At WEGC we are consistently vigilant against modern pressures to use "technology for technologies' sake", and we discuss and make decisions about how and why any technology should be used, and that whatever Technology initiatives undertaken be closely aligned with our values and goals.
Google School
While we take conscious and deliberate steps to ensure our digital systems are “platform agnostic” (that hardware or software of any kind work equally well, so that no teacher or student feels obliged to purchase any one company or brand), most commonly we choose to use the Google Suite as our primary means of communication, as it is freely accessible to all staff, students and whanau.
We are persistently exploring and developing new and better ways of implementing this software in our practice, so as to be able to communicate, collaborate and share success stories between students, staff and whanau, to the ends of improving the educational experience for everyone.
Empowered Media Users (EMU)
Our philosophy around digital technology is one which focuses on supporting students be as good as they can be when it comes to technology.
Our focus is not on enforcing punitive measures for students who do not use their device or software appropriately, but rather we collectively put time and energy into discussing the issues that our students are encountering in the digital world, and providing them with resources, supports, strategies and tools to help them manage and engage with the digital world comfortably, confidently and competently.
The EMU initiative is one which aims to build trust between students, teachers and Whanau around how, when and why we use digital technology.
Virtual Learning Network
WEGC is also a proud member of the national Virtual Learning Network, which allows us much greater flexibility and capacity in helping student's make use of the digital world to specialise their learning in whatever direction they choose. We have steadily been growing our shared understanding and practice around supporting students to learn online in this way, and with much success.