News release:
N4L reaches 500,000 school users on Managed Network
Schools across New Zealand fast-track digital learning
More than half a million students and teachers across New Zealand are now using N4L’s Managed Network to support their
learning, with schools continuing to connect to the government-funded service well ahead of schedule.
Today more than 470,000 students and 33,000 teachers from 1460+ schools (nearly 60% of all schools) are using the
Managed Network for fast and reliable internet services, which includes uncapped data, web filtering and network
security.
When the rollout is complete by the end of next year, more than 800,000 users are expected to be using the Managed
Network.
“The uptake from schools and the pace of the rollout is encouraging,” says N4L CEO John Hanna. “Key to this is the
collaborative and tailored approach we take to transitioning schools onto the Managed Network.
“Our team is out there visiting schools, working with their local technology providers in all corners of the country. It
really is a team approach and together, we are all driven by the new learning opportunities and brighter futures of the
young people we are designing these connections for. Helping our young people achieve their best and preparing them for
their future is really what this is all about.”
Northland’s rural Broadwood Area School is one of many schools which has found success using the Managed Network to fast
track its digital learning plans. Since connecting to the Managed Network six months ago, Principal Pani Hauraki says a
whole new world of teaching and learning opportunities has opened up to the decile one school, which borders the Raetea
forest and is outside mobile coverage range (45km south of Kaitaia).
“Before using N4L, we could not increase our expectation around using the internet for learning as the area’s
connectivity was so poor and unreliable. But now our teachers and students are fully excited, using online learning
tools to supplement the curriculum, and share school news on our brand new website.
"We are only a tiny little school which often means one book in the library has to be shared by many students - and now
our fast and reliable internet means we can all use the same resource at the same time.”
An interactive map of all schools participating in the Managed Network can be viewed at: http://www.n4l.co.nz/managednetwork/rollout/
In addition to the Managed Network, N4L is building a digital learning hub called Pond which 6000-plus teachers are
using to find and share learning resources, as well as connect and collaborate with their peers. Yesterday it was
revealed that N4L strengthened its ties with NZQA, announcing a new partnership that will enable teachers to manage their moderation requirements through Pond later this
year.
ENDS