Investigating knowledge application in educational settings
In the educational landscape of New Zealand, the webinar "Exploring Mātauranga in the Classroom" by Chloe Stantiall has generated quite a buzz. Although search results provide limited information, the session is confirmed to delve into the rich tapestry of knowledge systems and the teaching of Kōwhai in English medium classrooms.
The webinar, it is inferred, would likely emphasise the importance of authentically integrating Māori knowledge into English medium settings to enrich learning experiences. Kōwhai, a culturally significant plant, is proposed to be used as a contextual learning resource, connecting science and cultural knowledge.
Strategies for teachers to respectfully incorporate Māori perspectives, narratives, and values into classroom teaching about native flora are also expected to feature prominently. Encouraging students to engage with the environment and understand the cultural significance of plants like Kōwhai beyond scientific facts is another key theme.
Bicultural competence is likely to be promoted by blending te reo Māori and English terminology and concepts around Kōwhai. The session is reported to include a week-long teaching and learning sequence about Kōwhai, and activities such as "Planting Kōwhai seeds | Whakatōngia kākano Kōwhai", "Observing Kōwhai | Āta titiro Kōwhai", "Collecting Kōwhai seeds | Kohikohia ngā kākano Kōwhai", and "Creating Kōwhai infographics" are also included.
In addition, the webinar resources include the article "Mātauranga Māori of Kōwhai" and the PLD article "Exploring Kōwhai mātauranga in the classroom". Chloe Stantiall, a year 5-6 kaiako at Silverdale Normal School, developed teaching resources based on her learning with her class, which will be shared and unpacked during the session.
For safety considerations when planning activities with plants, useful links are provided, including resources from Manaaki Whenua, the National Poisons Centre, the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network, and The Science Learning Hub. The recorded professional learning session can be accessed directly from the hosting platform or associated education organisations.
A Slideshow from the webinar "Exploring Mātauranga in the Classroom" is available for additional support. It can be downloaded as a 23 MB file from the Referencing Hub media. The resources discussed in the webinar can be found at bit.ly/kohwai. The session also includes an activity called "Sharing scientific understanding through poetry".
Chloe Stantiall worked with Associate Professor Maurice Cheng as part of a Teaching and Learning Research Initiative (TLRI) funded research project: Envisioning student possible selves in science: Addressing 'plant blindness' through place-based education. Greta Dromgool is also a participant in the recorded professional learning session.
For those seeking precise, detailed insights from the webinar, it is recommended to access the full webinar recording or materials directly from the hosting platform or associated education organisations.
This webinar, led by Chloe Stantiall, emphasizes the integration of Māori knowledge into English medium classrooms, utilizing Kōwhai as a contextual learning resource to enrich science and education-and-self-development. The session also focuses on teaching strategies to respectfully incorporate Māori perspectives, promoting bicultural competence and engaging students in understanding plants like Kōwhai beyond mere learning.
