Kia ora ,

The Ako Aotearoa team has hit the ground running in 2024 - we are already busy planning, facilitating and releasing several events, workshops, courses, and resources that you and your colleagues can take part in this year.

We are also updating our systems to improve the way we communicate with you. We understand that you're very busy and we don't want to clog your inbox!

Let us know which emails you want to receive from us by managing your preferences. You can also update your interests to stay in the loop on our latest work in certain areas.

In this email:

• Southern Regional Forum 2024 - programme out now

• Te Whatu Kairangi 2024 information sessions

• 2023 Pacific Professional Development Scholarship recipients announced

• Māori Cultural Capability self-directed courses - registrations now open

• Latest paper - Digital Skills Framework

• Free professional learning opportunities on Pathways Awarua

Ngā mihi,

The Ako Aotearoa team

Latest news from Ako Aotearoa

Southern Regional Forum 2024 - programme out now

We are delighted to release the draft programme for our upcoming Southern Regional Forum in Dunedin. You'll hear from Ako Aotearoa staff and tertiary educators and trainers from across the sector on topics such as AI, Te Tiriti, Pasifika values and Adult and Community Education in the South. There are limited spaces left, so register now before they're gone! A special thanks to The Tarn Group for sponsoring this Forum.

Te Whatu Kairangi 2024 information sessions

From 23 February to 13 March, we will be hosting free one-hour online sessions about the 2024 Te Whatu Kairangi Awards. If you or a colleague are thinking about submitting a nomination for the Kaupapa Māori, Le Moana Mua, General, or the new Te Tohu Reo Māori Awards, register now to join the following sessions:

• Te Tohu Reo Māori Award Session | Friday 23 February, 11am–12pm
  Dr Joe Te Rito and John Milne (Ako Aotearoa).
• General Award Session | Wednesday 28 February, 11am–12pm
  Ruth Peterson (Ako Aotearoa) and James Oldfield (2016 Tertiary Teaching Excellence Awardee).
• Kaupapa Māori Award Session | Friday 1 March, 11am–12pm
  Dr Mei Winitana (Ako Aotearoa) and another facilitator to be confirmed.
• Le Moana Mua Award Session | Wednesday 6 March, 11am–12pm
  Saylene Tanielu-Ulberg (Ako Aotearoa) and Dr Marcia Leenen-Young (2022 Te Whatu Kairangi – Pacific Endorsement Awardee).

2023 Pacific Professional Development

Scholarship recipients announced

Congratulations to the six recipients of the 2023 Pacific Professional Development Scholarship! This scholarship aims to support and build the leadership capability of Pacific tertiary education staff for greater Pacific learner success. Read this recent news item to learn more about these dedicated kaimahi.

Pictured left to right: Rosemary Anderson, Anne Hukiavave, Joel Ali, Emma Packham, Sashi Jeffries, Angeline Taulia Malae

Māori Cultural Capability self-directed courses

- 2024 registrations now open

The Māori Cultural Capability self-directed courses are now open for registrations! These courses are facilitated and designed to support reflective practice, Māori cultural awareness and practice of four values and learning/teaching methodologies: Ako, Manaakitanga, Rangatiratanga and Whanaungatanga. You'll receive assistance, cultural guidance, and written feedback throughout the course, and you can even earn an Ako Aotearoa digital badge!

Latest paper - Digital Skills Framework

We are pleased to share our latest work that explores the digital literacy landscape in New Zealand and abroad to determine the rationale for the development of a digital skills framework. Dr Anne Alkema examines existing frameworks, policies, and organisations that seek to address disparities in adult digital literacy and concludes that a collaborative approach is needed to determine a feasible way forward. Read the full discussion paper in our Knowledge Centre.

Free professional learning opportunities on Pathways Awarua

Ako Aotearoa and Pathways Awarua work closely together to develop resources that are free and accessible to educators. Visit Pathways Awarua to find educator pathways that offer tools, information and strategies to improve tertiary education practice. Not only are these pathways high quality and free of charge, but you can complete the modules at your own pace.

Each pathway includes self-paced modules with a combination of text, videos, reflective questions, quizzes, and links to further reading.

To access the pathways, sign up as an Educator on the Pathways Awarua website. Once registered and logged in, select the Educator Pathways tile and you'll find all pathways offered by Ako Aotearoa and Pathways Awarua.

What's new in the Knowledge Centre?

Engaging construction apprentices

in the online environment

Upcoming online professional development courses

Applying Ako in your practice  21 February

Learn strategies for applying the Māori values and methodology of Ako (learning and teaching) in your practice. One x 1-hour session.

Addressing Racism in Tertiary Education  1 March

Gain understanding of personal, institutional and cultural racism and create a strategy for addressing racism in tertiary education. One x 3.5-hour session.

Effective Assessment that Supports Learning  5 March

Learn how to ensure students undertake valid, reliable, flexible and fair assessments using assessment design skills and NZQA’s Qualities of Assessment. Three x 1-hour sessions (5, 12 & 19 March).