It Was About Time!

Learning First's Powerful Message Resonated at
INTERFACEXpo 2025 Lincoln

For too long, New Zealand educators have faced the same persistent challenges, the pressure to boost student outcomes while struggling with overwhelming teacher stress & workload, and limited budgets making it hard to invest effectively. We've seen incredible potential in our learners, knowing they could achieve more, in less time, to a higher standard, if only the systemic hurdles could be overcome. As Martin Hughes, our Education Coach and Digital Learning Specialist, shared after the event, it truly felt like It Was About Time we found a better way.

That belief was the driving force behind Learning First, and it's precisely the message we brought to the INTERFACEXpo 2025 in Lincoln, Christchurch, yesterday (May 8th). The Xpo was our launchpad, where Learning First declared its mission to be the innovative alternative in the NZ Education Sector. One that offers practical, impactful solutions because it's built by educators and tech experts who understand the reality. Our core message resonated powerfully. It's About Time We Boosted Student Outcomes, Reduced Teacher Stress & Workload, and Saved Money For Your School.

Martin noted the stand was a hub for conversations, confirming the widespread need for change. "The 'learning first' message was, just so simple and it's so straight forward and it's what is really needed in so many schools," he reflected. Attendees, including teachers, principals, and senior leaders, along with some industry insiders, "just got it really quickly and were very keen to learn more." Industry colleagues even remarked that our initiative was "such a good idea and it's so overdue," highlighting the existing pain points around technical support value.

Learning First, built on the combined four decades of experience from Support IT and 3M Learning, offers PLD and ICT Services designed by educators, for educators. We shared how putting learning first with practical strategies and smart ICT Services can free up time and resources. Conversations highlighted the "nagging suspicion" among educators that they're "paying too much for not very much at all when it comes to technical support." Martin emphasised how Learning First's approach is "counter-intuitive" in a good way, helping schools save money for their school and get better service by simply optimising what they already have. Enabling investment in reducing Teacher Stress & Workload and boosting learning.

A major highlight that hit home with Lincoln's audience was Martin’s impactful workshop. "There is an acceptance that what we have been doing is not working as well as it could be," Martin observed, particularly given the significant investment in devices that hasn't yielded proportional outcomes for our learners. A key point that resonated was the acknowledgement that, when learning isn't well-shaped, students can become "habituated into doing less work in more time to a lower standard", a challenge many educators are eager to address and directly linked to helping all our learners achieve more, in less time, to a higher standard.

Martin's session demonstrated practical tools, including leveraging AI in education and Google for Education resources. A "light bulb moment" for many was realising the often-underutilised potential within Google Workspace to share resources and classrooms between schools, a simple click that can significantly help with the "workload and stress load issues that teachers talk about quite understandably," while getting the "very best resources in front of our kids." This demonstrated a practical step towards achieving multiple core outcomes simultaneously.

Our launch at INTERFACE 2025, powered by the clear resonance of the It's About Time message and the specific needs shared by educators, confirmed that the NZ Education Sector is ready for this innovative alternative. The energy and positive feedback we received reinforced that for many, partnering with Learning First is, indeed, answering the call that It's About Time.

Are you ready to see for yourself how Learning First can help your school boost outcomes, reduce stress, and save money? While the successful Xpo in Lincoln is finished, there are two more opportunities to experience the Learning First message and hear from Martin Hughes in person at his workshops!

Come and meet the team, discuss your school's unique challenges, and discover the innovative alternative that puts learning first at the upcoming INTERFACEXpo 2025.

Taupō: Tuesday, May 13th, 2025

Auckland: Thursday, May 15th, 2025

Visit our website at https://learningfirst.nz/ to learn more. It's About Time for a change that truly benefits everyone.

We look forward to meeting you in Taupō and Auckland!