Contemporary Trends in NZ and Internationally (Week 27)

The US National Intelligence Council’s (2017), ‘Global Trends: The Paradox of Progress identifies ‘Technology is accelerating progress but causing discontinuities.' In education and our communities of practice this can be identified by those who can afford technology and have the technological capabilities, and those who do not. It is also enhanced by educational structures that weave digital competencies and growth mindsets into everyday school life and those who are brave enough to use the curriculum learners to use digital tools to evolve their key competencies rather than narrow it.

With digital growth comes opportunity and choice. In 2018, the Draft Digital Curriculum is expected to be implemented across all New Zealand schools. Most New Zealand Schools have been part of the School Network Upgrade Project or SNUP. Glenbrook School is a SNUP school and in 2017 adopted a Bring Your Own Device policy for all students in years 5-8. Students in years 3&4 have devices provided for by the school and students in years 0-2 have access to tablets. Students who could not afford devices in years 5-8 have devices provided for them at school.

The Board of Trustees ensured that policy and procedure was in place long before 2017. Communication and consultation with the community occurred throughout 2016 so there were no surprises for parents. Teaching staff are expected to participate in the Mindlab’s PostGraduate programme for digital capabilities and eight teachers will have successfully completed the programme at the end of 2017.

The use of online platforms, digital tools continues to increase with opportunities for students to explore and discover through coding, robotics, digital play and digital presentation tools. Glenbrook School has a balanced lens with digital. Whilst technology is an opportunity and creates choice, students need to play and discover with and without technology so that creativity and innovation may merge with educational accountability. At Glenbrook School, a focus on our Qualities of Learning allows for this balanced approach. Those Qualities of Learning are Collaboration: We work together, Thinkers - We use metacognition and problem solve, Self Managing: We are responsible for our learning, ourselves and others, Communicators: We are confident and effective communicators and Future Focused: We are preparing for our successful future selves.

Digital tools allow staff to share professionally with all communities of practices tools, resources, communication in a timely manner. It enables professionals, students, and whanau to be accountable and responsible as long as clear expectations and procedures are clear from the start. However, this can be difficult when contributing parties do not have the same understanding or expectations. From using shared tools or communication unprofessionally or beyond procedures or the Code of Conduct not being upheld within social media, technology also has the platform to bring our profession and professionals into disrepute. It is important that professionals, Boards of Trustees and school have clear and simple policies, codes of conduct and procedures in place so that infrastructure and practice are focused on educational outcomes and key educational competency outcomes. If staff can learn these within a team approach then model these deliberately with students, then technology can remain a way forward for positive opportunities to play, explore and discover.

References:
National Intelligence Council. (2017). Global trends: The Paradox of Progress. National Intelligence Council: US. Retrieved from https://www.dni.gov/files/images/globalTrends/documents/GT-Main-Report.pdf