Today I have asked to speak to our senior students about how we might better use the new spaces in our building to enhance our learning, friendships and online presence, the building is rich in access to digital technologies.
When using different spaces for learning and gradually releasing the responsibility for the effective use of time and space to students we still need to equip them with the skills and values. With some freedom to use different spaces comes the opportunity for some students to lose focus [despite their individual goals] wander, distract others or even bully them through exclusion or hurtful language. In our digital age some of this language can be direct or indirect through the internet or texting service.
My task was to remind the students of our values and goals, affirm the sorts of langauge and empathy we expect and set some challenges for the future. The year 6 students have a challenge of preparing themselves for some of the learning and social challenges of secondary school and the year 5 students have the challenges of 15 months of leadership in the primary school.
The clip [Talent Quest] really brought home the point on the need to replace our language away from judgements about people and more to inclusive and affirming language. All agreed with the goals and expectations and made commitments to improve their choices or seek further teacher direction.
