Friday was a day spent at the beach - Bucklands Beach Intermediate School to be specific. I did see the sea - when we went to Halfmoon Bay for lunch, but technically I spent a very informative day at BBI with thanks to Diane Parkinson, the Principal, for giving up so much of her time for me.
BBI is a school that is also going places. They have undertaken to teach their programme using the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme as this completely fits the vision and the values desired for the students. The curriculum is arranged into a series of inquiries which encompass all learning except for Math.
While I was visiting we were able to see the conclusion of an inquiry into 'How the World Works' in one class. This consisted of the students working their way around the class interacting with the displays of learning created by their peers. As they went they had a rubric of sorts to initial for how informative the particular display was and how much effort they felt had gone into making it interesting for their audience. These displays of learning ranged from a static, hand-made display (similar to a science fair display) with a competition attached, a movie created in iMovie all self-animated shown through the digital projector and narrated through a recorded and played CD, a slideshow incorporating information and a quiz as well as the model used to create a digital animation displaying some of the learning acquired, a couple of blogs that demonstrated the students learning, a comparison of the Russian and American space races that ran side by side on computers demonstrating the timeline - to name but a few. It was an awesome experience to see the knowledge collected, created and disseminated amongst the class in a tuakana teina manner so creatively. The teacher truly was the guide on the side.
My focus while there was to see what had changed from the time I had attended a Ulearn09 workshop on ePortfolios with their Deputy Principal, Lenva Shearing. While Lenva was away on leave for the year, Diane easily accomplished the task with the help of some student and teacher ambassadors.
In 2009 the school was using Wikispaces in a couple of classes to experiment with what could and should go into an eportfolio. It was quite regimented, but a good and logical start. As the concept grew and the school experimented more with the new tools coming on line there has been movement into Google Apps for Education with the complimentary and essential assistance of the Teacher Dashboard created by Hapara.
Currently the students receive an email address and Blogger template through the Apps allowing them to create their eportfolio and share this with selected others. The students create the portfolio along the template guidelines adding as much or as little as they wish or as their teachers guide them to. It is regarded as their digital diary so layout is also unique to each student. The students we spoke to (thank you Alice and Cullen) share theirs with their parents and most staff. Some students choose to share with peers for peer to peer feedback. This has been aided by solid wireless and accessing Ultrafast Broadband.
They have an exercise book per Inquiry area and a Math book - with one teacher we spoke to with Diane saying this needs review as some inquiry areas do not need a whole book. Some of this comes about from the increasing digital nature the learning is demonstrated in.
With regard to digital learning - BBI has a collection of Chromebooks and iPads that can be accessed by booking online for classroom-based lessons. Students pick up and return to a central small room attached to the Library, with a Teacher Aide available to count in and out, ensure they are plugged in to charge and record any issues noticed. These are then reported to the teacher who monitors and repairs these. Students are able to bring in devices of their own - due to the heavy use of Google Apps this does not place strain on the server as all learning is completed in the Cloud. Currently there is discussion regarding the appropriate minimum platform for use as a BYOD with pros and cons associated with the two options they have narrowed down to - Chromebooks and iPads.
The school philosophy is one where if you consume you should also produce. If you watch a video to help you learn on YouTube, once you have completed learning of a different nature produce something for someone else to consume on YouTube. The same is said for music, games and so on.
The students work eagerly to this philosophy not only producing the expected consumables, but also running a radio station during the breaks from a small purpose-built room. There is also the beginnings of a television station which broadcasts three times per week at the moment. All work related to both stations are tied into the inquiries being undertaken in the classrooms.
Digital safety is high on the agenda with lessons being the focus in every class for the first week of each Term. The priority is for the students to create a positive digital footprint, which has also involved working with parents to teach them what this involves.
I had a thoroughly informative and enjoyable day at BBI. The staff, students and general atmosphere were welcoming. Nothing was too much trouble and I thank my lovely friend Diane for the thought, time and effort put into making my visit so worthwhile. There are bound to be more questions I have over the coming weeks so expect emails...
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