Students spend the majority of their year in a focussed environment where they are consistently practicing and participating in reading. But when the doors close for summer and the students leave to head back into the real world, they don't perceive reading as a fun or pleasurable activity. And therefore not worth pursuing whilst they are away from school. The strategies that haven't quite turned into long term knowledge disappear into the clear blue skies of summer break. Thus resulting in a regression in reading progress.
Author: Georgi de S
The Power of Professional Development
I was privileged to host the SLANZA Term 4 event in our library last weekend and was blown away by the passion, and in depth conversations I witnessed from the 37 participants. Being a new librarian I find it invaluable to attend as much professional development as I can. The potential and mind expanding properties… Continue reading The Power of Professional Development
Modern Learning started in Libraries – so what is a future focussed library?
A year into my journey as the Library Leader at Hobsonville Point Secondary School, I am taking some time to reflect on where we've come from and where we are going next. A year ago, I was excited to be starting my new position in a Modern Learning environment. I had never worked in a… Continue reading Modern Learning started in Libraries – so what is a future focussed library?
Game On – How Gaming can change the ways you teach key competencies!
Why Gaming? Gaming. It's a little bit of a controversial subject in education - some love it, and some hate it. But Gaming at it's essence is about relationships and relational understanding, it is through games that we can learn about our world and how to interact with those around us. In our library at… Continue reading Game On – How Gaming can change the ways you teach key competencies!
#Edchatnz Blog Meme; aka a reflection on my time at the conference
1. How did you attend the #edchatnz conference (face 2 face, followed online or didn’t)? I’m lucky enough to work at the amazing Hobsonville Point Secondary School, so I had the conference brought to me! I was there Face 2 Face on both days. 2. How many others attended from your school or organisation? a… Continue reading #Edchatnz Blog Meme; aka a reflection on my time at the conference
The “Ah Ha” moment with technology
I am very privileged to work with a number of excellent educational practitioners and they are particularly excellent in the way they use technology. Before I go further, this excellence does not mean they are whizz banging hot shot 'digital migrants', it means they know how to use technology as a tool to enhance and… Continue reading The “Ah Ha” moment with technology
Themifying our Collection – why and how?
Libraries have traditionally organised their collection based on the author's surname and in the case of non-fiction upon the Dewey Decimal system. However, a fictional collection based solely on an author's surname does not appear to be a responsive or particularly helpful method for students to find books. And here's why... Jean Piaget was an educational… Continue reading Themifying our Collection – why and how?
Growth Mindset: Seeing the risk and taking the chance anyway
Maurie proposed a challenge for our staff at the end of a long, exciting and full-on Term 1. The Challenge to examine how we are developing our Growth Mindsets. Over the past week and a half I have had a chance to think more deeply and reflect upon building and maintaining growth mindset as I attended and participated… Continue reading Growth Mindset: Seeing the risk and taking the chance anyway
The power of gaming in education
This term I have been offering a MyTime slot known as Gamer's Anonymous. Most Wednesdays I have the privilege of hosting this slot in our library and watching the students strategically and skilfully playing games such as DOTA, LOL, Minecraft and Neverwinter. I never wanted the library to be a silent space where I peer… Continue reading The power of gaming in education
Creating a Space
Space. The noun describes a physical space where people are free to remain or move around. As a verb, it refers to the act of positioning items at a distance from each other. When creating a physical space to initiate, support and enhance learning the purposeful creation of separate and well positioned spaces is an… Continue reading Creating a Space