Aotearoa Awakened: Unveiling Authentic Learning through ANZH in Te Mātaiaho

 

Over the past few months, I have had the privilege of facilitating several engaging and authentic learning experiences for ākonga (students), connecting their projects to the rich tapestry of Aotearoa New Zealand's histories (ANZH) within Te Mātaiaho. These projects not only fostered a deep understanding of the ANZH, but also integrated seamlessly into the refreshed Te ao tangata, social sciences learning area, and the wider framework of the New Zealand curriculum.

Project 1: Designing a Tāonga Necklace with Tinkercad and QR Codes

In the first project, ākonga embarked on a captivating journey of designing tāonga necklaces using the 3D design web app called Tinkercad. They unleashed their creativity and honed their digital design skills to create unique and meaningful tāonga. Once their designs were 3D printed, the ākonga beautifully painted a portrait and attached their tāonga, accompanied by a distinctive QR code. They further enriched their creations by recording audio, sharing either their pepeha or the reasoning behind their design choices. This project not only embraced design and engineering principles but also deepened their connection to Māori culture and identity.

 

Resources used: Tinkercad, Makerbot Replicator+ 5th Generation 3D printer, Vocaroo, and QR Code Monkey

Project 2: Retelling Māori Pūrākau through Minecraft Education and Stop Motion Animation

In the second project, ākonga dived into the mesmerizing world of Māori storytelling, known as pūrākau. Using Minecraft Education, they embarked on a journey to retell the captivating tale of The Creation of Tuna'. Through this digital medium, they masterfully crafted their own interpretation of the pūrākau, documenting their adventures using the camera and portfolio tools within Minecraft Education. Additionally, younger ākonga engaged in the same pūrākau, expressing their creativity through stop motion animation using plasticine. These projects provided a unique blend of digital technology and cultural storytelling, fostering a deep connection to Māori traditions.

Resources used: Minecraft Education App (we used Ngā Motu ME world with ‘allow’ ‘structure’ blocks for the build area), Stop Motion Studio App

Project 3: Interactive Matariki Star Cluster with Scratch Jr

In the third learning opportunity, students delved into the celestial wonders of Matariki, the Māori New Year. Using the app Scratch Jr, they harnessed their coding skills to create an interactive Matariki star cluster. Each star was meticulously named, and ākonga designed an engaging project that allowed users to tap and learn the significance of each star. Through this project, ākonga not only explored digital technology but also embraced the cultural significance of Matariki, strengthening their understanding of Te Ao Māori.

Resources used: Scratch Jr App, Matariki Star Cluster Scratch Jr Activity

These authentic learning opportunities, firmly rooted in the ANZH and integrated into Te Mātaiaho and the refreshed New Zealand curriculum, have provided students with profound educational experiences. By linking learning to curriculum, embracing inquiry-based approaches, and exploring design and engineering principles, students have forged deeper connections with their own cultural identity and the wider world around them. As we continue this journey, we are excited to uncover more authentic learning adventures that empower our students and enrich their educational journey.