Managed Network recognised for success with public sector; Pond for its ‘innovative initiative’
N4L (Network for Learning) has been named a finalist for two categories in the New Zealand’s Hi-Tech Awards.
Managed Network – Finalist for Best Public Sector Technology Solution
Specifically designed for schools, and built to accommodate 800,000+ connections, the Managed Network provides fast and predictable internet with uncapped data; web filtering and network security services. This includes firewall services, performance monitoring and a full helpdesk support service. Schools are funded for their connection packages.
More than half a million students and teachers across New Zealand are now using N4L’s Managed Network to support their learning, with schools continuing to connect to the government-funded service well ahead of schedule.
Pond – Finalist for Innovative Initiative
Pond, the Crown company’s digital hub especially designed for teachers to discover and share content, and connect with their peers. With 6000+ teachers and 300+ organisations now using Pond, the online learning environment is building momentum, with new features and functionality introduced regularly.
All of Pond’s content is curated by its user community. Its design is image-rich and intuitive, and often described as a mashup of TripAdvisor, Facebook and Pinterest, combining the best features of these sites as well as other emerging web trends. One of Pond’s key features is a sophisticated search function allowing teachers to more easily find the appropriate learning materials that are not always easy to find using publicly accessible search engines, or may not be otherwise available.
N4L CEO John Hanna comments
N4L CEO John Hanna credits the the collaborative and tailored approach to the success of the both projects to date: “It is really humbling to be part of a company that’s about building technology that is making a difference to our young people. I give credit to the N4L team, the schools, the government and other organisations we work closely with – across the education and technology sectors – who are working to bring 21st century technologies to our schools.
“We can see schools of all sizes all over the country using the Managed Network and Pond to discover new resources, open doors to new learning opportunities. The reaction from schools to the work we are doing to support them on their digital learning journey is overwhelmingly positive and being named a finalist today is exciting.”
Winners of the Hi-Tech awards will be announced at a ceremony in Wellington on 15 May.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Julie Landry, N4L Communications, 09 222 0142 or [email protected]
About N4L
N4L (Network for Learning) is a Crown company formed to provide all New Zealand students and teachers equitable access to high quality internet services and dynamic digital content for learning. The aim is to improve educational outcomes by enabling new learning opportunities presented by digital technologies and the government’s investment in ultra-fast broadband (UFB). The company is achieving this aim by building a Managed Network especially designed for schools and an online learning hub called Pond. Together, these initiatives are about investing in our young people, digitally empowering their education for a future-ready, world-ready Aotearoa New Zealand. For further information, please visit: www.n4l.co.nz