Professional Development: Online tool helps teachers connect with students and whanau

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What are the Te Rito Online Bicultural Competency Modules for educators, and what can they add to your school?

Kia Maia Bicultural Communications has responded to requests from teachers and launched an Educators’ Edition of comprehensive online learning tool the Te Rito Bicultural Competency Modules.

This special edition of the highly-useful professional development resource is specifically aimed teachers, school trustees and school administrators.

The Te Rito Bicultural Competency Modules have been educating and entertaining the public sector in various editions since 2002.

It’s the answer for those who have been looking for an online tool that not only provides robust evidence of professional development but, more importantly, gives users practical tools and knowledge they can apply every day in their work.

The 14 interactive modules are spread over four courses. They employ best-practice e-learning techniques that ensure technology enhances the learning process, rather than distracting from it.

Prior to launching, the modules were tested with a variety of education professionals to ensure they deliver an effective, intellectually robust and enjoyable experience for users in the sector.

In addition, a pilot programme was run in three schools and a tertiary provider in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Pilot users sang the praises of the modules:

“LOVED it. I thought a LOT of time, money and expertise had gone into
putting this together. It is beautifully produced.”

“A wonderful way to explore new knowledge that was practical and easy
to follow. The modules allowed me to gain a better understanding of Māori
perspectives and gave practical examples of how I can be more aware in my
everyday life.”

“I loved the way it was introduced, the interactive nature of the
modules, the extra little pieces you could click on, the comments from all
nationalities – the points of view. The sense of humour that came through
showed the nature of the way it had been put together.”

“Easy to follow, easy to go back and practice, easy to navigate, good
information.”

“I would highly recommend it because it’s a one-stop shop and you
don’t have to go looking all through the internet.”

The modules are accessed through the Kia Māia website and provide the ability to track user progress so learning can be seen, measured and acknowledged. The modules provide clearly scaffolded learning for users, including cumulative glossaries and independent learning tools that can be returned to after completion and used over and over again to assist understanding and build skills.

Schools have the option to purchase the number of individual licenses that suit their needs, and more licenses can be added over time. The goal for education institutions is to ensure all staff complete the modules in due course, providing a clear benchmark of bicultural competence for the entire organisation and – more importantly – developing the skills and understanding needed by educators to ensure all their students can reach their full learning potential.

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All 14 modules follow the same basic structure:

    • Introduction of key concepts
    • Examples of these concepts in New Zealand life, particularly in the workplace
    • An interactive tool to provide the opportunity to master the new concepts and skills
    • A brief learning assessment quiz that must be passed in order to complete the module.

On the Kia Māia website www.kiamaia.org.nz you can see a showreel of the standard modules, as well as a slide show of screens from the Educators’ Edition. You can also request access to the Learning Management System to try the modules for yourself and see how easy it is for your school to manage its learners within the system http://www.kiamaia.org.nz/about-te-rito.html

The Te Rito Modules are the perfect way to deliver effective and measurable professional development to education professionals in the area of cultural competence.