Presentation on TLIF Project – ‘Connecting the Dots’

TLIF Project – Connecting the Dots, presented by Ben Lau
When: 4pm, Thursday 25 October
Where: Newlands College, 68 Brackens Rd, Newlands
RSVP: blau@newlands.school.nz

‘Connecting the Dots’ Executive Summary:
This inquiry project is about how teachers can utilize the concepts of Ako and Tuakana Teina with the principles of El Sistema to raise educational outcomes for Maori learners and the specific teaching methods that will help develop skill acquisition that will raise achievement.

We have spent the past three years developing a Year 9 Music programme inspired by the principles of El Sistema (a music education approach that is focused on positive social change through music ensemble, particularly orchestral, playing) with some success. However, our focus has been aimed more at getting the programme off the ground and developing a culture and approach. There has been little focus placed on investigating more closely what the individual learner’s experience is and what the potential progression pathways are.

In this project, we are investigating ways to develop more collaborative and student-centred practices and to inquire more deeply into how these approaches actually enhance educational outcomes for our Maori learners. Will the incorporation of the concepts of ako and tuakana-teina relationships with the principles of El Sistema have a positive impact on Maori students’ achievement and how can our findings inform the wider curriculum?