Te reo digital literacy essential for equitable future

The Ministry of Education has announced focus areas in both te reo and digital literacies for their efforts over coming years. With a goal to revitalise Aotearoa's indigenous language and prepare young people for a tech-driven future, this focus couldn't be more timely.    Though last week's budget stirred up a lot of critique, most agreed the investment in Māori curriculum resources was a step in the right direction.    This direction is something the sector has wanted to see for some time. CORE Education's Alex Hotere-Barnes says it's time to support both te reo and English speakers to prepare for a digital future.    "A new generation of reo and tikanga inspired learners are coming through our education system. Preparing them for a digital future, across both English and Māori mediums, is a challenge full of opportunity."    Hotere-Barnes has been selected to speak on this at the as opening speaker of the upcoming NZTech Advance Education Summit.    The summit will focus on encouraging tech-enabled leadership, digital fluency and citizenship, enabling educators to share a vision of what a truly digital nation might look like.    The opening presentation will open a dialogue about the convergence of technology, culture and future-focused education. Hotere-Barnes says his presentation will look at major shifts in edtech, and provide an overview of the potential challenges to culturally grounded digital citizenship.    "If we want to ensure our digital learning is equitable, purposeful and based on excellence for diverse students and families, it requires critical thinking and collaboration by educationalists and tech companies.   "If these relationships aren't forged, we risk being reactive to whatever edtech global trend hold dominance at any particular time."   The NZTech Advance Education Technology Summit will run June 26-27 at Massey University's Albany Campus in Auckland.