From Tauranga we made a quick trip through to a little school just outside Putaruru which is doing big things as well. The clever, but humble, Principal of Te Waotu School, Bruce Darroch, is a long-time friend from our training days. It was awesome to catch up with him and, for the first time in forever, see what he has spent much of our teaching careers developing. I am heartily impressed!
From the moment I walked through the gates with my now much more aware husband in my tracks we were made to feel welcome. All of our questions were answered with the teachers prepared to share their expertise and experiences.
We found a school that has had the joys of being on a very slow internet connection literally in their first week of enjoying what we have taken for granted in the city schools for many years - decent internet speed. The changes even within the week were astounding and the up-to-the-minute pedagogy which sits firmly within the school anyway can now fly at the speed of the new connection.
The platform being used is making a change also. Bruce was sold on iPads following his sabbatical last year when he discovered, after purchasing his own, what this mighty little tablet is capable of. Initially when Bruce returned in Term 3 last year, the classes had the PC desktops, some netbooks and the PC platform that had always been there. A purchase of iPads, making 2 available to each class, increased the technology. It was not long before the population of the school was crying out for more.
Bruce encouraged sharing through a book created by his staff where they recorded their iPad successes. A very clever instant resource. This also allowed the opportunity to reflect at a later date as to the Apps that were well utilised and those that weren't.
At the time of my visit the population of iPads had increased to 50, giving 10 per class. The PCs are still present but those that are dead have their future marked with a cross and will be disposed of in the near future. The server platform is still a PC platform but there is a Sync Doc for the iPads available - a clever way around the PC platform enabling the management of Apps and iPads with minimal costs.
The families have been invited into school for meetings and a chance to explore the iPads as well. A BYOD policy has been set up. To accomplish a minimum platform Bruce has engaged the services of Cyclone Computers so families can purchase their own iPads either with or without the Apps the school requests as a minimum requirement. The Apps can be purchased through the company covering the volume licensing legalities. There is a strategic plan for their IT which is very future driven and should be able to be moulded by any new technology we have not, as yet, foreseen. It was great to discuss the plans Bruce has for his school and students, at the same time collaborating by bringing in the knowledge my journey over the past four years has allowed me to gain. Just like the old days!
What I had gone to look at specifically was their school radio station (Kidz 'n Control 88.3FM) and how the students operate it as well as how the staff incorporate the work into the curriculum.
The students in the Year 7 and 8 classes present one week per year in a partnered arrangement. The station only operates during Term 2 and 3, which helps build and maintain enthusiasm for the station amongst the students. Before their week on air begins they are expected to plan how their show will be unique or different from the week and others before. Sometimes it can be planned around school events, with other shows having a theme such as trivia, current events or Kiwiana. The students plan their music to create the loop that will also incorporate the interviews they should complete during their preparation. Bruce works on equalising the music, while the students plan, conduct and edit their interviews using the iPads or netbooks. Both are then loaded onto the radio computer ready for air.
The students present the radio station live for three hours per day - 8am-9am, 12.30pm-1.30pm and 3pm-4pm with the rest of the day covered by the pre-arranged loop. Thursday mornings has the whole school stopping for a 5-10 minute feature by the presenters around a topic or theme of their own choice.
Set up in 2007 for around $1000, the station and equipment are still going strong. The only on-going costs are $200/year to renew their license to use the airwaves and a further $200/year to APRA for music use. There are some local businesses who assist with sponsorship and the next digital learning progression will be for students to explore Garageband on their iPads to write the ads and jingles for these businesses.
According to Bruce the major on-going issue is the expletives used in modern music which can create complaints from the public. If a song is complained about it is simply wiped from the playlist for that week and a note made so the mistake is not repeated.
I would like to thank all at Te Waotu School - both staff and students - for making our visit such a pleasant and informative one. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute with you and wish you every success in the future.
Nga mihi nui koe
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