Media Release
For immediate release
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The convergence of technology, culture and future-focused education
CORE Education’s Alex Hotere-Barnes has been selected as the opening speaker at the NZTech Advance Education Technology Summit on 26-27 June in Auckland to an audience of principals, assistant principals, technology teachers and e-learning
facilitators from schools and learning centres around New Zealand.
With digital literacy and te reo being two key themes announced in the Government’s education budget on 26 May, the
Summit is timely as it seeks to address the critical issues, encourage tech-enabled leadership, and progress dialogue
further on what digital fluency and citizenship will mean for the shared vision of building a truly digital nation.
“A new generation of reo and tikanga inspired learners are coming through our education system,” Hotere-Barnes says.
“Preparing them for a digital future, across both English and Māori mediums, is a challenge full of opportunity.”
Alex opens with a presentation covering the convergence of the major shifts in the edtech and education sectors. To
conclude he offers an overview of the potential and challenges of enabling culturally grounded digital citizenship now,
and into the future.
“If we want to ensure our digital learning is equitable, purposeful and based on excellence for diverse students and families, it requires critical thinking and
collaboration by educationalists and tech companies. If these relationships aren’t forged, we risk being reactive to
whatever edtech global trend hold dominance at any particular time”, says Hotere-Barnes.