Rātū 29 o Paengawhāwhā, 2014

Rātū 29 o Paengawhāwhā, 2014

Kua tō anō he rā ki tenei whenua taketake o te iwi moemoeā, kua kitea, kua rangona i ngā reo mihi o tenā kura, o tenā kura, nō mātou te whiwhi i noho-tahi, kai-tahi, korero-tahi ki ēnei ahuatanga o te ako-e. Nei ra matou e mihi ana ki a koutou e whai kaha nei ki te tutuki i tāu e wawata ana.

Kura 1 - Ringwood North Primary School & Kura 2 - Ringwood Secondary College

For today’s downloading of whakaaro we will outline some key themes of the day along with some other learning from the two kura visits.

Themes of the day

Leadership

Throughout today we were lucky to again see some very strong characteristics of leadership within both these kura. Some of the key words that come to mind are;

• Passionate
• Innovative
• Influential
• Role-Modelling
• Cutting Edge
• Empowering
• Authentic
• Devoted
• Determined
• Driven

Not only were the principals and curriculum leaders all of the above but the emphasis also on building leaders within the students. Challenge Based Learning (CBL) ensured leadership and key skills were developed and nurtured at all levels within the kura. Both kura explored CBL in their own unique ways.

Collaboration

At both Kura the culture of working in a collaborative way was highly visible, from year two students holding meetings online to year 9 students planning for their personal reading assignment.

• Students using iPads to collaborate with their peers on the "big idea"

• Student - teacher conferencing
• Teachers collaborating to engage students

• Teachers team building and supporting each other

Most engaging was noting that teachers had to learn about the apps they expected their students to use. In order to do this they had their own challenges to complete as teams using those very apps.

Professional Learning & Development

Within both kura today, PLD was a large part of what made e-learning and the integration of technology successful. Schools were responsive to the needs and also the strengths of the kaiako which ensured the e-capabilities were met for all kaiako, across all curriculum areas. Some of the avenues the kura explored for PLD were;

• School retreats
• Accepting different teaching comfort zones and technical capabilities
• Techy breakies
• Students as teachers/coaches for technology
• Devoted time for kaiako around iPads and Applications
• Participation in different conferences
• SAMR Model as a ‘where to next’ and identification model.

On entry to the kura as a new kaiako staff were asked ‘what risk were you willing to make within technology’? e-Learning was included as a key component within the performance appraisal system.

Mobile Device Management, Techy Stuff and Applications

• Mixed models of VPP purchasing and allocation.
• The Volume Purchasing Program (VPP) is used through MERAKI as a Mobile Device Management Programme and Compass as a SMS system.
• Search for app bargains, such as free app promotions and filters specific purchases for the kura
• Google Docs and Google Apps are used widely by students and staff.
• appshopper.com site for app reviews.
• The CISCO MERAKI software is used as the software to manage wireless devices.
• DELL servers are preferred due to superior support and value. IBM are also rated highly. HP servers do not rate highly in the opinion of the RSC technical management
• The Apple range of computers and ipads are preferred in order to standardize systems throughout the school. This simplifies support, purchasing, and the roll-out of software packages.

Applications being used by tamariki were varied and followed on from iTunes U, iBooks Author and iBooks. the following table shows which apps were used at each level.

Prep	Grade 1	Grade 2	Grade 3	Grade 4	Grade 5/6
Doodle Buddy	Doodle Buddy	Pages	Keynote	Keynote	Keynote/Pages
Maths Ninja	Keynote	Keynote	Doodle Buddy	Power Comics	Edmodo
ABC Phonics	Mathletics	Mathletics	Reel Director	Mathletics	Mathletics
RF Alphabet	Maths Bingo	Popplet	Maths Chalkboard/Pop Maths	Maths Chalkboard	Explain Everything
ABC Trace	Pop Maths	Pop Maths	Scribble Press	Strip Design	iMovie/Garageband
			Show Me	Draw Free/Doodle Buddy	Popplet

CHALLENGE BASED LEARNING - CBL

We were very fortunate to have student led presentations today based on their CBL projects they have recently completed. Challengers are based on real life experiences within the Local community.

The process: PURPOSE - AUDIENCE - END PRODUCT

• Over a 2 yr cycle  8 challengers - 1 challenge set per term - (can be localised per iwi/whānau /kura)
• pitch movie - still images that capture the kaupapa (pre-knowing) as an avenue of modelling to the tamariki.

Guiding questions:

• Collaborate with tamariki & staff creating patai about the challenge

Guiding activities:

• Presenting back what kids are going to research

Proposing solutions:

• Kids articulate how they are going to complete challenge

Working on solutions:

• Creating time, kids working on the presentations, products
• Kids leading learning, create, organise, 

Implementation:

• Presentations
• Real life experiences
• Visits by locals
• Documentaries
• Cooking show
• Power in kids drawing their own conclusions

Evaluation:

• Personal reflections
• Kids taking leadership roles
• Group work

Documentation:

• planning templates 
• thinking tools
• timelines

Reflection:

• kids sharing their experiences (using PMI thinking tool)
• kids speak about how things went on video

Quotes from the day to ponder and finish off with

For today we were inspired by many quotes and slides that portrayed different aspects of the kura, kaiako or aspects within the learning centres. Some quality thoughts to ponder and make us think about what we do? why we do what we do? and how we do what we do?

'If you want to make a mark you have to take a risk'

'If we teach today as we taught yesterday we rob children of tomorrow'

'Tool set, skill set, mind set'

'iLearn-iCreate-iShare'

'You miss 100% of the shots you never take'

“Apps are the tools the overarching outcome is the purpose. The apps need to fit the curriculum.”

Nōreira e hoa mā, kua tō anō he rā, ka ara anō he rā āpōpō. Me tau ka tika ngā whatu ki tēnei mea te moe, kia ora anō a hirikapo mō ngā akoranga āpōpō.

Kia tau te mauri!

Nā Cribby, Daz, Hone, Eleanor, me Reggae.