Just For Fun

Modern Learning Environments Part Two

Break Out Space With Computers - Papamoa

School Visits
Over the last two weeks I have had the privilege of travelling to visit some recently constructed school blocks.  All of the modern Ministry of Education classroom blocks are in the format of large open spaces (there are no isolated classrooms being constructed anywhere).  
There are two key reasons for this.   The first is the practical/financial factor that there are fewer corridors and other such wasted spaces.  The second is the trend towards a more collaborative learning environment.   

Removable Walls - Papamoa

The first school we visited was Papamoa College.  This is a new school (currently in their fourth year).  They are a very similar school to us here at Waihi College.  Year 7-13, middle decile, with a similar demographic of Maori/Pakeha.  Papamoa College was created in response to the population growth in the Tauranga/Mount area.  Their common spaces are for year levels - all the science, maths, English and social studies taught in same space.  Four teachers all teaching year 9's and 10's in their 'house' groups.  

Open Plan Teaching Space - Papamoa

It is hard not to be impressed with the facilities at Papamoa.  They have a great physical environment located next to the Gordon Spratt reserve they have access to wide expanse of fields.  The school buildings are well appointed modern design angled for the sun.  The day we visited was a howling windy day - but inside you wouldn't have noticed. 

Papamoa College is also very similar to Waihi College in that they've adopted learning by inquiry and relevant context as their primary pedagogical driver.  They see the modern learning environment as a means of enhancing that style of learning.  

Learning Commons - Papamoa

Large Moving Doors - Te Kuiti

Our second school was Te Kuiti down in the King Country.  This is a smaller school only year's 9-13.  They have constructed a large space for three English teachers.  It was effectively three large classrooms and two 'breakout' spaces (each of which is probably big enough for a small class).  


There was a large communal staff work space/resource room and two internally accessed unisex toilets.  Two of the classrooms were plumbed for a water supply.  

Staff Workroom From Class - Te Kuiti

North Facing Deck - Te Kuiti

Te Kuiti's building was more traditionally styled and fitted in well with the current older buildings.  Papamoa College was definitely a modern style building.  Both were well fitted with modern technology in mind.  



The question for us here at Waihi College is what would work best for us here with our students?  We have the funding here for our new buildings (which will be two block each housing four classes) and work should begin late 2015.  It was great to take along Shannon and Fiona representing staff to gather their thoughts on the project.  

Thanks to both Te Kuiti High School and Papamoa College for the opportunity to come and see the schools.  Both of which were very impressive and spaces the students and staff can be proud of.  

This post relates to RTC # 7. "Promote a collaborative, inclusive and supportive learning environment."

Modern Learning Environments

Waihi College's New Block
You may be aware but we have just been granted by the MOE a little over $2 million to upgrade our classrooms here at Waihi College.  The intent is to replace the prefab buildings that make up P1 through to P10.  These will be replaced over two stages and replaced by two modern learning blocks.  
Modern learning environments are not actually that modern - the idea has come a long way from when we had the infamous 'Nelson Blocks' of the 70's.  

Here is a link to a post that I did when I visited Mission Heights Junior High in September with some photos of what they've created up there.  


Here are three videos on what the changing environment can do.  Although this is about an existing classroom not a new block it is a good watch.  

The first video is the set up of the situation.  Predominantly it made me realise that although P10 is an older prefabricated building in need of demolition - this guy had it harder (36 students in one classroom - ouch).  However when I watched I could see what looked very similar to the rectangle spaces we have here in New Zealand.  

The second video is about the transformation.  This is the one that made me think about my own space - especially made me think of when I started teaching and everything was in single desk rows.

The third video is the finished product.  The space was definitely an improvement and you can see that it is far more functional.  

So now as a member of staff you may not know if you're one of those who will be teaching in the new block when it is built.  But this is a good opportunity for you to consider the space you teach in currently.  Reflect upon the way that that space adds to the learning that is taking place.  Are there simple things that can be done to improve your learning space.  For example in that above videos the classroom was originally full of furnishings that had been accumulated over time - the space was cluttered and dysfunctional.  Clearing out space is a way to change that.  

This post relates to RTC # 7. promote a collaborative, inclusive and supportive learning environment

Teachers Collective Views Quality Lessons at Waihi College

Quality Delivery of Lessons
It was great to see the consistency of ideas across our collective staff.  This was evidenced by the common themes on the posters we created in our morning pd this term on the 22nd October (see this link to that pd).

The idea of a shared understanding of quality practice is a vital part of a modern learning environment.  

Here is a summary document of all our groups brainstorming...




Most groups identified key themes that;
Bring quality feedback (and feed forward) to the learning experience.  That is to enable the student to clearly understand where they are at and where they can get to in their development across all curriculum areas.  
Similarly all groups identified the ingredient of classroom management.  That students need that safe structured environment to learn.  Some groups drilled down in to how to create these environments.  None of the groups were looking at overtly strict (well none identified that).  Rather there was clear indications of ways of achieving this.

I'm hoping that these ideas are ones that we can collectively build upon over the coming professional development sessions and that this activity will stimulate a greater interest in the ways that teachers are approaching these ideas.  

This post is related to RTC#1. establish and maintain effective professional relationships focused on the learning and well-being of ākonga & RTC#  4. demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional learning and development of personal professional practice

Interview With BOT Trustee

Interview with Mark Skinner

This week I had an opportunity to spend some time with Mark Skinner from the Board of Trustees.  Mark is the father of two students here at Waihi College; Liam (year 9) and Tasmin (year 7).  Mark is an accountant and is a partner/consultant at Waihi Accounting & Taxation Services.

History With Waihi College
Mark is a product of Waihi College himself and attended form form one to seven (as it they were known back then).  He must have been a great student as he boasted that he never got a detention in his time here.  That is a claim which may be disputed by Brent, Norm, or Jill as they were on staff when Mark was a student here.  Also Mark started with Carlene on the same day as year 7's in the same homeroom D2 - in fact it was the same room that she teaches from.  

Mark in the back row.  

Mark remembers his start here at Waihi College as "a bit daunting back then you just turned up on the same day."   

Time On BOT
This is Mark's second year (first term) prior to his election he was involved as a parent as part of sport and action work.  He describes his reason for standing as "I'm hands on and want to be involved in my students education."  






Reflections On His Own Teachers
Marks main memory was that teachers connected with the kids really well.  "They showed an interest.  I had lots of great teachers.  I enjoyed them when they were different I remember fifth form poetry we did Wilfred Owen (It is honorable to die for one country) I used this for school cert - I didn't think that I'd answer poetry section."  He also recalls the climate and culture here at the college; "The school had a good feel everyone got on well.  Teachers were involved in the community which was a big plus."


What Great Teaching Looks Like
For Mark he believes great teaching is about getting the best out of our students (done through connection with them).  "Challenge the students to do their best.   I think that not being solely academic focused is good social and sporting sides are just as important for our students going into the real world."


This post relates to RTC#1. "Establish and maintain effective professional relationships focused on the learning and well-being of ākonga i) engage in ethical, respectful, positive and collaborative professional relationships with:  ākonga, teaching colleagues, support staff and other professionals, whānau and other carers of ākonga" 

This post is the first in a series of posts that I will do focused on some non teaching key stakeholders and what Waihi College and quality teaching means to them.   

D.E.E.P. Staff Feedback Information

Jumping in the Deep End - Update
Thanks to all those staff who wrote up some feedback on the proposed D.E.E.P. programme for 2015. 

The consensus decision among the senior leadership team is that we will not roll out the programme for 2015 in entirety.  Rather we have taken on board the concern that we should endeavour to have greater detail and buy in from staff first.  

We are anticipating that we will trial the D.E.E.P. programme (in some format) for a term next year - but to use the time between now and then to better plan for it.  

Here is a copy of all the feedback from staff.  I've not edited these in anyway.  Most were anonymous.  


    

This post relates to RTC #6. conceptualise, plan and implement an appropriate learning programme