second edition of a resource first published by FutureMakers in 2022. It is designed to help educational leaders, policymakers, and […]

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Educational Transformation Education Leadership Educational Transformation Learner Agency New Measures of Success New Measures of Success Pedagogy Learning Ecosystems

Why child-centred learning isn’t the ‘soft’ option

July 8, 2026

In my latest podcast conversation with Dr Sarah Aiono she describes taking a teacher by the arm and asking them to “melt into the wall” of their own classroom, inviting […]

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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

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