Sitech Systems NZ

Looking to join a professional team of educational technology advisors?

We need experienced teachers who are passionate about technology. We have contract positions across the country.

We are looking for current or ex-teachers:
• who enjoy sharing their ideas with others
• want to keep their own knowledge of new technologies up to date
• have empathy for people getting to grips with the latest gizmo’s and gadgets

Schools often require training after school hours and in the holidays. Thus the position would suit:
• a full time teacher with the backing of the school
• a part time teacher who wants a bit of variety
• a teacher who is currently at home with the kids and looking for part-time work

For more information and to apply please visit: http://www.breathetechnology.co.nz/vacancies

Te Awamutu Primary School (TAPS) officially launched their own radio station in conjunction with the opening of their new library/inquiry centre in June 2011.  TAPS 107.8 FM initially began with intermittent transmissions as staff and students familiarised themselves with the use of the equipment and incorporating radio broadcasting into classroom programmes.  The radio station is a literacy resource, a tool that provides an authentic audience for student learning.

Students regularly interview visitors to the school which so far have included Te Awamutu Mayor Alan Livingstone, author Sharon Holt and representatives from the NZ Under 18 Rugby Team.  The radio station has provided the perfect forum for students to have their own writing heard as the school embraces a new writing program.  Student’s oral language skills, self-confidence and motivation to improve their achievement levels in reading have also been impacted with the introduction of the education station. 

Within the school a Commerce Group and DJ Club are now also up and running.  The DJ Club runs the lunchtime programme and it is these students who conduct interviews with visitors and report on events happening in and around the school.  The Commerce Group consider the financial side of keeping the radio station independent from the school finances and seek sponsorship to support the improvement of transmissions.  Their current goal is to finance a higher aerial to increase the transmission range.

As the year has progressed transmission times have increased from intermittent broadcasts to consistent air time now on Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.00pm.  The more regular transmission has proved to be the catalyst for integrating community involvement with what students are doing.  If there was any doubt that they had listeners this was put to rest as listeners have volunteered their services to help the students.  TAPS is presently fostering a relationship with the local college that bring their media studies students into the studio to further their learning as well.

Mid-year the station received a car to enter into the Kihikihi Demolition Derby which is now one of the main advertising campaigns that TAPS 107.8 FM is running.  Students have stripped and prepared the vehicle for racing, the Commerce Group have gained sponsorship from supporters. 

The Radio Station Team now looks forward to continued improvement in student learning through achievement in setting goals and striving to become Te Awamutu’s Community Radio Station.

To find out about setting up a Radio Station at your school – Contact Sitech Systems NZ Ltd for more information

Teachers and students at Rotokauri school, Hamilton make the most of their AVer visualisers - check out 3 videos caputuring their experiences!

Sitech Systems NZ sales staff and Breathe Technology trainers are now fully accredited to deliver professional development on Easiteach Next Generation. To support capacity-building in your school you can purchase the Easiteach Next Generation CPD Module and two of your staff will become accredited trainers, available to support ongoing PD in your school:

RM easiPD is an off-the-shelf, flexible and affordable training package designed to provide professional development to support and enhance usage of RM Easiteach Next Generation and interactive devices in schools.  RM easiPD allows customers to increase their knowledge and confidence in the use of RM Easiteach Next Generation and interactive devices in the classroom.

RM easiPD entitles the purchaser to one full day of training for two teachers which can be provided by Sitech Systems NZ/Breathe Technology accredited trainers. An RM easiPD Resource Pack  is included which features approximately 12 hours of self-paced learning materials. This Resource Pack also includes a ‘train-the-trainer’ course which customers can then use to provide follow on training to staff at their school.

Middle Team Leader at Malfroy School in Rotorua, Lee Overdevest enjoying her free introductory training session that comes bundled with the Sanyo Interactive Data Projector and Easiteach Next Generation software .These free sessions are provided with much of the Sitech Systems NZ Ltd educational technology product range to ensure that teachers and students are up and running with their new technologies.

The interactive data projector is shown here being used on a regular whiteboard.

 Lee and Jenny apologise for their windswept appearance but the weather was a tad inclement…

Sitech Systems NZ were invited to display the latest in science technology at the recent science fair. The science trolley and visualiser proved to be winners. We enjoyed looking at all the presentations too. Congratulations to all the students.

The Tertiary Teaching Excellence Awards recognises tertiary teachers’ committed and sustained contribution to their teaching and consistently high level of support for their learners.  This year Kevin Gould, an advocate of the use of class response systems to support higher order thinking, was recognised for his commitment to the teaching of science.

“I introduced clickers to Biology at Victoria University in 2009.  BIOL 113 was used in a pilot study evaluated by the University Teaching Development Centre (UTDC). So impressive were the results that Victoria committed $80,000 to purchase clickers for use across its four campuses.  I encouraged staff from all disciplines to attend my lectures to witness clickers in action; academics from Chemistry, Education, Law, and Business Administration now use them regularly in their teaching.”

Find out more about Sitech systems NZ classroom response systems

Sitech Systems NZ celebrated the launch of the new look website with a wonderful prize draw for all those who subscribed to our newsletter. If you want to subscribe to catch up on all our latest news, promos, competitions and events just click here.

And the winners are:

Sony 55” TV: Murray Edlin, Banks Avenue School, Canterbury

Redcat Soundfield System: Ian McMillan, Otaki College, Wellington

AVerMedia Visualiser and AVerPen Starter Kit: Fiona Price, Koraunui School, Wellington

MiPro Ultra portable PA System with microphone:  Roz Dakin, James Street School, Whakatane

Creative VADO: Veronica Adams, Owhata School, Rotorua

Tascam CD Trainer: Janet Danks, Aorere College, Auckland

ACER LED Monitor: Stuart Armistead, Stanley Avenue School, Te Aroha

10 Kahootz Software Licenses: Noula Kazakos-Tomczyk, Cobden School, West Coast

Congratulations to you all! Sitech Systems NZ will be in touch shortly to organise delivery. If you want to see your moment of glory, there is a video of the prize draw on our Facebook page (as well as details of our next competition!)

No stopping these radio stations from popping up…from Invercargill to Mangare East in South Auckland. Anne Tolley launched MEPS 107.1 FM last week and stated “If kids want to get into a media future what a great way to learn”. With the high numbers of ESOL and Pacifica students at the school she also thought it was “a good way to promote a variety of languages”.

They are now broadcasting within a 3km radius of the school. And if you happen to be going to ULearn, Garry Leet and Jenny Barrett are presenting 3 workshops on how to get a radio station up and running in your school. Or just visit the Sitech Systems NZ Ltd stand #23-26.

Halswell School, tragically hit and maybe permanantly damaged by the earthquake in Christchurch, have spent the year working on integrating ICT across their curriculum. We hope that they can get this programme back up and running as soon as possible.

Here are a few of the things that they have been doing to integrate ICT across their curriculum, with photos on our facebook page.

• planning a beebot town
• using a microscope to look at plants during reading

• making salt crystals and time lapse photos on digital microscope
• following instructions to set up microscope
• using logi blocs making a door alarm
• following instructions for story writing using talking tins
• interviewing with an easispeak

Thanks for sharing and we all hope you are on your feet again soon!