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Background
I am interested in building children’s learning power and have
a keen interest in Maori language. In 2009 the school year
began with myths around Papatuanuku and Ranginui. Children
completed a korowai (cloak) with the concept of tenei korowai (this korowai) cloaking
them in confidence to move on with their language learning. Within the cloak were the
atua (gods) and within the cloak our whakapapa (our family) to give us guidance,
strength and confidence. Also at the beginning of 2009 I also established a language
nest within the classroom where children are practicing hearing, speaking reading and
writing maori language. In term two some children presented their korowai, and mihi
at the Regional Hui Ako held at Tahuna Intermediate.
During term three children recorded their mihi on to podcast, reflected on their own
mihi and the mihi of two others. Mihi were uploaded onto the podbean site established
as a class.
Pam Hook (2009) states that “ICT can make a difference, its how we use it, learning
needs to be multi-structural, relational and extend learning experiences so children can
learn how to learn.”
As classroom teachers try to think of things from a strengths focus. There is the
need to continue to develop an everyday language of reflection, self monitoring,
persistence, listening, practice and personal responsibility so a class of learners are
consistently thinking about what we have to put into action? What worked and Why?
What didn’t? and therefore What we will do next?
Graham M. & Osborne V (2008) outline the following rules for action research.
1. Each person has the right and opportunity for reflection.
2. Every idea has value and can contribute to learning.
3. Individual contributions are recognised.
4. Students are responsible for their own learning.
Evaluation
“Reflection is a never ending clarifying process, a reflective
spiral where you think of new opportunities, refine our
language and learning and implement changes” (Lord 2008)
This research has determined that good modelling (from the
teacher, podcast, te reo sites) coupled with opportunities to
practice (eg talk, listen, reading, writing and games) and
reflect upon our learning does improve pronunciation.
Children’s responses: “Reflection – sharing good news is good for us. It has a positive
effect, increases satisfaction and our sense of wellbeing. (Kamins + Dweck 1999) Many
of the children made instant changes to their pod casting if they made an error, or
after they had listened to their pod cast. Examples of changes include rerecording
mispronunciations, re recording if the volume was low, editing out silences etc… These
changes occurred instantly and became part of the podcasting process. I often found
that the children had a limited skills bank to draw on when reflecting on their own and
others podcast. Many of the comments fall into the category of passive constructive
eg I like the …… it sounds good…… I can hear them well etc… Children were able to
make more active constructive comments when scaffolded by a teacher. This is an area
that as a class we need to work on more so we have more resilience, skills and
reflective ability to manage this. The children were better at determining their own
next step more than their peers.
Establish transference
1. By using reflection across contexts.
2. Combine with building learning power so reflecting becomes more of an intrinsic
process.
3. Providing time to think
4. Find ways to reach those children who are above and beyond the cohort.
In Conclusion:
Podcasting is a great tool for increasing children’s ability to
reflect upon a piece of new language learning. Podcasting
coupled with modelling, practice and the explicit teaching of
reflection skills has increased the children’s ability to reflect
upon their own and others learning.
Establishing a class culture that values reflection and shares
a common understanding and language of learning has a large
influence on how successful reflection can be within a group
of learners.
http://www.koreromaori.co.nz/
http://tking.podomatic.com/
http://studentvoice.podbean.com/
http://www.scribd.com/doc/8037077/blogsforselfreview
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