Live, Laugh, Love & Learn

To examine the context of Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Responsiveness within my school practice I will again refer to the Model of Rolfe, Freshwater & Jasper (2001) as a reflective guide. Step 1: WHAT?   As an educator from a predominantly European/Pakeha heritage, I easily acknowledge that I come from a significantly different background to the heavy majority (80% +) of Maori students at my current school. I understand that as culturally sensitive, interested and open-minded as I may feel, Milne's (2013) notion is relevant, in that my ethnic background may tint the "lense" from which I understand my students as learners in our classrooms. To be an effective educator and culturally responsive to my students, I therefore need to be optimally mindful of this in my practice. Gay (2001) defines culturally responsive pedagogy as “ using the cultural characteristics, experiences and perspectives as conduits for effective teaching." (p.106).   I feel...

Applying the Reflection Model of Rolfe, Freshwater & Jasper (2001) to Analyse a Trend Step 1 (What):  The Trend - The Impact of Digital Technology. The trend of the impact of digital technology immediately captures my attention as it is most relevant to the journey I am undertaking within my current teaching practice and leadership role as the Technology unit holder. I have a traditionally hands-on subject that I am responsible for - Visual Arts, which has, for years, centred around students experimenting with the manipulation of tactile materials to develop a variety of practical skills and create unique artworks while reflecting on their personal process. With the emergence of The New Digital Technology Curriculum (to be fully implemented in New Zealand schools by 2020) the impact of integrating digital technology across the school and (for me) specifically within the Visual Arts Curriculum will be significant. This trend is relevant to my practice as we are beginnin...

Reflection Model (Jay & Johnson, 2002) Step 1  (Descriptive Stage): Social Media plays an active role in both my teaching and professional development as an educator.  Many of the social media platforms which I use are beneficial in both of these areas - particularly in the vein of social curation and the sharing of visual ideas in video and picture form with YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram as I have been developing in the role as a Visual Arts Specialist. These social media avenues have provided myself and my students with inspiration, resources and support for planning and facilitation of the Visual Arts Curriculum. We have viewed and been able to interact with the creators of video tutorials to refine our practical skills when undertaking new art-making processes and have been able to research new visual ideas in picture form, via Instagram and Pinterest leading to sparks which have ignited our own tactile outcomes in visual creativity. In my Technology Syndic...

Ethical Decision Making Model Factors (Ehrich, Kimber, Millwater & Cranston, 2011) in alignment with the Reflection Model of Rolfe, Freshwater & Jasper (2001) with reference to the Daniel Case Study (2018). The critical incident , which triggered the ethical dilemma - WHAT? Two female students were on the brink of having a physical fight in the playground at morning break, surrounded by their peers. I was on duty and came across the incident. One of my older students had taken it upon herself to encourage the physical interaction and film the fight on her phone, while narrating the action (for the intention of sharing it on social media). I dispersed the fight and the crowd and another teacher came to deal with the two students involved. I entered into communication with the older student (filming) and seized her phone. I now needed to unpack the situation, focusing on her part in the incident and misappropriate use of a digital device.  ...