Project ACTIVate: Innovations from New Zealand

Abstract

This case study discusses a collaborative three year project involving two school clusters located in the North Island and South Island of New Zealand. The project was named Project ACTIVate and its main thrust was to study how the use of the interactive whiteboard (IWB) combined with teaching, learning and research across schools. The project was also partnered with the Ministry of Education, New Zealand, a tertiary institution, and information and communication technology-related and enterprises. The aim of the research was to develop effective teaching and learning practices using IWB technology in New Zealand classrooms. It was also deemed significant for the project to use the IWB to enhance specific curriculum goals and environments where students and teachers could learn and research as partners in cognitive proximity within schools and across schools. A number of successes and challenges presented themselves during the three year time frame. One aspect of particular importance for education arising from the case study is the future implications for IWB technologies.