New Pedagogies of Deep Learning (NPDL) is a global collaboration of more than 1,400 schools in seven countries who are seeking ways to transform teaching and learning approaches that will facilitate deep learning. A key tenet of NPDL is that effective education is about building good humans and actively engaged members of society, as well as academic success.

CORE Education leads the NPDL mahi in Aotearoa in early learning settings, schools, clusters and Kāhui Ako. This work allows us to see the value of emphasising competencies, relationships and meaningful social action as the central focus of curriculum design.

This blog looks at:

• the importance of learning partnerships at home
• teachers as activators, culture builders and collaborators
• the principles of effective learning design.

Learning partnerships at home

Learning partnerships are a cornerstone of NPDL. Across the globe NPDL teachers collaborate and share pedagogical strategies which support quality deep learning. Learning outcomes are deepened if relationships are strong in the classroom, staffroom and across the whole learning community.

In recent months, the NPDL global team has shared deep learning moments called Deep Learning Partnerships @Home. This series highlights how ākonga can engage with the six Global Competencies (character, collaboration, creativity, citizenship, communication and critical thinking) while learning at home.

Emma Ritzema-Bain, NPDL school leader at Hillpark School, Auckland, brought this to life in her setting where she actively promoted a family focus on collaboration, communication and citizenship in her distance learning programme during lockdown. Making dinner together, checking on neighbours, donating to food banks, connecting to friends and family online support growing at learning at home. This learning opportunity gave ākonga agency, and encouraged both choice and voice. A number of the activities Emma shared also encourage use of the six Cs.

Teachers as activators, culture builders and collaborators

A recent global webinar from NPDL Director Joanne Quinn, challenged educators to think about:

• How to thrive, not just survive
• Learning design that engages
• Educators as activators, culture builders and collaborators
• Deep learning moments

Joanne shared a model positioning teachers as activators, culture builders and collaborators which can apply to engaging with ākonga face to face or via distance learning.

Key tips from the model

Activator

• Let your ākonga know everyone, including teachers and whānau are learners.
• Encourage co-construction of success criteria.

Culture builder

• Schedule optional friendly check-in times. Seek feedback – what’s working/what’s not?
• Seek student voice by inviting them to co-design and contribute ideas, projects and approaches

Collaborator

• Create an accessible hub (examples include Google site, Facebook page) where ākonga and whānau can find all learning materials
• Tap into student collaboration and creativity in their learning. Support play not just ‘tasks’.

The principles of learning design

In NPDL quality learning design encourages us to think about:

• effective pedagogical practices – e.g., ensuring regular specific feedback is given
• strong learning partnerships – e.g., between educators, ākonga and whānau
• quality learning environments – e.g., creating an environment which supports a positive culture for learning
• leveraging digital to scaffold and deepen the learning – e.g., using Seesaw to share examples of learning products, scaffold the task, or challenges.

Educators apply these key elements when planning deep learning opportunities. Equally, this applies for teachers as learners!

Professional development also needs quality learning design to be effective and support deep learning. A Deep Learning Lab (DLL) is a way to explore the ideas in the NPDL model. The lab gives educators in Aotearoa an opportunity to engage with global partners and share thinking. Traditionally the lab is face-to-face, but this year we are delighted to let you know that we have designed our first virtual event, and that registrations are now open!

Come to a virtual Deep Learning Lab!

Redesigning a DLL from what has been a face-to-face, to a virtual event provides opportunities and flexibility for educators to engage differently.

Over two days our international keynote speakers, Dr Jean Clinton and Mag Gardner, will weave together the key themes of wellbeing and deep learning. This supports the understanding of how relationships are the glue that binds them together to ensure deep learning and human outcomes for learning programmes.

The virtual Deep Learning Lab, which runs over July 16-17, is also an excellent chance to learn from and collaborate with global experts, and investigate ways we can improve outcomes for learners.

We welcome both New Pedagogies for Deep Learning (NPDL) members and anyone who is interested in finding out more about deep learning.

The virtual Deep Learning Lab experience offers:

• An interactive online programme enabling participants to create a personalised ‘map’ of their learning journey during the lab.
• Live and on-demand sessions so participants can engage with a professional online community with access to all lab resources.
• Opportunities to have participation recognised through a gamified approach and digital badges.
• Keynotes from Dr Jean Clinton (Clinical Professor of Neurosciences, child psychiatrist) and Mag Gardner (NPDL Global Leader) – with opportunities to connect with them online rather than simply ‘sit and listen’.
• Interactive sessions where educators from Aotearoa and around the world will be able to connect, collaborate, and explore deep learning together.

Dr Jean Clinton, encourages teachers to “Reach out and Connect”, so come join our virtual Deep Learning Lab to connect with our NPDL network!