Innovation and Technology in Art and Maori

One of our goals for the new St Margaret's College Centre for Innovation is to integrate technology and innovation across the curriculum.  The uptake from staff has been really exciting and the space is being utilised across a range of subject areas, taking a project based learning approach.  

During Term Three I had the pleasure of working with both the Art and Maori teachers in combining a unit of work with the Year 6 students.  The brief was to use their knowledge from Maori and Art to produce a pendant or magnet.  Through Maori the girls learnt about the patterns depicted in the wharenui.  They discussed the meaning behind the traditional colours of red, white, black and green and chose their object accordingly.  As students drew their images, they were mindful that these pictures held a story and the design of their fridge magnet of pendant had to represent something of personal meaning to each individual.  

Through their Art classes, they looked at shapes. They were challenged to identify open and closed, positive and negative spaces on their design and use the same image replicated differently with these concepts.  Finally the design was printed using our 3D printers.  We used an app on the iPad called PrintShop which captured a photo of the girls design. From here we were able to resize and manipulate it before printing it.  I am grateful to our Art and Maori teachers, Maria and Sue for their collaboration and combined effort to make this unit of work such a success.

Linda Chong
Head of the St Margaret's College Centre for Innovation
Cross posted from the St Margaret's College Centre for Innovation Blog

Why should Canterbury Educators be Connected Educators?

Here we are, October 1st, which can only mean one thing; Connected Educator Month 2015 has arrived. If you're a PD junkie like me, this is fantastic news. We have free and open access to a plethora of events designed to help us nurture and refresh our professional selves. We can dip in and out as the mood strikes us and be inspired by amazing things happening in education. Aaaah, bliss.

There's no doubt that becoming a Connected Educator is transformative. Being connected is impactful for all educators but I feel strongly that given the events of the past few years, it is even more important for Canterbury educators to seek out inspiring professional connections with others.

It used to be said that Christchurch people were adverse to change. Remember that? Now we deal with constant change on a daily basis and you know what? We're getting good at it! We might even embrace some of it. That doesn't mean it is always easy. Our schools are changing at such a rate we'd have to be superhuman to not get exhausted every now and then. We've all had changes to work through, whether it is closing or merging schools, falling or increasing rolls, earthquake repairs or rebuilds and there is always the ongoing concern we hold for the children in our care, many of whom continue to suffer. On top of that, like everyone else, we're working hard to get on board with MLP and MLEs and ILEs and all the other three-letter acronyms. So it is imperative that we turn to each other for support and inspiration.

Image from Metservice Blog http://blog.metservice.com/tag/christchurch/

The interwebs and social media have allowed us to connect in ways we couldn't have imagined ten or fifteen years ago. And it is important that we use the tools at our disposal to connect with others outside our current school or learning environment. We need to get out of our own "echo chamber" and seek a perspective beyond our school gates; fresh voices which challenge us and prompt us to reflect on our practice and see things in a new light.

Last year, Chched initiated 31 Days of Blogging, a celebration of the awesome things happening in Canterbury schools. It was a roaring success and a timely reminder that despite the unique challenges we're facing, educators here continue to strive to do the best we can for the learners in our care. And we're doing a great job!

From this article; https://goo.gl/eoou2C

ChchEd's 31 Days of Blogging is back for 2015. We want to keep celebrating the Canterbury- goodness. For the entire month of October, ChchEd will be showcasing great things happening in our awesome province. We'll be sharing posts from educators, both in and outside the classroom; subscribe to this blog so you'll never miss a post! One thing's for sure; you'll be inspired and encouraged by the posts; we know, we've read them! And if you are an educator from Canterbury who'd like to write a post, please fill in this form and a member of the team will get back to you.

A favour...... if you're inspired by a post, leave the writer a comment. You'll be forming new connections and continuing the rich conversations that blogging enables so beautifully.

Just one more thing, the ChchEd committee is always looking for new members. If you are passionate about facilitating connections between Canterbury educators, please complete this form and we'll be in touch.

So roll on Connected Educator Month and welcome to ChchEd's 31 Days of Blogging.

Back by popular demand: 31 Days of Blogging from Chched!

Canterbury Educators; we'd love you to blog for this year's Chched 31 Days of Blogging. Share the great practice happening in your learning space. If you are interested in writing a post, complete this form and one of the Chched Team will be in touch. Remember Derek Sivers' message, "Obvious to You, Amazing to Others!" Check out the 31 Days of Blogging label to see some of last year's posts.