When the Gisborne facility opened in March 2015 it was the first place outside Auckland to offer the programmes, which include state-of-the-art digital teaching programmes for children.
Mr Murphy said over the past three years, the facility had “delivered” for the region.
“Nearly every primary and intermediate school student in the region has spent time in the Gisborne lab learning how to use technology to build concepts, create content, tell stories, collaborate and build their digital fluency and technical skills.
“Every day, our youth are immersed in an innovative world of learning that inspires them to pick up new skills, broaden their understanding of essential technologies and how they can extend their learning from school to all parts of their lives.
Post-graduate studies“Moreover, 175 teachers and school leaders have commenced their post-graduate studies, improving their understanding of contemporary teaching practices, and their comprehension and application of digital and collaborative learning.”
Mr Murphy said 23 percent of those teachers and principals had completed The Mind Lab programme, meaning Gisborne was one of the most highly skilled regions in New Zealand in terms of teacher qualification levels and contemporary education knowledge.
However, the outstanding participation rate came at a cost, with ECT tripling its previous funding to fill a projected shortfall in income.
“Because the region’s teachers have already flocked to The Mind Lab, the organisation is budgeting for a reduction in its professional development income stream. Trustees were comfortable with stepping into that void,” said Mr Murphy.
“It enables remaining teachers to access the full professional development programme and, importantly, enables our children continued affordable access to the benefits of the Mind Lab programme.”
Mr Murphy says ECT is “looking forward” to working further with The Mind Lab, and seeing how the programme flexes and grows to continue to challenge and inspire our young learners.
The Gisborne facility provides a range of digital-based education services including a NZQA-accredited Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Practice (Digital and Collaborative Learning), children’s robotics and coding workshops, and professional development sessions designed to expose teachers to new technologies.
Gisborne Girls’ High School Deputy Principal Bindy Hannah said the Mind Lab had become critical to the success of the region’s young learners.
“The Mind Lab has provided a platform for the development of collaboration through the use of a wide range of digital technology, enhancing transformational 21st century teaching and leadership practice.”
