“ERO’s evaluation of enterprise in The New Zealand Curriculum shows schools being innovative and students working with the wider community to solve actual problems in challenging and meaningful ways.” said Chief Review Officer, Dr Graham Stoop.
Enterprise learning involves students solving real problems for an actual audience or client. Enterprise can be seen in the mission, values, principles and objectives of The New Zealand Curriculum. Enterprise learning encourages students to be innovative in working with a business or community partner to create something new.
In 2011, ERO evaluated how seven secondary schools approached enterprise. The report, Enterprise in The New Zealand Curriculum, examines how these schools have explored what it means to be innovative and entrepreneurial, and how teachers encouraged students to look to the future. It also shows the challenges and benefits of enterprise as an authentic teaching and learning approach.
In effective teaching, students see the relevance of what they learn, and take responsibility for their own learning. ERO found that leadership was crucial to developing enterprise learning in secondary schools. The board and principal have a key role in encouraging enterprise learning.
ERO’s report emphasises how enterprise learning engages students of varying abilities. Undertaking projects with a business partner gives the most able students creative challenges, while those less able are more likely to be motivated by learning that has a clear purpose.
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This report is on ERO’s website, and hard copies will be sent to secondary schools.
For more information please contact Jenny Clark, National Manager Public Affairs, Education Review Office: jenny.clark@ero.govt.nz; phone: 0-4-474 1228; mobile: 0275 437 465