Schools with a pioneering spirit are being sought by Pond to help develop and shape the online environment.

The Network for Learning’s (N4L) portal is looking for 10-15 schools to assess how Pond works when implemented across an entire school. These schools will have teachers who have a range of digital technology skills, from the confident to the more reluctant.

The schools that are selected will represent the diversity of the New Zealand education system, and its socio-demographic, roll size and location variations.

Schools and staff will receive Pond Pioneer School badges, and will need to commit to six weeks of a ‘light touch’ programme that will guide them through the possibilities of Pond. The team at N4L will support the implementation and integration of Pond into regular planning and teaching.

Pioneer Schools will also have the opportunity to share their experiences and opinions with the Pond development team, and be able to connect with other Pioneer Schools taking part in the programme.

A further three schools who already have a close relationship with Pond - Taupaki School, Te Puke High School and Newmarket School – are working in an advisory role to help to develop the programme.

Submissions to be a Pioneer School close at 9am on Tuesday 1 July, and the programme will start in the second week of Term Three.

For more information, visit http://www.n4l.co.nz/pond/pioneer-school-programme/