Creativity, learning and the brain

Here's the link to the Radio NZ interview.
http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/ntn/ntn-20081118-1123-Education-048.mp3

Listen to the interview and see if you can decifer what the problems are with the traditional curriculum concerning learning to learn and creativity.

Intelligence - What is it?

As we look at developing a school curriculum and common learning culture, it is important to have a good understanding of what learning is. This week, we will determine what 'Intelligence is' and perhaps start developing a picture of what learning may look like as well.

The following are quotes from renown educationalists concerning intelligence.

Intelligence is

• knowing what to do when you don't know what to do! Piaget
• the sum toal of our habits of mind. Art Costa
• the essence of intelligence is knowing when to think slowly and when to think quickly.
• a child's mind is maluable, expandable and can be coached and trained. This is is contrast to the theory of fixed IQ.

Question:
If intelligence is not static then what inferences can be made from the term 'Learning to Learn' ?
The traditional curriculum hierarchy.

The very nature of curriculum categories has been entrenched in western schooling institutions for centuries. So entrenched in fact that we have given them a hierarchy of importance. It certainly hasn't always been this way and begs the question if education currently looks like this.


What might learning look like if it integrated new understandings of intelligence and learning?

Task: Draw a diagram or picture to represent what learning may look like?

The change in the culture of learning in the classroom
Russell Prue - ICT evangelist

One of the main strands of Russell's presentation to the developing leaders focussed on changing teaching methods and the impact technology is currently having on this generation of pupils and teachers. So has he seen changes in the way teachers have worked over the last five years?



"Yes, but not everywhere, often new technologies are seen as a threat to the balance of power in the classroom and so are often not adopted in such a highly productive fashion. I do believe that the majority of teaching colleagues are doing their best to engage learners in the best possible way and that change does take time."


What do you think are the other challenges are teachers facing when trying to implement forms of new technology to their classroom?



"The biggest challenge is the change in the culture of learning in the classroom. Learners have and will always have a better grasp of new technology than us, what needs to happen is that we get more comfortable with this or get out of their way."

The new curriculum

At our previous meetings we defined the key terms or intent of the document. It is however paramount that each teacher be conversant with the document itself. At each staff meeting we will cover a different section and discuss the influence, changes, points of interest or demands that it carries. The first step in this process is to understand the timeframe and process for our new curriculum journey.

Please read the following information before our next meeting and be prepared to comment on the following questions.


From the New Zealand Curriculum to School Curriculum

1. Does clarification, inquiry, exploration, review and decision making sound like a logical order for development and what do those words suggest we do?
2. When does the new curriculum need to be fully implemented into our school system?
3. What does fully implemented mean?
4. 'full engagement with all those who have an interest in the outcomes' What does this suggest?
5. * inquiring into students’ learning needs
* inquiring into the school’s current effectiveness in meeting those needs
* determining and reaching agreement on the conditions for learning that could strengthen the impact of the school’s programmes and practices.

These 3 statements suggest action of some kind; what are your thoughts or ideas?


The NZ Curriculum and supporting information can be found at the following link.
http://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/

Getting organised

Todays meeting is all about setting up the infrastructure for our professional development. Everyone needs to create a gmail account; this is so we can collaborate on documents related to our PD. It also allows us to register for this blog and make comments and add posts.

Why use Google Docs?

This blog will be used as a forum for our professional development; in essence a journal of our progress. Prior to staff meetings professional readings, videos and questions etc will be added for staff to review and comment on. It is essential that you bookmark this blog and refer to it often.