DFI Day 5

Kia ora,

This is my blog post reflection for DFI Day 5 2022 that was held on Friday 3rd June.

Akohia/Learn:

Visible Kaupapa is the idea of making teaching and learning easily seen by all. It is largely driven by the processes of planning and assessment which continually spur each other on in a cycle. This kaupapa intends to make learning available and accessible. In the digital world that our ākonga live in, digital is their default, so we as teachers should see no reason not to provide learning that can be accessed on an iPad or Chromebook. 

The second idea for me to consider and engage with is 'Multi-Modal' learning. Multimodal learning suggests that when a number of our senses – visual, auditory, kinaesthetic – are being engaged during learning, we understand and remember more. This is helpful in that our learners can be more engaged, there may be the opportunity to provide them with a personalised learning experience, and that this may in turn, result in accelerated shift. In my class, I can provide multiple learning texts and experiences that focus on a single narrow subject such as whales and if this encourages behavioural engagement from students, it may lead to more cognitive engagement. In other words, more visible learning. 

Here is an example if what the difference between traditional and Multi-Modal learning looks likes:

For a specific example, I looked at T shaped literacy was combined with Multi-Modal learning at Paihia School, in the Far North. The gist of their project was to have a narrow focus to dig deeper into the question of how writers use language techniques to create powerful imagery in the mind of their readers. Following the principles of T-shaped literacy, students read multiple physical and digital texts, responded to multiple texts through reading comprehension, creating pieces of writing and short animated films. Assessment was taken before and after for results to be analysed for any accelerated shift. It appears to me that because students had a range of multi-modal texts and learning experiences to draw upon, they were perhaps more engaged, and this may be a factor in the learning responses they produced and any accelerated shift seen from their assessment data.

Hanga/Create:

I have seen my colleagues blogs about Multi Modal learning as well as the examples in the agenda and now have several interesting ideas for how I might approach 'Design for Learning' in the future.

Tohatoha/Share:

Lastly, this is now an opportunity to reflect upon this blog, and I have answered a couple of questions.

What have I learned that has helped increase my understanding of the Manaiakalani kaupapa and pedagogy?

I have learned that Multi Modal learning is a great way to fully engage the human senses that promotes further behavioural and cognitive learning. Multi Modal learning approaches such as using text, video, and audio sources of learning provides more scope and range for a wider range of students to allow for a chance to have a personalised learning experience.

What have I learned that can be used with my learners?

I have learned that I can use more than the traditional pencil and paper approach to teaching and learning, and that I need to look for my student's strengths and interests when designing lessons and learning experiences for them so that they are as engaged as possible.

Mā te wā