Transforming Learning in Schools

Academic Readings - To read week 7, to critique Week 8

Implementing a teacher led inquiry

Innovation and the Spiral Inquiry

Spiral of Inquiry Model - A tool for change

Kahui Ako - Quality Teaching and Learning

An inquiry question to think about ... How will we create an educational culture within our schools that will 'strengthen students’ engagement with their schooling' and provide a sense of pride and purpose in each young person?

The six parts of the spiral of inquiry:

• Scanning 
  What’s going on for learners? More emphasis is placed on teacher observations of students, in all circumstances. There are some difficult questions to ask, such as: Is it all right for some learners to experience challenging and engaging learning in one classroom while in the room next door the students are not? Scanning is not done overnight, can last two months, and may turn up surprises.
• Focusing 
  Where will concentrating our energies make the most difference? Focusing well will lead to informed actions, and usually means selecting no more than one or two areas so that the inquiry is "focused and deep". The authors point out that a common focus generates the momentum to transform schools.
• Developing a hunch 
  How are we contributing to the situation? "Hunch" is an important word – hunches may not be totally accurate, but it is essential to get them all on the table because they guide the focusing. Sometimes they might be well-established routines of the school or the classroom, and be relevant to your own school. Hunches need testing.
• New learning  
  How and where will we learn more about what we do? Teacher learning must be connected to identified learner needs. External expertise is important here and the school must make clear to externals what makes a difference to learners. We all need to know why new ways of doing things are better than what we did before.
• Taking action 
  What can we do differently to make enough of a difference? "Genuine inquiry needs space to take risks, make mistakes, and try again – and again". Changing things can also feel risky for some learners who then resist change, and in turn bring concerned parents. We need to build understanding for all, right from the outset.
• Checking  
  Have we made enough of a difference? Checking doesn’t have to be formal, or at a set time. It can go on throughout the spiral. The importance of trust should be a recurring theme throughout the cycle, and it certainly is true of checking.

Taken from the 'Educational Leaders' Website - http://www.educationalleaders.govt.nz/Pedagogy-and-assessment/Evidence-based-leadership/The-spiral-of-inquiry

Te Kāhui Tai Kura o Te Hiku

The Kahui Ako is a government 'Educational Initiative' focused on:

• improving outcomes for all students
• encouraging co-operation between schools
• creating better teaching and leadership pathways
• supporting teacher led innovation of new practice

There are 214 Kahui Ako spread across NZ involving 1161 schools/kura. Our Kahui Ako is Te Kāhui Tai Kura o Te Hiku. It is a roopu that represents 19 Te Hiku Primary, Intermediate and Secondary Schools. 20 ECE and Kohanga Reo, 5 iwi and a host of other organisations and groups.

The 'Achievement Challenges' of the Kahui Ako:

Goal 1: To strengthen students’ engagement with their schooling. 

Goal 2: To lift the achievement of all students in writing. 

Goal 3: To lift achievement at NCEA Level 2.

To meet these challenges, the goal is to actualize the voice of our children, our community and our culture within our kura. To develop a 'Teaching and Learning' context across our kahui that is built on a foundation/ teacher inquiry of:

• Quality Teaching and Learning (Elise Broadwith - Kaingaroa & Shelly Dormer - Taipa)
• Hauora - Harry Kapa (KTA College)
• Effective Transitions - Clarrie Yates (KTA College)

Those leading each group have been employed by the Kahui Ako to be the across-school teachers. My role is the in-school Kahui Ako teacher and our school will be part of the Quality Teaching and Learning inquiry.

To find out further information, please find the links to the Kahui Ako meetings that have taken place this year. The achievement challenge and strategic plan are attached.

Kahui Ako Orientation Meeting 1 - Feb 15th

Kahui Ako - Meeting 2 - March 7th

Future Focused Learning in a Connected Community - Manaiakalani

My Manaiakalani learning journey began this year with creating a class site.  I was very grateful that my colleague Venessa set up a school site template to get our staff started. I was able to duplicate the site which certainly made the process easier. It has been a huge learning curve since I started but a very enjoyable one. 

We have collaborated as a staff to build our class sites, sharing ideas and resources. 

We have also learnt how to change the admin of our class blogs to have access to our students blogs and have been updating our classroom blogs.

https://psdthompson.blogspot.com/