News & Events

Outline
We’re thrilled to have begun the year with 46 students from 36 schools across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Kirikiriroa Hamilton engaging in the online service. This is a significant increase from the 18 students who began online in 2024. It is exciting to see the online service benefiting more students.

Each student participates in one of 14 online groups with others who are similar in age to them, with year levels ranging from Y5-Y10. Groups are facilitated by a Resource Teacher of the Deaf from Te Waipounamu in the South Island. Students attend their own local school and connect online for a 40-minute session once or twice a week.

Initially, online sessions focus on building connections and whanaungatanga between students and their online teacher. Learning is then tailored to students' interests and needs using the New Zealand curriculum, our Deaf Studies guidelines and a range of digital tools.

Positive Student Outcomes
Feedback analysis received from all groups involved in online learning has been completed and has been a rewarding and exciting phase. Consistent positive outcomes for students have been identified across all groups, giving us a clear indication of the value of online learning.

Key outcomes summarised below

Connection, Identity and Wellbeing
Online learning meets the social and emotional needs of students, specifically supporting students who:

• Are isolated in their Deafhood journey
• Need and want connection with Deaf peers
• Are remote and the only Deaf student
• Need social support
• May not engage consistently in class
• Would benefit from a focus on relationship building

It provides opportunities for students to explore identity through connecting with other DHH students. To interact with others who, like them, are Deaf and/or hard of hearing. This is not always possible in their local school as many students are often the only Deaf or Hard of Hearing student attending, or other DHH students are at a different age level.

By sharing experiences and developing friendships with others who are Deaf, the online learning service can have a significant impact on supporting students with their identity and wellbeing.

Through Zoom sessions, students can:

• Connect and interact with Deaf and hard of hearing peers
• Increase their confidence in wearing their hearing devices, which can have a positive
• impact on their ability to engage with the curriculum and classroom learning
• Strengthen their identity and overall wellbeing.

Students enjoy social interactions and activities with their online learning peers and teachers, which positively impacts their confidence and sense of belonging.

There is consistent feedback across all stakeholders on student wellbeing outcomes achieved through interaction with their peers.

Students
85% of students surveyed said they had made friends with other students in their online group, and verbalised the positive impact on their wellbeing these friends have had for them.

“I made friends with L. We're both from the Cook Islands and the same age. It feels weird because I haven't made new friends in a while.” Y5 boy

“It made me realise there's a lot of deaf people.” Y6 boy

“Because they're like me, how we talk, how we work together is like the same. I'm not shy when I'm online with them.” Y5 boy

“I feel like the same as them. It makes me feel happy, because I'm happy to see the same kids that experience the same as me.” Y5 girl

Classroom Teachers
Classroom teachers with students involved in online learning also identified connecting with others as key for students and commented:

“He likes being part of a community, and seeing others like him.”

“I see the smile on his face when he joins the group.”

“I think him connecting, having things in common with other students who also have hearing aids has been hugely beneficial for him.”

Resource Teachers of the Deaf
Resource Teachers of the Deaf of students involved also agreed. Connection is especially important for students who have no one like them in their household or school community, as it can significantly impact their identity and well-being.

"Wellbeing, DHH identity and connection with DHH peers are the key differences that online can offer."

"The social connection is so important for our students as many are the only ones in their schools with hearing loss."

"When you have no one in your household or school community who is like you, identity and well-being suffer and can cause major mental health issues."

Online learning provides a valuable platform for these connections, particularly for students with good tech skills, offering them a medium where they can thrive. Additionally, connecting with peers who understand their challenges can increase self-esteem, confidence, and Deaf identity, which can be a turning point for many students, especially if they are reached at a younger age.

Use of hearing devices by students
Closely linked to student wellbeing is being able to see other children with similar hearing devices. This has helped some students feel less isolated, with a large number of students wearing their hearing aids to their online sessions.

For some, this has increased as a result of participating in online learning, whereas for others this has remained consistent. It is encouraging to see that half the students interviewed now have additional equipment to support their hearing both online and in the classroom.

“I didn't like wearing hearing aids because it was just like me in the whole school. I felt not good. I thought I wouldn't get used to them. It made me feel a lot more comfortable, because it wasn't just me wearing hearing aids.” Y6 boy

“Because I can hear with my hearing aids on it's much louder, with my hearing aids off its lower, so online has helped because I wear my hearing aids then.” T Y9 boy

"He sees other children with the same device, which makes him feel he is not alone." Classroom teacher

Digital Literacy
Digital literacy and online confidence are important for all students. A range of online tools including Book Creator, Google Classroom, HearBuilder, Blooket, Kahoot and Zoom are utilised in online sessions. These tools are used for multiple purposes, e.g., create connections, share and present ideas and information, and support learning outcomes. Students have shown an increased ability to work with this technology.

100% of students found it easy to join Zoom meetings with most accessing this through our Google Classroom. All students have upskilled in using Zoom and can use features like screen sharing and the chat tools.

Learning NZSL
Students have the opportunity to learn beginner NZSL during their online sessions. For some, this is the first time they have explored New Zealand Sign Language. They enjoy learning how to finger spell their names and introduce and talk about themselves. They learn a variety of signs including numbers, colours, emotions, food, etc.

Learning NZSL during online learning can also provide a pathway for interested students to continue their language journey through enrolling in Y9/Y10 Online NZSL which can lead to NCEA NZSL.

Students surveyed rated online 4.85 stars out of 5 ⭐️
“It has helped me a lot with everything. I’m happy I have joined online.” Y5 boy

“I feel confident and comfortable.” Y7 boy

“I’m pretty engaged with it. I look forward to when I have an online session coming up.” Y8 girl

“I’m interested, I always wonder what kind of subjects we’re going to do today.” Y7 boy

“I look forward to my online lessons.” Y6 boy

The online service is a fantastic opportunity to connect students in a meaningful way. Although the nature of distance learning comes with its own set of challenges, this is far outweighed by the positive benefits experienced by participating students.