November 2024 Newsletter

Kia ora,

He kai kei aku ringa

There is food at the end of my hands

We are excited to be launching our latest resource - Harnessing the Power of AI for Future-Focused Learning - all about genAI, its benefits for future-focused learning, key considerations, how to mitigate risks, and tips for incorporating genAI across teaching and learning. We hope you are inspired and that you learn something new about how to adopt genAI tools to support learning in safe, effective ways. You can learn more about this resource below or download it here.

We would also like to take the opportunity to once again congratulate the winners of Top of the Pods for 2024. The competition wrapped up with a showcase/ prize giving event at Tūranga Library with over 100 ākonga, whānau, kaiako and supporters in attendance!

Keep your eyes peeled and stay in the loop about what is happening at GCSN on X/Twitter, Facebook or via the GCSN website.

Noho ora mai rā,

The GCSN Team

Harnessing the Power of AI

Harnessing the Power of AI for Future-Focused Learning, published by the GCSN provides kaiako, schools and kura with a general understanding of the potential benefits and risks of AI technology and practical tips for how it can be used for different functions to support effective learning. We are excited to be sharing this resource with you and hope it becomes a useful tool for kaiako now and looking ahead to the 2025 school year!

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has gained considerable traction in the online sphere as it has increasingly entered our educational, work, and personal lives. In an era characterised by rapid technological advancement and global interconnectedness, the educational landscape is constantly evolving. The increased prevalence of technology, the Internet, media, social platforms etc. have required the New Zealand education system to continually adapt and transform to meet changing needs, emerging ways of learning, and risks posed to young people accessing essential tools.

This guide is intended to give educators a general understanding of the potential benefits and risks of AI technology and provide some practical tips for how it can be used for different school-related functions.

Wrapping up Top of the Pods!

The Top of the Pods podcasting competition wrapped up with a showcase and prize giving event at Tūranga Library. It was a wonderful event for ākonga to share their podcasts, meet other teams and of course, celebrate our amazing winners. 25 teams created and submitted podcasts and over 100 people attended the showcase event!

Thank you again to our amazing project partners Plains FM 96.9, Christchurch City Libraries and LOOP (Papanui Youth Development Trust) as well as and to our sponsors Rockshop NZ and RØDE Microphones.

We are excited to announce our prize winners for each category (below). Winning teams walked away with Rockshop and GCSN sponsored podcasting equipment, a T-shirt making masterclass with the Christchurch City Libraries, and a range of lucky dip prizes including pool passes, T-shirts and mugs.

The judges also awarded Gisele Harkerss from Selwyn House School a special mention prize of a $100 Rockshop voucher for "Best Podcasting Persona".