Examine how indigenous knowledge and cultural responsiveness are informing the way you are taking action
Inquiry topic: Using technology (Seesaw)
What is happening: Using technology to ensure that all learners have a place to build upon with their
digital savvy and also become a 21st learner and not stuck in the old ways.
The general meaning of innovation is characterized only as "presenting something new; there are no
qualifiers of how noteworthy or world-shattering that something should be just that it should be
superior to anything that was there some time recently” (Vaitheeswaran, 2007. P. 4). Innovation in
my understanding differs to many people. Within the classroom setting innovation is “empowering
teachers to develop intelligent, creative and effective teaching methods that will challenge and
engage learners” (Hewitt D and Tarrant S, 2015. P. n.d).
As New Zealand is a multicultural nation, it is important as a student teacher to understand how
indigenous innovation can be successfully implemented in teaching. Point England School is a great
example of how this can be done. Point England School is situated in Glen Innes, Auckland and is a
decile one school. The majority of the school’s demographic is made up of polynesian and Maori
students. The Principal Russell Burt grew up in the area during a time when employment was not an
issue as jobs were in abundance, in contrast to today where most jobs are being taken over by
technology. Just like Māui in the Māori legends, Burt saw this as an opportunity and planned to
overcome this obstacle. He wanted to make sure that the students of his school were able to leave
with skills they could take into the workplace of the future. This was done by integrating technology
into the student’s everyday school life. The New Zealand Curriculum states that “Adaption and
innovation are at the heart of technological practice. Quality outcomes result from thinking and
practices that are informed, critical, and creative.” (Ministry of Education, 2007, p.37). Point England
School successfully uses digital technology to enhance their learning as well as equip students with
a skill base they can use across all sectors of employment. Every student has a digital device. From
years 0-3 students use an Ipad and students from years 4-8 use chromebooks.
The implementation of digital technology in this school also provided a solution to an ongoing ‘lull
period” during the summer break when students learning significantly slowed down. To combat this
problem the Manaiakalani trust which runs the digital learning hub, introduced a blogging contest
over the summer period. This competition required all students to read a book then post a book
review on their own blog. Students were also required to give constructive feedback of other
student’s book reviews. The top three students from each school were given prizes for the most
feedback submitted. This innovative solution saw a significant shift in student’s learning over the
long summer break.
Integrating digital learning into the school has not in any way impacted on any cultural elements of
the school but instead has allowed students to express their cultural identity more confidently.
Students show great confidence in waiata Māori, karakia, mihimihi, and pepeha through the use of a
school wide network news programme.
Using digital technology to develop skill base for students, the implementation of a summer blogging
contest to overcome the summer ‘lull period’, and the use of a school network news programme to
encourage confident culturally aware students, are great examples of innovation in education and
shape the way for innovative education of the future.
References:
Hewitt. D. & Tarrant. S (2015). Innovation Teaching and Learning in Primary School
Ministry of Education. (2007). The New Zealand Curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media Limited
Wikipediaorg. (2017). Wikipediaorg. Retrieved 10 August, 2017, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples
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