Set: Open access articles for COVID-19 times

COVID-19 relevance: Wellbeing

There are currently very few resources available in New Zealand for teaching mental health education (within the Health and Physical Education learning area). Outside providers are, however, offering different programmes for sale to schools (in areas such as positive psychology, mindfulness, and growth mindset). These tend to be individualistic, not to mention expensive. NZCER Press has, however, just published a new comprehensive… Read more

COVID-19 relevance: Wellbeing

Awareness of mindfulness in New Zealand school communities is growing, and many teachers are becoming aware of its significance to support health and wellbeing in the classroom. This article discusses qualitative research on a 6-week mindfulness programme for teachers and students which showed that teachers perceived specific mindfulness activities reduced their stress levels and improved their present-moment awareness. The teachers also… Read more

COVID-19 relevance: Digital learners / online

In June 2016, Paraparaumu College and Kenakena School, from the Kāpiti Coast, investigated the use of digital technology in supporting a personalised learning framework. This article presents three case studies of how personalisation was used, and explains the development of markers of personalisation for the two schools.

COVID-19 relevance: Digital learners / online

Is reading on screen is the same as reading on paper? Is reading comprehension the same in both media? After reviewing relevant research, the article describes and reports the results of an NZCER research project that compared data records from online and paper-based versions of the assessment tool PAT:Reading Comprehension.

COVID-19 relevance: Digital learners / online

Set interviews computer scientist Professor Tim Bell to figure out how computational thinking differs from digital literacy, and why both might be important for today’s society. Tim explains his mission to introduce teachers and students to computational thinking, even without a computer in sight. His work with schools—from junior primary to senior secondary—shows that computational thinking augments a range of… Read more

COVID-19 relevance: Digital learners / online

Digital games are responsible for turning my pedagogical practice on its head and landing me in New Zealand. My journey down the digital games “rabbit hole” started in 2007. Not having a map to follow ended up being revolutionary as I learnt to follow the learning. I describe four important lessons I have learnt through working with students in digital games and virtual worlds.

COVID-19 relevance: Digital learners / online

Recent moves within New Zealand and internationally have called for the inclusion of computational learning through activities such as coding, in school curricula. However, including activities such as coding in school curricula is a bold move, and one that will require significant support if it is to successfully achieve its goals. This article reports on outcomes from the first year of a TLRI-supported study exploring… Read more

COVID-19 relevance: Parents supporting learning at home / Language learning / Te Reo Māori

Common approaches to language teaching in many New Zealand schools typically show a lack of attention to students’ own language-learning strategies. This article argues that the success or otherwise of language immersion programmes, in particular within Māori-medium educational settings, depend as much on the skills and strategies of the student as on those of the teacher.… Read more

COVID-19 relevance: Supporting students' metacognition

In Q&A Pam Hook reflects on what drew her to SOLO taxonomy and why she is so motivated to develop its classroom-based use to enhance student learning. She explains what SOLO is and how it can help students to articulate their learning outcomes, understand the learning process, and set new learning goals over time. I also asked her to highlight some of the pitfalls that teachers may want to avoid, and to… Read more

COVID-19 relevance: Evaluating online information

Evaluating information quality is a key skill students need to develop as they navigate the complex information landscape. Students need to develop an awareness of effective ways to evaluate information given the abundance of information (and misinformation) available online. This article introduces the Rauru Whakarare Evaluation Framework, which offers a kaupapa Māori-informed perspective designed to foster deeper… Read more