Course Title: Travelling into Uncharted Territory – do the wheels still need an axle?
Presenter:Moira Howard Te Rā: - Wed 24th Feb 2010 Te Wā: - Novatel Rutherford. Rotorua
Key Points: ·Think of 4 things you would like to change in your teaching before you retire. ·The importance of student engagement. ·The main part of the presentation revolved around film shot in the late 50’s or early 60’s chronicling the (then) pioneering and controversial teaching methods of the sole teacher (Elvery??) at Oruaiti School in the Far North. ·The film included interviews with him as an older man reflecting on his philosophy.
Relevance to teachers: ·The teacher’s philosophy was based around: oA move away from the highly prescriptive schemes of the day (integrated units?) oProgrammes based on what is real in the child’s life – in this case, the sea, the rivers, the farms, the seasons (Valuing prior knowledge?) oA strong emphasis on creativity, particularly the arts (Acceptance of multiple intelligences?) oChildren were expected to contribute to the school with ideas, material, teaching younger children etc. (Engagement) oA lot of time out of the classroom (Authentic contexts) oProgrammes were discussed with the pupils (Ownership)
Summary: It was interesting and promoted reflection on how we approach learning and teaching today and how, for some of us, things haven’t changed that much in 50 years. It also showed ways the “newer” aspects of education such as integration, prior knowledge, multiple intelligences, learning styles, engagement, authentic contexts, pupils’ ownership of their own learning etc. can be integrated into a class programme.
Strategies / Suggestions to implement into the classroom: See above
Te Rā: - Wed 24th Feb 2010
Te Wā: - Novatel Rutherford. Rotorua
· Think of 4 things you would like to change in your teaching before you retire.
· The importance of student engagement.
· The main part of the presentation revolved around film shot in the late 50’s or early 60’s chronicling the (then) pioneering and controversial teaching methods of the sole teacher (Elvery??) at Oruaiti School in the Far North.
· The film included interviews with him as an older man reflecting on his philosophy.
· The teacher’s philosophy was based around:
o A move away from the highly prescriptive schemes of the day (integrated units?)
o Programmes based on what is real in the child’s life – in this case, the sea, the rivers, the farms, the seasons (Valuing prior knowledge?)
o A strong emphasis on creativity, particularly the arts (Acceptance of multiple intelligences?)
o Children were expected to contribute to the school with ideas, material, teaching younger children etc. (Engagement)
o A lot of time out of the classroom (Authentic contexts)
o Programmes were discussed with the pupils (Ownership)
It was interesting and promoted reflection on how we approach learning and teaching today and how, for some of us, things haven’t changed that much in 50 years.
It also showed ways the “newer” aspects of education such as integration, prior knowledge, multiple intelligences, learning styles, engagement, authentic contexts, pupils’ ownership of their own learning etc. can be integrated into a class programme.
See above