Educational Network fosters digital kotahitanga

The Kōkiri ki Tua digital platform fosters an environment of digital kotahitanga - collective unity within a digital space-that reflects the collaborative ethos of the Educational Network.

The vision of a connected learning and teaching community that is accessible anywhere, anytime has become a reality with the launch of Kōkiri ki Tua's digital platform.

Learning and Teaching Dean Professor Tim Cooper says the digital platform supports the activity of Kōkiri ki Tua, Otago's Educational Network, in becoming a collaborative, inclusive community of passionate staff dedicated to the learning success of our students.

Professor Tim Cooper

"The digital platform extends the physical Network's capabilities into the digital space.

"It enables staff to see what's happening across the whole Educational Network and participate from wherever they are and at any time they want.

"It is the virtual glue that will help to hold the Network together, in addition to the in-person events and interactions."

Tim envisions the platform as "a lively place of human exchange".

"We'll connect with people across all campuses and divisions who are doing great things in their teaching and have similar challenges or interests to us.

"There will be lots of varied activity and all sorts of media on the digital platform from roving video to static PDFs. We won't be able to follow it all, but we can follow our interests."

Over time the Network will build up resources and showcase the excellent learning and teaching at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, Tim says.

"When we want to find out more about some aspect of supporting student learning, we'll find it within the Network, and it's our own homegrown expertise and innovation."

The Kōkiri ki Tuadigital environment is hosted on the Microsoft Viva Connections platform.

Technology Specialist Nathan Hollows says Viva Connections was a natural fit because of its seamless integration with the University's existing Microsoft 365 infrastructure.

Nathan Hollows

"One of the main considerations throughout this whole process is how do we make the technology work for people instead of making people work with technology.

"A system that staff were already familiar with, and that the University already had the license for, fit the bill."

While the digital platform had a soft launch in August, Nathan and the ITS team have been working in the background to fine-tune things.

"Setting up the digital platform involved working alongside the divisional Kaikōriki (Network coordinators), who work with staff to find out how they are using the platform and what they want to showcase.

"This approach has allowed us to be agile and change things based on feedback."

The platform will continue to evolve, Nathan says.

"Our goal is for the platform to be a growing space, where staff feedback and requirements are channelled through creating a customisable space that aligns with their needs."

Staff can participate in several ways, he says.

"There are discussion boards, articles for a variety of topics, videos, and more.

"We've also introduced a feedback section and are working on a poll feature and a feature on surfacing relevant videos across the Network."

Having more staff engage and discuss is key, he says.

"The aim of this is to foster communities around teaching practices and learning, and to learn from one another. The more we engage, the stronger the communities will be.

"Visit the Network, have a look around, explore, and if anything is of interest to you, share it or jump into a discussion board."

For Senior Teaching Fellow and Health Sciences (Dunedin) Kaikōriki Rebecca Bird, the digital platform provides an invaluable communication tool that's "not just another email in your inbox".

Dr Rebecca Bird

"The role of the Kaikōkiri is to help connect people within our divisions and to shine a light on high quality teaching practice.

"Unfortunately, we can't meet with everyone in person, so this provides a way to connect and share the wonderful things we find, or events and activities we think would be of interest to staff.

"It also makes it quick and easy for people to get in touch with us. They just need to click on our pictures or names on the site, and they can send a message."

She is most excited about being able to post short videos that showcase best practice and the poll feature.

"As much as I'd love to attend lots of workshops or watch lengthy videos, I often find I don't have the time, so the idea of short, to-the-point videos really appeals to me.

"The ability to chat or poll people with ideas means we [Kaikōkiri] can be more responsive to what the wider network wants to see on the platform."

She encourages staff to participate and "dip in and out when best suits you".

"You can read or watch at a time that fits best with your schedule.

"Plus it's a way to connect with people both within and outside your division. There's something really lovely about finding like-minded people, or those with expertise in something you'd like to try or learn about, and being able to make a connection.

"And if you have ideas or want to be involved more, your Kaikōkiri would love to hear from you."