Course A

Connecting with Purposeful Ideas and Opinions

Course organiser:Various

29 Aug:
Kathryn Jones, CEO of The Laura Fergusson Trust, on 'The Laura Fergusson Trust - 1979 -2019’Organiser: Gendy Dray.

5 Sep:
Dr. Colin Meurk, research associate at Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, on 'Re-dreaming Christchurch as an Eco-city'.We are facing a biodiversity emergency globally and locally. In NZ and lowland Canterbury it is exacerbated by what is referred to as ‘extinction of experience’, a pre-cursor to extinction of species, due to loss of connectivity between people and their unique natural heritage. This loss has a significant effect on ‘sense of place’ or identity. I will present ideas on how this may be overcome in a way that celebrates the poorly known but substantial biodiversity values of the city, and why this justifies thinking of Christchurch as a ‘National Park City’ – a status that London has declared for itself already! Organiser: Chris Botur.

12 Sep:
Martin Hadlee, Chair of The Eden ProjectNZ and Fellow Chartered Accountant, on 'Eden New Zealand Aotearoa in Christchurch - a Transformation and Recovery Project for the City'.This presentation will include a short video on the creation of the Eden Project in Cornwall UK followed by a PowerPoint presentation on the concept of a world-class Eden Project in Christchurch as a major catalyst to stimulate city and regional recovery following the earthquakes. Organiser: Helena Lackie

19 Sep:
Carolyne N. Obonyo, PhD. candidate and a Research Assistant, Coll. of Educ., UC, on 'Student Teachers' Experiences with the Use of Mobile Technologies in their Training.'The use of mobile technologies to enhance learning and teaching is rapidly increasing in schools and by 2023 more than 80% of learning and teaching spaces in Christchurch will be innovative learning environments. These learning environments are characterised by flexible learning spaces, new pedagogies including ‘Bring Your Own Device’ (BYOD) initiatives. The big question is, are student teachers effectively prepared for their future classrooms where mobile devices abound? Carolyne will be presenting part of her survey findings that examined preservice teachers’ views related to their preparation to integrate mobile technologies into their future classrooms. Organiser: Neil Fleming.

26 Sep:
Dr. Antony Shadbolt, Director of Landscape Ecology NZ on 'Wild Life Conservation on Sarawak.'Dr. Shadbolt will speak about his involvement in projects around wild life and conservation in Sarawak. Organiser: Ann Whitnall.