Programmes
Computers In Homes
This educational intervention programme began as a pilot project in 2000, in the lowest-income community in the country, its purpose being to raise the literacy level of children from low decile schools. The aim of the 2020 Communications Trust is to provide a recycled computer, Internet access, training and technical support to families who would not otherwise have the opportunity to be part of the online world.
Parents complete computer training at their children's schools and make a small financial contribution before the PC goes home. They learn basic care of their machine, plus the support procedures set in place via the school. As the scheme has developed, parents have also embraced the learning experience for themselves, so the focus has broadened to family literacy. In some regions, the steering committees have expanded their vision further to encompass community literacy, and schools report increased school/home communication and more positive interaction between parents and teachers. Some parents have completed university degrees and other qualifications in teaching, social work, computing and the arts.
What began as a project to bridge the digital divide has become a notable contribution to social capital in under-served communities. Government new settler programmes have incorporated CIH into their education strategy for newly arrived refugees, with the additional support of interpreters, family liaison workers, transportation and babysitting to remove barriers to participation. It is envisaged that the access to information for new settlers and the engagement with their children's schools will assist families to readjust to a new country and become part of the wider community.
Visit the Computers In Homes Website
CIH Feedback
Computers in Homes values feedback from schools and families. See below for a selection and find more through the CIH website:
"Thank you for organising the CIH programme in the Te Mahia School. The Parents are as keen as a mustard and have all got their computers set. Thank you also for arranging the Laptop for Tania"
Principal Te Mahia School
CIH Parent
eDay
Electronic waste (e-waste) can seriously harm the environment, wildlife and human health when dumped in landfills.
eDay is a cars-only drive-through recycling event which gives you the opportunity to recycle old computers or mobile phones in an environmentally sustainable way.
eDay 2009 saw over 16,430 cars drop off 83,536 items across the country. A total of 976 tonnes of e-waste was diverted from our landfills.
Living Heritage
Living Heritage is an online bilingual initiative that enables New Zealand schools to develop and publish an online resource, based on a heritage treasure in their community. Living Heritage preserves history and culture in a digital format for every generation, and allows our children’s voices to present a view of New Zealand on the World Wide Web.
Participation in Living Heritage is free to all New Zealand schools and open to all age groups. Self-publishing web pages help simplify the process of online publishing for students and teachers.
Living Heritage provides an authentic learning experience by encouraging students to become investigators and storytellers, collaborating with each other to research, write, and publish on the Web.
CANZ
The Computer Access New Zealand Trust (CANZ) was set up in 1999. It was an initiative of the 2020 Communications Trust, supported by the Ministry of Education.
CANZ accredits computer refurbishing companies, which use the CANZ quality brand. This means they share a code of practice and an acceptable use policy for branded machines.
Accredited refurbishers sell used equipment donated by commercial and government organisations, usually about three years from brand new. This equipment, all quality ‘name’ brands, is refurbished, upgraded as necessary and sold with a warranty and after-sales service. Prices are significantly lower than for new computers. Schools which have bought CANZ machines in the past have consistently found them reliable and good for several years more service. When CANZ computers finally reach the end of their useful life, refurbishers take them back for environmental recycling.
Stepping UP
ICT for a Better Future.
Stepping UP is an ICT training programme targetted at parents who have graduated from Computers in Homes and others in their communities, encouraging them to ‘step up’ to further learning opportunities and enhanced job opportunities.
The goal is to provide training to 4800 people in eight Computers in Homes communities over a three year period (1000 in year 1, 1600 in year 2 and 2200 in year 3). 20% of these people are expected to come from families who have completed the Computers in Homes programme.
Positive Computing
Positive Computing for parents and care givers
There is no disputing the growing impact of computers and the Internet on all our lives, and especially our children. Parents and care givers have a special responsibility to care for their children just as much when they are online as when they are undertaking other activities. Positive Computing for Parents (PCP) has been developed to support parents and care givers in this role.
Positive Computing for parents and care givers is a national programme promoting best practice in the use of ICT in the home. It covers such topics as choosing ICT products for the home, where to place them, Internet safety, how to help children with their use of computers for homework, communication, games, etc.
ICT in Schools Survey
The 2020 ICT in Schools Report presents information on the survey coordinated by the Trust. It includes results of developments into school ICT infrastructure, the use of networks, software, teaching applications, internet access and usage, ICT planning and funding, E-learning developments, professional development, and use of social software.
The survey has been carried out every two years since 1993. The 2009 survey will be in schools during the third term (from mid July), with results expected in October/November 2009.
2009 Results ict_09_-_online_final_.pdf