History of e-Learning in NZ

It has been quite interesting for me to read about the policy drives and initiatives that the NZ government has implemented or tried to implement over the last 20 years. A few of the initiatives I have been involved in like ICTPD cluster and e-Learning Fellowship. As i wasn't teaching during most of the 90s it was helpful to understand the rationale and successfulness of policy.

The 90s policy drives seemed very adhoc. Selwyn (2008) is quite critical of this period commenting that the government and politicians were more interested in the "kudos of being seen to something about education and technology while actually achieving little change in the classroom". During these years there was little obligation or accountable for ICT use and implementation.

1982 The computer courseware development unit. Information regarding computing

1987 24 Exploratory studies of use of computers in Education

Computer Education Development Unit was formed and then stripped by 'Tomorrow Schools'

1990 The Sallis report was the first policy

1997 ImpacT2001: Learning with IT. The Issues Minister for IT Advisory Group published

ERO released it's report - The Use of IT in Schools. The report like Selwyn was critical of the lack of planning for ICT use. In 1998 the MoE published first

1998 MoE published first strategy for ICT

2002 Digital Horizons. New strategy document emphasing the right to quality education for all. This egalitarian principle drove system and rationale for extensive adoption of ICT. An number of initiatives began. Selwyn argues that "Digital Horizons were fundamentally predicted upon wider governmental concerns of earning rather than learning".

2003 Digital Horizons revised

2006 e-Learning Action plan

Selwyn, D. (2008). Business as usual? Exploring the continuing (in)significance of e-learning policy drive. Computers in New Zealand Schools, 20(3), 22-3.