RPI Day 7 Reflection

What did I learn that increased my understanding of the kaupapa and pedagogy of the Manaiakalani Reading Programme?

Through the Manaiakalani Reading Programme, I have gained a deeper understanding of how reading and digital literacy work together to prepare students for the future. I learned that the Four C's—critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration—are essential skills that should be embedded in everyday learning. One of my biggest takeaways was the importance of teaching students to think critically about the information they see online. Using Cybersmart lessons such as Smart Media, I have learned how to support students to question whether information is real, reliable, and created for a specific purpose. I also developed a better understanding of how AI and digital technologies are becoming part of students' daily lives, making it essential to teach them how to use these tools safely, responsibly, and ethically. This learning has influenced my teaching by encouraging me to intentionally incorporate opportunities for students to discuss, evaluate, and reflect on digital content, helping them become confident, informed, and responsible digital citizens.

What did I learn that could improve my capability and confidence in teaching reading?

Today's learning deepened my understanding of Bloom's Taxonomy, particularly the importance of developing higher order thinking skills such as analysing, evaluating, and creating. I learned that students need to move beyond literal comprehension and be explicitly taught to interpret, synthesise, and critically analyse texts. This has increased my confidence in planning reading lessons that intentionally develop deeper thinking through modelling, questioning, and discussion.

What did I learn that could be used with my learners? 

I will encourage students to highlight evidence in the text as they analyse and synthesise information to support their ideas. I also want to use images and provocations to develop "reading beyond the lines" by encouraging students to interpret deeper meanings, justify their thinking with evidence, and participate in rich discussions that require reasoning. These strategies will help students become more confident and critical readers.

What did I learn that could be shared within my wider community, with either colleagues, or whanau/aiga? 

I would share the importance of providing regular opportunities for students to engage in higher order thinking rather than focusing only on literal comprehension. Using Bloom's Taxonomy, thought-provoking questions, image analysis, and response-to-text activities can help learners analyse, synthesise, evaluate, and explain their thinking. These approaches can be used both at school and at home to develop thoughtful, independent readers.