The fifth DigiOps initiative, Mobile Technologies in the Sciences (MOTIS), was launched at Wainuiomata High School, near Wellington, and was attended by local MP and Minister of Education, the Hon Trevor Mallard.
Involving four secondary schools in the Wellington region, MOTIS will trial the use of digital hand-held technologies (HHT), such as graphic calculators and data logging applications, to engage, develop and encourage students’ problem-solving skills.
“The MOTIS project will examine how these technologies can enhance student interest and motivation, provide a wider range of learning opportunities, and support precision and accuracy in learning,” said Mr Mallard.
Yvonne Blanch, New Zealand Education Manager for technology partner, Texas Instruments, said her company thrilled to be part of MOTIS, and will be supplying software, hardware and professional and curriculum development to the participating schools over the life of the three-year project.
“Texas Instruments has had a long-standing association with Wainuiomata High School and we’re excited to be extending that association to other schools through Project MOTIS,” said Ms Blanch.
Years 11, 12 and 13 maths and science classes at the schools’ will be using the HHT. Experiments, data and results gathered by the students will be shared between the participating schools via the online learning portal, MindSpring, which is another DigiOps project initiative.
