Here is a photo I took last week that captures the students in the process of learning.
An explanation of what is happening:
Our context for learning are the United Nations Sustainability Goals (SDGs).
Students are working on an inquiry around Goal 13 - Climate Action.
- On the TV in the background is an interactive map from Before the Flood,
- The whiteboard has some instructions.
- Each student has a specific role within the group
- This table has 1 device, they are tasked with trying to come up with 'potential problems in Christchurch if our sea level rises due to an increase of 2.5 degrees global average temperature. They are thinking and working together on the cultural, environmental, and economic impacts.
- The computer has a template to assist the students which has been distributed through Microsoft Teams/Assignments to only one student in the group - you can see this open and it is this students responsibility to fill it in and submit it later in the week.
- Another student is the scribe for the group and you can see her writing down the ideas shared by the other members. These are going A3 sheets of paper to be used at a later lesson in another activity.
- You can see another student is explaining her thoughts to the other students in the group.
Our curriculum with this class is integrating at Year 9 (age 13): Science, Social Studies and English. Students work on student led inquiry. Currently, they see each teacher in a different timetabled slot rather than teachers teaching at the same time. The curriculum specialist works with students on their inquiry however, sharing and teaching to their specialist subject. For example, I had students ask about the release of gasses back into the atmosphere when trees die. This is not something as a Social Science teacher that I am particular knowledgeable about. This was passed on to the Science teacher to explain in more detail.
This picture to me, shows students: communicating, collaborating, managing their learning,and working with appropriate tools to deepen their understanding.