W3, T2: Empowering Creativity

Back in March, a member of our community shared a reading about the Pegasus Project.  As I read the article, it reminded me of New Windsor's journey with introducing digital technology in our classrooms back in 2014.  

Many of what worked for the Pegasus Project were present in our Ako Hiko Cluster and when New Windsor introduced 2 digital classes.   We joke that we were the OGs - the "original gangsters" of Ako Hiko. 

I still remember our first day at May Road School -  a room full of educators not knowing how to implement 1:1 but knowing we want to use technology to accelerate progress and achievement. One thing we did know we had to change our teaching practice. I don't mean using technology more in my classroom - it was the actual nitty and gritty of teaching - our pedagogy had to change (how we teach). What teaching practice will make an impact and difference for our tamariki today?  We also knew technology won't fix ineffective teaching practice. We knew what we were embarking on something powerful and sustainable - it was the first hint of Learner Agency and addressed Learners at the Centre principle from  7 Principles of Learning. Isn't it more powerful and important for learners to know their learning goals and find ways to achieve them?  

Do I still feel the same after 7 years?  Yes. 

Traditionally, the classroom teacher held all the knowledge, therefore, had all the power - teachers can choose when to share that knowledge. The teacher's job was to give knowledge and for the students to consume that knowledge.   But with the advancement of technology and the information so easily accessible, it calls for another skill. 

These days we need the creators and the empathisers. With information easily accessible and sometimes information overload, students must critically think about the information, ask questions, connect information from different places and put it together, and create their own knowledge by giving their own thoughts and opinions. So it is increasingly important to develop creativity, empathy and critical thinking. (It's no surprise that creativity is in our New Windsor Way!). 

I feel the information isn't helpful if the students don't know what to do with it -  if they didn't have the power or choice to act on it.  DMIC calls it no passive passengers. 

It's not enough to consume technology, but we have to use it to create. 

.......And today, I learnt a phrase that is becoming my favourite "empowering creativity". 

New Windsor teachers attended a cluster-wide Ako Hiko meeting and did a role reversal along with other schools, and our tamariki became the "teachers". The students taught different apps they use to unleash their creativity.  

It made me think, what opportunities do we give our students to be creative? What opportunities do we give for students to be the "teachers"?  

Many of the teachers took the opportunity to learn about Book Creator and Tinkercad. I went to the Piskel app to unleash my own creativity. Here is an attempt at a monkey! 

Thank you, Felix, Isaac and Zac. You did a great job - confident and very helpful. 

Thank you, Owairaka, for hosting! I would also like to give a big applause to all the Ako Hiko Leads and Phil for doing such a fantastic job today.