Te Kura wins 2020 D2L Excellence Award

Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura) is the winner of a 2020 D2L Excellence Award. Te Kura is one of five organisations recognised for changing the way the world learns by global learning technology leader Desire to Learn (D2L). 

“We recognize leaders in learning because they inspire us, and because we learn from them,” said John Baker, CEO of D2L.

The distance education provider has been recognised for its provision of Te Kura Big Picture learning in a highly personalised, engaging and flexible online learning environment.

“Te Kura Big Picture learning places the learner at the center. The learner, their whānau and their learning advisor design a programme of learning that is relevant to their interests, passions and potential and connects them to the real world. Learners live lives of their own design supported by caring mentors and equitable opportunities to achieve their greatest potential.

“It is essential our online learning environment supports this very personalised approach to learning. I am very proud of what our team has developed in collaboration with some fabulous partners, including D2L,”  said Mike Hollings, Te Kura Chief Executive. 

Te Kura has developed My Korowai, a custom-built interface in the D2L Brightspace platform. My Korowai provides an environment for learners to engage with their learning advisor, teachers and whānau. It provides the collaborative space to build relationships, explore, celebrate and reflect on progress while learning at Te Kura.

My Korowai draws on the latest technological advancements in online learning to provide an environment that is intuitive, inclusive of learners of different abilities and skills, dynamic, interactive and most importantly engaging. It supports Te Kura’s holistic view of students’ learning and life, including wellbeing, career exploration and learning outside Te Kura.

“We were able to look at what our learners needed to help engagement and achievement in their learning – we focus on ‘students being the center of everything we do’ and building our own platform has allowed us to do this,” said Chris Lawrence, Te Kura Creative Services Manager.

The D2L Excellence Awards recognize educators, trainers and leaders in employee engagement that have used D2L’s Brightspace platform to deliver innovative, collaborative, and successful learning experiences.

Read more about the 2020 D2L Excellence Awards

Read more about Te Kura Big Picture learning