Point Of Learning With Pete Hall. Leadership In Teaching And Learning.

About: This week we meet Diana-Grace Morris, Assistant Principal at Ridgway School, Wellington. She’s passionate about futures thinking, complexity and challenging some of the norms and assumptions of teachers work. Today she shares her doubts about what raises achievement and offers some new approaches to student and adult learning.   Key Points: Warmth of interaction as a priority Focussing on student experience, one student at a time Collegial vs congenial relationships ‘Commoning’ as a way of learning together in public How ‘getting it right’ can sometimes be the wrong focus How to move into uncertainty   Other resources and Links Mentioned: Diana Grace on Twitter Diana Grace’s blog Simple Habits for Complex Times   Music courtesy of  http://www.bensound.com

About: This week we meet Betsy Corcoran, CEO and founder of Edsurge.com. Betsy was in New Zealand as the international keynote for the Education technology Summit at Massey University. We caught up to talk shop and to take a tour of a couple of Auckland schools. Edsurge write reviews on education technology and bring teachers and Ed-tech companies together to talk about what teachers need. Today Betsy talks about teacher agency, and how every school should choose the tools that best fit their context.     Key Points: Teacher agency How teachers and ed-tech leaders communicate How teachers decide what technology to use Why learning needs to be fun   Other resources and Links Mentioned: Edsurge.com Edsurge podcast   Music courtesy of  http://www.bensound.com

About: Jeannie is the National Library Adviser for the Far North Region, where her passion for reading, and her drive to help create great libraries has her constantly on the go. She has a deep understanding of how reading can bring a community together, and today she shares her experience helping teachers, school leaders and communities find connections through their libraries. Key Points: The library as a central space for community Reading dogs as great listeners How do schools show that reading is valued? How can parents participate? How libraries can learn to ‘let go’ The role of e-books How reading develops empathy   Other resources and Links Mentioned: Jeannie on ‘Why we need libraries’, in the Campbell’s Bay school newsletter. Miranda McKearney OBE - from Empathy Labs ‘Compassion is the heart’s imagination’ - Wislawa Szymborska Jeannie’s blog Wayne Mills - Kids Lit Quiz National Library blog. Including Jeannie’s work. Ruawai Primary Ohaeawai School Library blog.

About: Nick Pattison is the STEM Science and Innovation Hub Director at Rongomai School in South Auckland. He has a knack for applying for grants that lead to his students getting involved in their community and learning to become leaders in STEM through inquiries that make an impact in their world. In this episode, Nick shares his approach to introducing STEM, and talks about Rongomai School’s journey so far.   Key Points: How to start in STEM - new sources of funds and resources Making the most of your community  - getting involved in projects that make connections Learning through trying and failing Why we shouldn’t compare ourselves to Finland Choosing citizen science projects that meet learning needs Helping kids feel ‘smart enough to do science’   Other resources and Links Mentioned: Nick on Twitter Article about Nick Curious Minds - Funding for school Science projects Music courtesy of  http://www.bensound.com

About: This week we meet Tanya Gray, coordinator and lead presenter at Gather Workshops. She’s on a mission to increase the uptake of programming in secondary schools. With a professional background in web development, Tanya is now applying her real-world experience to classroom learning and bridging the gap between schools and industry. In this episode she shares her passion for teaching people to build the web for themselves.   Key Points: Teaching people to build the web Focussing on student achievement Why teach code? Programming and the New Zealand Curriculum Letting student interests lead What is professionalism?   Other resources and Links Mentioned: Tanya on Twitter Tanya’s Site Gather Workshops Gather Conference Gather Workshops on Twitter   Music courtesy of  http://www.bensound.com

About: Margaret Thorsborne is a leader in restorative practice and workplace conflict resolution. Margaret’s work has transformed how many schools approach what we often call discipline or behaviour management. As a teacher or parent, if you’ve ever caught yourself nagging, or raising your voice about the same old things, then restorative practice can really help. Today Margaret talks about how her work began, and why we need to look at things differently if we want to really help young people build good relationships. Key Points: The history of ‘consequences’ as behaviour management The school to prison pipeline How to be the adult in the room The dark history of parenting ‘Code switching’ to read the play The ‘quick fix’ is a myth How the Police use RP The risks of outsourcing behaviour management RP with adults in the workplace Other resources and Links Mentioned: Margaret on Twitter Margaret’s site Nathan Mikaere Wallis - Getting kids to behave (Radio New Zealand interview) Norman Doidge The Brain T

About: Fabiana Kubke is a neuroscientist and lecturer at Auckland University. Fabiana has taught at all levels of education and is passionate about open science and collaborative learning. Today she talks about her studies on the brain and how we learn and, she shares some of her many insights on teaching and learning.   Key Points: What animals can teach us about emergent properties of the brain How we practice while we sleep Brain/machine interfaces How assessment influences sharing Resources constraints to encourage collaboration The infinite value of curiosity in learning How history still drives current pedagogy Comparing tools of engagement   Other resources and Links Mentioned: Fabiana on Twitter Fabiana’s science blog   Music courtesy of  http://www.bensound.com

About: This week we meet Tony Burkin, leadership coach and Director of Leadership and Learning at Interlead. Tony works with leaders and teachers all over the country and he’s passionate about the power of dialogue to bring about change. Today he shares his experience in supporting educators to stay curious and offers some great ways to grow professionalism and critical thinking in schools.    Key Points: It’s not only about the kids How to promote transformational learning The power of staying curious Teaching as a profession Teaching strategy vs teaching practice The value of journalling for teacher reflection   Other resources and Links Mentioned: Interlead  Tony Professional practice versus teaching practice - blogpost   Music courtesy of  http://www.bensound.com

About: This week we meet Mike Chunn, founding member of the iconic Kiwi band Split Enz and CEO of the Play it Strange Trust. Play it Strange was established to encourage young New Zealanders to get involved in songwriting and musical performance. Today Mike talks about the power of songwriting; how it can provide confidence, power and purpose to young people, and how schools can it happen.   Key Points: The importance of a competitive environment for young songwriters What makes a great song? How to build a songwriting school? How songs empower us to face challenges Mental health and music   Other Resources and Links Mentioned: Play it StrangeTrust - Look for a link to the new ‘Strange World’ student community in June. Mike Chunn Split Enz Mike Chunn & The Long Black Cloud (Documentary on mental health featuring Mike) Music courtesy of  http://www.bensound.com

About: This week we meet Philippa Nicoll Antipas, former Head of English who has taken her career and her thinking in new directions working with the good people at the Mindlab, and most recently, with the Connected Learning Advisory giving schools unbiased advice on integrating technology. Today Philippa talks about design thinking, teacher agency, and how the language of change management influences how we see our colleagues.   Key Points: Do we really need to disrupt education? Implementing design thinking in education How do we apply empathy to hear minority voices Coming back to why we became teachers The language of change management Feeding teachers to grow capacity Teacher agency Other resources and Links Mentioned: Connected Learning Advisory Philippa’s Blog Philippa on Twitter Music courtesy of  http://www.bensound.com

About: This week we meet Steve Mouldey, Deputy Principal at Lynfield College. Steve has a passion for design thinking, great culture, and reflective practice, and his capacity for taking on new ideas and testing them in the wild is extraordinary. Today Steve talks about complexity theory, and why he’s now a little less focussed on student agency.   Key Points:   Complexity theory Personalisation in teaching Enabling constraints Using technology to empower empathy Efficacy vs agency The possible cost of a flexible curriculum Empathy     Other resources and Links Mentioned:   The complex classroom. (Steve’s blog post) ICOT - International Conference on Thinking A Global Dialogue Steve on twitter

About: This week we meet Summer Howarth, Director of Learning at Education Changemakers in Australia. Summer’s work with schools isn’t about offering answers from the front of the room, it’s about empowering teachers to design their own change that make sense in their schools. Today she talks about what’s possible when teachers choose their own change.   Key Points: Design thinking for education Teachers designing their own change Shared language of process Student led enterprise Wellbeing of staff to increase retention Other resources and Links Mentioned: Summer is @edusum on twitter educationchangemakers.com Edcuation Changemakers ideas website: ecideas.org

About: This week we meet Arturo Pelayo. A connector of people and ideas, Arturo’s interests include using 3d printing to teach astronomy to the blind, helping young people explore genetic maker culture, and bringing the power of empathy and parental guidance to help students make better decisions. Today Arturo shares his thoughts on the future, and how we can help guide the high school students who are learning to re-code our DNA.   Key Points: The genetic maker movement Creating spaces for inquiry and curiosity How do parents guide the curiosity of young genetic engineers? The role of societal morals to help guide our young people Peer funder science projects - sequencing the Kakapo   Other resources and Links Mentioned: iGEM conference Arturo on twitter Kakapo sequencing project

About: Karla has worked in Sydney, London and Central Otago developing her passion for brain-based learning, philosophy for children and gifted education. She’s also an ICT facilitator who has made an art of bringing the digital world into good face to face learning about who we are online, and why that matters. Karla loves creating authentic leadership opportunities for young people, so it’s no surprise that her current role is being the ‘sole adult’ amongst a talented bunch of youth leaders as part of her work with the Sticks and Stones cybersafety project. Today she talks about authentic collaboration, and really letting students lead the way. Key Points: Religious diversity and finding the similarities within difference Alternative education meets standardised testing One day school as a place for giving new approaches due time The mess or real learning How we need to see young leaders as experts Involving students in important processes Building confidence in New Zealand teachers Sticks

About: This week we meet Dr Jason Ohler, a professor emeritus, writer, teacher and storyteller. Ten years ago, I found an amazing resource on storytelling. A short book by Jason, that spoke to the heart of what a great story really is, and how we can make our own from local ingredients. It changed my practice forever. Over the last thirty years, Jason has taken his skill for communicating the value of story to help his school, university and community students develop the new literacies they need to be successful in the digital age. Key Points: futuring - and the future of our relationship with technology eportfolios as a way to plot growth Figure and ground relationships The innate value of story Other resources and Links Mentioned: http://www.jasonohlerideas.com/ Digital Citizenship Summit http://www.digcitsummit.com/ Reclaiming Conversation (Amazon) Wilson Miner - When We Build (Great video that explains some of Marshall Mc Luhan’s thinking Neil Stephenson’s book - The Diamond Age Me

  About: Rachel Bolstad is a senior researcher at the New Zealand Centre for Education Research (NZCER) in Wellington. Her experience exploring the breadth and depth of education is exceptional. Researchers have the unusual opportunity to make borderless connections, and see patterns across theory, practice, community, and policy. Today she shares her thoughts on the future, the power of immersive experience, and how we can really shift thinking in education.   Key Points: What researchers hear that never shows in their research The lasting impact of asking a good question The Museum of Before and the power of immersive theatre Dealing with an unknowable future How true learning takes place How we think about Modern Learning Environments How can we really help people and communities change is it OK to experiment with other people’s education?   Other resources and Links Mentioned: https://twitter.com/shiftingthinkng Rachel on twitter The Diamond Age - by Neal Stephenson Rachel’s blog,

About: Sue Cattell and I were in the same Aspiring Principals course in 2013. In 2014 she made the leap to principalship at Milford School in Auckland. Now, a year into that journey Sue shares her experience and offers some advice for those stepping up to new responsibilities. This is a rare insight into the challenges of new leadership, and the strategies that help make it successful.   Key Points: How to start as a new leader How to build relationships How to know what to change, and what to leave alone Three things to know about your new team What questions to ask in a self review How provocations can build engagement Less is more - for engaging students What’s a non-googleable challenge?   Other resources and Links Mentioned: Provocations in Education

About: This week we meet Jewella, AKA Dr Jenine Beekhuyzen, Griffith University IT lecturer and founder of the Tech Girls movement, and Alyona Medelyan, founder of Entopix, and organiser of the ‘STEAM Ahead’ events to encourage girls to consider careers in STEAM. Thought we’d like to think that gender stereotypes are mostly a thing of the past, the truth is a different matter. Today Janine and Alyona talk about what they’re doing to try and change things.   Key Points: Hidden gender stereotypes that change career paths STEAM ahead events - changing how girls see STEAM subjects How events change what students think about helping the world Real-life role models making STEAM accessible The value of hands-on experience How to support schools to develop STEAM in class   Other resources and Links Mentioned: STEAM Ahead site Video: Why are fewer people studying science and engineering? Tech Girl Superheroes on Twitter (Tweets by Jenine) http://www.techgirlsmovement.org/ http://www.techgirlsar

About: Andrew Cowie has always had a passion for digital citizenship and he’s developed that knowledge through his experience working with the NEAL group, the National Library, and most recently CORE Education. When Andrew works with parents, teachers and students he brings his invaluable perspective, as a father who has had to address these issues in his own home. Expect to come away with some great ideas for managing devices in your own home, or supporting parents faced with the same challenge.     Key Points: The temptation to multitask Practical steps to manage work on devices What to do when you can’t keep up Managing the ecosystem of the home How to have better conversations with your children about their learning   Other resources and Links Mentioned: Andrew on Twitter Upper Harbour Primary Digital Citizenship agreement Home Digital Citizenship agreement

About: This week we meet Diti Hill, researcher, lecturer, and an expert on the Reggio Emilia approach to teaching and learning. If you’ve ever felt like taking some time to re-examine your practice as a leader, teacher or a learner, this is the podcast to have. Be sure to read the articles in the notes below too. The ideas Diti shares here are fundamental, and strike right at the heart of why we teach and what it is to be a learner.   Key Points: The value of listening How to reflect on the role of a teacher Theory happening in front of our eyes The image of the child as a threat The environment as the third teacher Using provocations to create engagement How we unconsciously override student dialogue The image of the child as powerful Welcoming uncertainty and complexity   Other resources and Links Mentioned: Ann Pelo: From Teaching to Thinking Re Igniting our Role as Educators Ann Pelo: Children as Researchers Margie Carter: Doing Reggio? Renaldi, C: Documentation and Assessment.