Teaching blog reflections - 2015 NCEA L1 results

1. REFLECTIONS ON 2015 RESULTS
 My results across the board for Level 1 NCEA last year were fairly comparable with the
national data except when it came to excellences. I always had more achieved and no
excellences.
 My results for Level 1 Media Studies class were overall a lot better than my Level 1 English
class. My class achieved results that were either at the same level or better than the
national and decile 9 statistics. My students achieved more merits and excellences than
the national average.
GOALS FOR 2016
IN THE CLASSROOM
 In 2016 my goal is for my class results to be more reflective of the Decile 9 averages and to
achieve more excellences.
MAIN STRATEGY: 50/50, Teacher Conferencing & Feedback
Key reflections from last year regarding what worked and what didn‟t were:
1. Students only enjoy PBL, Matrix activities work and “higher level” thinking tasks IF they can
see the value in it for their assessments
2. Students appreciate independence and not having a teacher hovering over them all the
time, BUT they need continual and consistent check-ups and feedback. My results last year
improved a lot for “Connections” because I had them working in google documents where
I could see what they were doing and provide „real-time‟ and specific feedback.
Therefore this year:
a) I have simplified much of my in class work. I am still differentiating the tasks, incorporating
Solo Taxonomy, flipping the classroom and giving them choice, but I am aiming for quality
over quantity. I want them to have adequate time to process information and plenty of
time to work on their actual assessments. I also want time to be able to spend time giving
individuals feedback
b) Each lesson I will aim to do a 50/50 split – for the first half I will be actively moving around
the classroom checking in with each student at least once to see where they are at, check
for understanding etc.
c) Every week I will have at least one more detailed teacher-conference with each student to
view their work and give feedback. This will help them to make connections between their
in class work and their final assessment, as well as provide important feedback and feed
forward throughout the process.

2. BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
 I would like to become involved in assisting with PD. I missed the opportunity to apply to
officially be a part of the PD team, however I will be looking for informal opportunities to
help out and hopefully my contribution in this realm can grow from there
 I also would like to be active about exploring and reflecting on the effectiveness and
dynamics of the “Modern Learning Environment” furniture I have in my classroom.
 To build inter-departmentmental professional relationships within the school
LEVEL 1 ENGLISH RESULTS
Static Image

3. Creative Writing
Connections

4. Written Text (Ext)
Visual Text (Ext)

5. Unfamiliar Text (Ext)
LEVEL 1 MEDIA RESULTS
1.1 Demonstrate how people interact and use media

6. 1.2 Close Reading
1.3 Media Coverage of an Issue/Event

7. 1.5 Plan a Music Video
1.6 Produce a Music Video