Refresh - April

REFRESH

An NZ government reference group report from 2014 suggests that collaborating in regional networks in partnership with our communities produces better outcomes for students.  In Area schools, this collaboration and networking becomes all the more pertinent, as in the senior school, you are often the only 'expert' (yes, in quote marks for a reason) in a subject area.

This report goes on to state that "Education is the powerhouse of modern societies. To prosper, grow and innovate, New Zealand needs highly-skilled people — people with increasingly sophisticated skills and digital competencies."    It continues with a list of ten things that need to happen to support this within NZ.  The one that stood out for me was number 4.

 Create future-focused learning environments.   Design vibrant, technology-rich, cyber-safe learning environments. Make these environments flexible enough to serve multiple learning contexts, including one-to-one, small groups, collaborative and community learning. Put learning at the heart of the system.

I believe that the creators of #NZreadaloud5 have done just this.  This is my refreshed resource - a change in the way that I am using novels and story within the classroom to create a more future-focused learning environment.  We joined in Term One, which was not a great success - mainly due to both myself and the students not being that confident with the technology platform.  This term however, has been AMAZING!  My students are enjoying being read to each period (for at least 20 minutes) and then working in smaller groups on tasks, which are relevant and topical.  They then collaborate to post to Edmodo and have been getting feedback from other staff and students around the country.

I am enjoying taking turns making to share and then also using the created tasks of other staff around the country.  I am finding seeing how other teachers have posed tasks and learning activities has also given me the confidence that I am able to design more vibrant tasks for my students.  This supports a finding from the report that suggests  "that innovative teaching practices flourish when: 1. Teacher collaboration focuses on supporting peers and sharing teaching practices. 2. Professional development involves the active and direct engagement of teachers, particularly in practising and researching new teaching methods."

So, all in all, that is my revamped resource - and further inspiration from some amazing educators around NZ.  You all rock!