Te Reo Maori @ OrmPS

Recently during ELT (Educator Learning Time), we began to unpack how we can design learning to provide the necessary learning opportunities in te reo Māori.  The question asked was, "What challenges can you see for yourself as an educator moving forward with your learning today?" The discussions and action that followed required a lot of input and support from the small number of NZ trained LCs and those with Māori language and cultural knowledge (of which there are very few).

This led me to think about my own cultural identity in a newly established school within a community of 'new' kiwis...

OrmPS is quite different to many other schools in New Zealand due to the high proportion of learners who are not Māori, NZ pakeha or Pacific Islanders.  I often wonder how well we are providing learning around the history, culture and language that 'is' Aotearoa?  How will this generation of learners identify themselves as 'kiwis'?  I'm a 5th generation New Zealander working in a school that is largely made up of 1st generation and immigrant learners (and learning coaches).   We recognise and value all cultures - celebrating languages and significant events throughout the year.  Although this learning is valuable for all, I feel that our traditional 'kiwi' culture is slowly disappearing.

Do I feel this way because I am a minority? Do I need to make a change because New Zealand, particularly Auckland, is going through a significant cultural change? Or, is there room to keep what is important to us while identifying and celebrating what is important to others.

http://tereomaori.tki.org.nz/

X & Moonshot Thinking

X?  What's that?

During a conversation with a colleague today, I was reintroduced to 'Moonshot Thinking' - something that I remember sharing with some of my students in a previous school to illustrate how people  around the world are exploring ways to solve big problems.  

Link to video:  https://youtu.be/pEr4j8kgwOk

Moonshot Thinking is an important element to have in today's learning environments.  At OrmPS it is evident during our iExplore time.  This is a time at the beginning of the day where the learners are encouraged to identify a problem - either in their own community, nation-wide or global.  Once the learner (or group of learners) have identify a problem, they then follow a set of steps to empathise with the user, question (5 whys) and through an activity called 'Crazy 8s', explore possible solutions from the basic to abstract.   This is where the OrmPS version of 'Moonshot Thinking' comes into fruition.  Astro Teller (the head of X, formerly Google X), mentions in the video below that they have a mantra at X and it is,

Sometimes shifting your perspective is more powerful than being smart. 

I hope X doesn't mind if I 'steal' this manta and use it within our learning environment.  I feel that it is an important consideration while planning a prototype, or following testing and feedback of a prototype.  At times it can be difficult for a learner to admit that their idea is just not going to work, and that a tweak and adjustment will result in a much better product.   

The above mantra could also be applied to other areas of learning, e.g. writing.  When writing, I've seen many learners intent on making their first draft the final copy - reluctant to make changes, or even show changes and/or additions to their original idea.  As an educator, it is heartbreaking (exaggeration of an emotion here) to not be able to see what a learner has changed because the original idea has been rubbed out, twinked or scribbled into oblivion by pen.

I want to see all the thinking that has taken place and be able to celebrate all Moonshot Thinking - whether it is to make a change in the world or on a smaller scale within the covers of an exercise book.

P.S.  Just added 'visit X' to my bucket list.