Edufuturists #184 - Messy Learning with Frances Valintine

Frances Valintine CNZM is a passionate educator and technologist who is focused on challenging the traditional education structure and its ability to fully prepare the generations of tomorrow for the changing world. For over 20 years she has been dedicated to shifting education and business practice to develop the capabilities and mindsets needed to respond to the future of work and industry and ensure a thriving Aotearoa New Zealand.

In 2013 she founded The Mind Lab, a unique offering designed to empower students and educators to develop applied digital knowledge and capability.

The Mind Lab has enabled an entire generation of teachers and educators to upskill and develop their confidence in emerging digital technologies, and to rethink the model of learning and education and support school-aged children to foster these critical skills. The immediate impact The Mind Lab has earned the organisation the title of Best Start-Up in Asia Pacific as judged by Steve Wozniak and Sir Richard Branson in 2014.

A Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her lifetime contribution to education and technology (2018), Frances has received numerous awards recognising her passion and commitment to supporting the young and more mature to seek opportunities and reach their potential.

In 2020 Frances received the Outstanding Contribution to Technology and Business at the CIO Awards. Her past accolades also include:

2017: the NZ Flying Kiwi Award, inducted into the New Zealand Hi-Tech Hall of Fame and named one of the top 3 NZ Innovators of the Year at the NZer of the Year awards.

2016: named one of the top 50 EdTech Educators in the World by EdTech International; awarded a Sir Peter Blake Leader Award.

2015: awarded the Westpac New Zealand Woman of Influence (Innovation) and the Next New Zealand Woman of the Year (Education)