Who are our Priority Learners and how is the use of online tools meeting their needs?
The Education Revue Office states that our priority learners are, "Groups of students who have been identified as historically not experiencing success in the New Zealand schooling system. These include Māori and Pacific learners, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, and students with special educational needs, ERO (2012)
A question that requires more discussion is whether the online learning engagements offered in New Zealand schools and helping them learn to their potential?
A question that requires more discussion is whether the online learning engagements offered in New Zealand schools and helping them learn to their potential?
A broader question could be what we measure against?
ReplyDeleteThis could even be locality specific and based on the needs of the students. For example the needs of urban Maori could be quite different to those living in a rural setting at any specific time.
Should we be measuring against national standards or other standardised assessments, the key competencies in the New Zealand curriculum or even the 21st century key competencies as outlined here https://goo.gl/2NlHdt
There are online programmes ( Literacy and mathematics based) that personalise the learning specifically to the child's needs. These programmes have also been designed to measure the progress that the student has made over a period of time. I also agree with the above statement what is it exactly that is being measured? Nat Stds, KC's, 21st century KC's, learning outcomes? It is really difficult to pinpoint exactly what the contributing factors are towards raised academic achievement, it could be a combination of many things as well as online interventions.
ReplyDeleteOne way to measure learning progress is by looking at the key competencies and if they are being strengthened. For example...in my class I have noted that several of my Maori students are more engaged and thinking and collaborating on a daily basis. They are doing this way more online than they would be just face to face.
ReplyDeleteThe best way to measure the effect would be to follow a scientific approach and use a control class (with children of similar ability and background) that does not use online programmes. Given the same curriculum, improvements due to online learning aids should be apparent compared to the control class after a given period of time.
ReplyDelete