Evaluation of cultural responsiveness in practice #9

(Russel Bishop, 2009)

My views on my indigenous knowledge and culturally responsive pedagogy

It's hard not to be culturally responsive, being involved with a diverse multicultural school. When planning I need to consider how I can use the students and the communities wealth of knowledge and experiences to better my understanding as a learner of what works and what does not. Students come to school with their own experiences that do not necessarily match that of the schools or my own. It's connecting these experiences with the curriculum that helps me make what I teach more accessible and that may mean taking on a role of class facilitator with the child being the ako (leader). Therefore, being culturally responsive is valuing diversity as an asset to achieve learning success. Recent stats show Maori are just above Pacific students starting school with prior Early Childhood Education experience, however, prior ECE experience increased for Pacific students by 2.7 compared with Maori 2.1 from 2012 to 2015 and our school has a high enrolment of students with English as a second language. Knowing the learner can help the teacher see the world how they see it and respond in a culturally responsive manner.

How do we address cultural responsiveness in our practice at Fruitvale School?

Our school charter makes many references to how as a school we work towards being culturally responsive and our vision for visibility through strong beliefs and values encompasses cultural responsiveness.  As a school, we recognise the importance of and value parents views and recognise and celebrate diversity.  Taha Maori is integrated into our curriculum, adding a further dimension to teaching and learning e.g. using te reo to solve math problems and in the Arts exploring life through song, dance, and play. 

Our Core School Values

Resilience we come back from our mistakes, failures, and experiences stronger

Reflection we all think about what we do and how we do it to do it better

Responsibility we all work to create the best for each other

Risk-Taking we put our heart and mind on the line believing challenge will grow us

Respect we all deserve the best from each other

Our School's Five beliefs: (Five C's)

• CAN DO: We believe that children' can...! We acknowledge that children may have difficulties with their journey and as professionals we will support and guide them through these times.

• CONTINUOUS LEARNING: Lifelong Learning! We believe that learning is a journey that never ends.

• CREATIVE THINKING: We believe in providing a safe and supportive environment that fosters risk-taking, reflection and creative thinking.

• CARING: We believe in nurturing children's ability to be friendly, caring, tolerant and accepting of differences.

• CITIZENSHIP: We believe that each child is one person in a world of people and must develop the skills, attitudes and characteristics that acknowledges, recognizes and promotes an optimal environment where people co-exist peacefully.

School-Wide Activities

Here at Fruitvale School we incorporate cultural responsiveness into our teaching pedagogy in many ways and there is a huge emphasis on celebrating the students learning. We work together as a community to create school-wide activities bringing students and whanau together to celebrate the diverse cultures of our school.  Every year we host a school production involving every class with a focus on what they have been learning that term. 

One year we had our very own Kitchen Rules Judging.  It involved students sharing their experiencing with food and as class creating a fab dish to be judged in front of the school and parents.  This event was successful in encouraging awareness of the traditions of different countries and developing tolerance and awareness of the different cultural communities within our school.

At our school, we encourage all students to participate in different activities e.g. cultural groups, Mandarin language group. Students, of any nationality or ability, are welcome to join.  We have performed at Corban's Art Center, for parents at school and the community. 

Our school is actively involved with a sports cluster where students represent our school in netball, soccer, athletics, swimming, rippa, rugby and tags.  It is an opportunity for students to show cultural leadership both in the Arts and sports.

Not only do these events promote and recognise the cultures and heritage of our school they help create a sense of belonging.

References:

Bishop, R., et al., Te Kotahitanga: Addressing educational disparities facing Maori students in New Zealand, Teaching and   Teacher Education (2009), doi:10.1016/j.tate.2009.01.009

Treatygate.files.wordpress.com,. (2015). Retrieved 3 October 2015, from    https://treatygate.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/teacher-training-russell-bishop-what-is-good-for-everyone-    not-always-good-for-maori.png

Legal contexts and digital identities #8

What ethical dilemma have you encountered in your practice that is digital or online access or activity?

Ensuring the rights of a child who is not allowed their photo on social media at the same time ensuring those who are allowed their photo on social media is an ethical dilemma. When celebrating learning through capturing the students engaging and exploring with learning I have to be very careful when posting on our class Facebook page.  As I have a student who is not allowed their photo on social media websites as requested by their caregiver. I'm not alone on this dilemma with other teachers experiencing the same dilemma because they have the sibling in their class.  This does not have to be the end of social media for them!

Fruitvale School requires all parents and students to sign and abide by the school's guidelines and policy, however there is a clause that allows parents to choose whether to have their child's photo published in the school's newsletter and social media e.g. Facebook, Blogs, newspaper.  It's great that the school has a strict policy of if you don't sign you don't have access to those digital learning tools. However, it does not solve the dilemma of ensuring equality while maintaining privacy rights.


 I overcame this dilemma by becoming very skilled in taking photos that the student in question was not clearly identifiable and checked with the guardian what would be acceptable.  Some of the photos are, side profiles with other students creating a natural screen while being unaware I had taken the photo. There are over the shoulder photos of the student engaging in learning so all you see are their arms and hands (no facial photo, at most a photo of the back or top of their head).  Videos are more tricky, reShoot lets you edit videos using emoji's.  It is tools like this that make it possible for all students to engage in social media. When students create presentational videos that require them to share their learning, I would have them use voice recording with images or still shots.  Using these methods makes it possible for students who are not allowed their photo on social media to still engage and learn to be connected, web-engaged, and knowledgeable through social media use.

Social Media...The Mind Lab #7

What is Social Media?

Getting Connected, Growing your Network, and Accelerating your Learning!

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Blogs
• Wikis
• Podcasts
• Forums
• Google+
• Linkedin
• Texting
• MSN

My views on social media in teaching and learning and in professional development

Why wouldn't you use social media to develop and explore possible solutions to challenges, issues you may be experiencing or sharing and collaborating on authentic issues with others and not just nationwide but globally? I want my students to be life-long learners so I too need to be a life-long learner to keep up with trends and the experiences that students bring to the classroom that may not match that of the schools or mine own and Social Media helps me do that.

How Why do I use Social Media to enhance my professional development?

Social media is my go-to-place that I often use in the context of my professional development. When I'm not quite sure or need an answer quickly I'm on the internet either searching with Google my default search engine or Safari, Bing and Internet Explorer or posting questions. I have gained a wealth of knowledge and expertise from social media that has helped me grow professionally and has given my students the opportunity to grow through exploring and seeking answers to their questions.

Facebook, Google+, Blogger, Google, TKI.co.nz, MSN, Apple Support Communities...

Keeps me informed about current issues in New Zealand and what wonderful and amazing learning is taking place in other classrooms. It is great for bouncing ideas around and finding solutions to similar challenges we have at one time or another e.g. behavioural and or learning or helping others with their challenges or issues by sharing and responding.

Pinterest, TES.co.uk, Sparklebox, TKI.co.nz, YouTube, Blendspace, Booktrack Classroom...  

These are some of the social media sites I have used over the last seven years of my 
teaching career to get ideas and motivate me to inspire my students to learn while developing in my profession. Pinterest has so many wonderful ideas that are motivating and inspiring and I have used or adapted to suit the intended learning or suggested to other educators.  TES.co.uk gave me ideas on how to plan mini-inquiries and different approaches to teaching the same learning outcome e.g. writing a character sketch using drama. Sparklebox with its amazing wall displays, banners, and learning mats are brilliant and gave me ideas of how to create fun and inviting wall displays. TKI is packed with information, support, ideas, exemplars that I have used many times and often go to for ideas and it keeps me informed about what's happening around New Zealand. I also direct my parents to TKI when looking for suggestions of how they can help their child/ren. YouTube has been a blessing in disguise teaching me how to do so many things posted by teachers and non-teachers and also helping to teach my students. I have learnt how to solve many technical issues with iPads and Chromebooks e.g. restoring an iPad after a student has forgotten their password and has locked themselves out and how to make things e.g. create and print 3D objects or for ideas of how to use Tinkercad. Blendspace is something I am still getting familiar with but currently have my students using it to share and collaborate. I have watched videos and viewed lessons posted by others and recently have created my own lessons e.g. Horton hatches the egg. Booktrack is yet to be used to its full potential and currently is being used by students as a free online resource for books to read. I'm in the process of learning how best it can be used to integrate reading and writing.

What are the challenges of using Social Media?

There is a huge social responsibility of ensuring the cyber safety of young minds.  As I previously posted on Global Connectedness (2015),  "Students need to understand what it means to be Cyber Smart!  It is more than being Cybersafe!  With increased accessibility to connect with people globally it also increases accessibility to possible global dangers and students need to be prepared for this.  Here at Fruitvale Road Primary we teach our students and parents to be Cyber Smarethroughs being aware of what personal information is okay to share with other users and thinking about what you put on social media (once it's there it's there for life) and making smart choices when inappropriate material pops-up on the screen or you click on an inappropriate web page when looking for information.  I often remind my students when unsure, think what would my parents say and would they approve." There is no reason why teachers should not be using social media just because there are challenges. They need clear processes in place and keep parents and the school informed through discussions.

What are the benefits of Social Media for learning?

Social media offers many opportunities for learning and interactivity that they are yet to be discovered.  Students all around the world are experiencing and learning using more than just books, assignments and listening to their teachers.  They are learning through social media how to be... 

Connected:  I know of students accessing Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and Viber and developing relationships through friends of friends to connect and share.

Web engaged: Students are constantly engaged with Social Media posting personal pictures and statuses and sharing other friends, families, and users posts and commenting.  This also extends into schools and the classroom with their teachers and peers learning to be collaborative using online sites e.g. Blendspace and Google Classroom.  They  are learning how to interact with others on the internet and develop social skills as it removes the barriers for students who find it challenging to engage in face-to-face discussions.

Knowledgeable: I have learnt so much using social media from how to restore iPads after students have locked themselves out because they have forgotten their password after changing it so many times to how to plan engaging learning activities.  The students are becoming experts and being the ako (leader) for their peers, teachers and myself.  Most students don't realise how much knowledge they are acquiring until someone asks a question or someone needs help that they realise they have that missing knowledge someone else needs e.g.I noticed a student didn't know how to add a Prezi link to their Blendspace and asked another student who was able to help because he watched another student do it.

References

Connectededucators.org,. (2015). Retrieved 30 September 2015, from http://connectededucators.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/improving-920x460.png

Hard-reset.com,. (2015). Apple iPad mini hard reset. Retrieved 2 October 2015, from http://www.hard-reset.com/apple-ipad-mini-hard-reset.html