Reflecting on the Kaupapa of the Manaiakalani Programme in light of COVID 19

 

Reflecting on Lockdown and Learning

When I think back on the last few weeks about lockdown and learning I am most proud of the fact that I stepped out of my comfort zone and participated in this DFI course.  The insight and understanding I have gained from this course is priceless.  I only regret that I am not more digital savvy already going into these lockdowns and that myself and my tamariki are just at the start of our journey and not fully immersed yet.  I do however take with me a wealth of knowledge about the different tools and platforms digital learning opens up for teaching and learning.  I also will take forward that there are many wonderful people out there that are very helpful and knowledgeable and always willing to share their learning with you or give you a hand to learn something new.  I feel having a better understanding of the Manaiakalani pedagogy has made me look through a window where I see many wonderful things and grasp a better concept of the importance and impact certain things have on our tamariki through the learning process, academically, socially, mentally and emotionally.  I want more interaction with them at home in these times.  I really want to be prepared so much better for any future lockdowns we may have, fingers crossed we don't. 

I felt I didn't know that I did much rewindable learning but the more we talked about it the more I realised I have provided rewindable learning at times in my akomanga.  Video's the tamariki can watch and go back to, modelling books, availability of instructions to refer to for a task.  Using screencastify to record thoughts on a book that has been read to some tamariki that struggle to write down their ideas.

I supported my learners by only leaving mahi they are familiar with and that we have already done in class, so they know what is expected from them in that particular learning task.  It may be with different math's problems or reading books but the tasks attached are familiar and diverse.

I could have made more rewindable learning for them by making short screencastfy videos or set work on their chrome books, made slides for them to work through etc.

I will be using many of the digital tools as I become better at using them, but to be honest my tamariki and I are pretty good at learning these things together and we enjoy accomplishing new fun things in our akomanga together.  My tamariki are absolutely pumped about their digital learning and I feel I may be able to feel that way now as well.  I want to empower my tamariki, just like we have been learning on this DFI course.  My motto for my tamrariki has always been the sky's the limit, I always want them to know they are amazing and they can achieve anything.  I can't wait to get back to kura, I miss them terribly. 

So for our akomanga, lockdowns could be so much better in the future for our teaching and learning, but just as important, digital learning in class is going to make this easier to achieve.  Ubiquitous learning in full swing.