Action!

This has been a term where action has been the name of the game. My time has been focused on action research with the bilingual class at my school. I have worked with one group each week to produce a digital story about Matariki that will be presented and shared next term. This is not quite complete as I have one last group to work with as well as the senior students who are designing the cover and packaging for the Matariki resource that we are compiling.

 What have I found out so far?

• That an awareness of Maori values has led to some subtle changes in my teaching practice and that these subtle changes have helped to develop a greater trust and understanding between Maori students that I work with and myself. 
•  That if I keep in mind the four indicators that I have been researching and refining for meaningful engagement throughout the learning and teaching periods, students are not only more likely to be involved in sustained periods of active learning but that those learning experiences are more meaningful to the students. These are that the student;  

o       Is actively involved in decision making opportunities  

o       Asks questions during the learning process  

o       Discusses or demonstrates own ideas and expands on them  

o       Demonstrates interest in self/peer/teacher assessment and feedback

• It has reinforced for me that e-learning is an excellent medium for students to use for collaborative learning and continues to be effective for improving students' learning.