I was disappointed to not be able to be a part of the Digital
Fluency Week 8 experience at Waitangi. Reading people’s blogposts, and looking
at all the online resources posted by Kerry, and others re-iterated the fact
that you all had an awesome day, with lots of learning and inspiration. I
really enjoyed reading everyone’s posts. Not quite as good as being there… but you
have all contributed to my ongoing DFI learning with what you have shared. Many, many thanks for your honest and in-depth reflections. Ongoing dialogue with colleagues, in any form, is a vital part of our professional growth. I loved the creativity you all shared. I must confess, my personal favourite was Robyn "in flight" - every school leader needs super powers! 😉
What I learnt that increased my understanding of Manaiakalani kaupapa and pedagogy?
Manaiakalani pedagogy related to empowerment fits well with
the vision, principles and values of our New Zealand Curriculum. “The New Zealand Curriculum is a clear
statement of what we deem important in education. It takes as its starting
point a vision of our young people as lifelong learners who are confident and
creative, connected, and actively involved. It includes a clear set of
principles on which to base curriculum decision making. It sets out values that
are to be encouraged, modelled, and explored. It defines five key competencies
that are critical to sustained learning and effective participation in society
and that underline the emphasis on lifelong learning” – NZC Foreword, 2010.
Manaiakalani
are talking about student agency when they talk about empowerment. Manaiakali chose
to use the word empowered instead of agency, or student agency, because it was
a word that people outside of education, especially families and whanau, could
relate to.
I need to find ways to further empower my students with
their learning. Being aware of the disadvantages some students have is
important, but it is more important for us to see the potential in all of our
students and ensure that diversity within our classroom teaching and learning
experiences provides authentic opportunities for students to excel. We do need
to value what our students bring – often this is not recognised or understood. Valuing
what our students bring, and then enabling them to access and be part of a
vibrant and authentic curriculum is all about empowerment while they are at
school, and then as they transition into being active participants in their
local, and global communities.
How has my understanding of Manaiakalani kaupapa and pedagogy:
·
Empowered
me professionally with my teaching practice?
With the creation and development of my
blog, I have an ongoing dialogue that reflects on my growth in my professional
development, with a particular emphasis on links to the digital world and the
change in my teaching practice within a digital classroom. Having my blog
accessible to others provides me with scope for an audience whose comments can
contribute to my ongoing learning and development.
The skills I have been learning, or
enhancing, over the last 8 weeks have strengthened aspects of my classroom
teaching and learning programme. My own familiarity and fluency with different
Google apps is growing, and will continue to grow. The level of professional
dialogue with colleagues from other schools, has also supported my professional
growth.
·
Empowered
me with new skills to use with my learners?
I have been trying lots of new things with
my students. Inheriting some Chromebooks from other classrooms in our school
has enabled increased scope to do this. Most of my students have access to a
device which functions well enough to meet our beginning needs. Students have
been able to share their learning with whanau, as well as with our school community
at assembly. They are very proud of their new skills, and the work they have
produced. Their written response work to Malala’s Magic Pencil, which was our
shared text during Social Justice Week, was completed in Google Draw. Students
used a range of graphic skills, as well as the Explore tool to access images
and borders, to enhance their poster presentations. Printed copies will be
displayed in our school foyer, and will be shared via our school face book
page. I am hoping to have a class blog operational next term to share our work
with a wider audience.
·
Empowered
me personally?
I have been able to share apps and skills
with others in my school. This always has a “feel good” factor. To be an “expert”
explaining something to a professional colleague is always empowering –
especially when one is not of the “digital native” generation!
I am inspired to learn more, and to continue
my learning journey – I just need more days and time to do this!
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