Bay of Plenty Teachers Take Digital Skills Back to the Classroom

Bay of Plenty teachers are bringing new digital technology skills into their classrooms after completing a specialist programme designed to build confidence in teaching technology.

Eighty-eight kaiako from 15 kura and schools across the region have completed the Digital Technologies Training for Kaiako micro-credential, the largest intake since the programme began in 2023.

The graduates were celebrated at a ceremony at Whakarewarewa Primary School in Rotorua on Monday, marking the completion of training delivered through a partnership between Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology and Apple.

The programme gives teachers practical experience in areas including app development, programming, digital media, app design and user experience.

For the teachers involved, the focus is now on taking those skills back to their students.

One participating kaiako said the programme had already generated excitement among students after Apple apps and tools were introduced into classroom planning.

“Their enthusiasm has been infectious, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us,” the teacher said.

Toi Ohomai Head of School Mariana Tapsell said the programme was helping teachers develop skills they could pass directly to students.

She said building digital capability was particularly important as demand for technology skills continued to grow across Aotearoa.

The programme also focuses on Māori and Pasifika learners, with organisers aiming to encourage greater representation in the technology sector and create pathways into areas such as entrepreneurship and innovation.

Teachers taking part have learned to use Swift Playgrounds for iOS app development, as well as digital media and programming tools. Participating schools also receive ongoing support and device grants from Apple.

NZIST chief executive Gus Gilmore said the latest cohort demonstrated the value of the partnership between the organisations involved.

The Rotorua-based delivery was supported by Toi Ohomai, with Wintec also involved in the early development of the third intake.

With the latest graduates now returning to their kura and schools, the programme’s next stage will be putting their new skills into practice with their ākonga.

The partnership is intended to build digital fluency among teachers and students while encouraging more Māori and Pasifika young people to see technology as a potential pathway for their future.