South Waikato News

Alternativ­e Learning Introduced

- TAMARA THORN

Forest View High School has started an alternativ­e learning programme targeting intermedia­te and year 10 students..

The programme is set to move away from traditiona­l learning and focus more on future learning where 19 teams of four to five students take responsibi­lity for their own learning.

Head of Physical Education and sport and project leader of sport and education, Martin Ash, said the project is a learning enquiry about developing a Lions supporters package for the Lions vs All Blacks games.

‘‘Its about engaging kids and making learning fun,’’ he said ‘‘the kids are in charge of their learning.’’

Over three days the students will create a supporters package including itinerary, using market and budgeting skills and teamwork.

Teams were formed based on different individual skills to bring the best outcome for each group.

Each team chose a target audience and a budget to stick to in order to complete their 35 day package.

‘‘It will be good to see the end product in just a few days instead of taking a whole team to complete.’’ Olivia Macpherson

‘‘You use knowledge of every subjects and background­s,’’ he said, ‘‘they [students] put into action everything they have learnt in class.’’ ‘‘Its about being creative and inventive.’’ Ash said it is innovative learning, allowing the students to research and find solutions rather then a teacher giving students directions and answers. ‘‘Its about critically thinking.’’ Forest view student Olivia Macpherson said it’s interestin­g being in a different learning environmen­t, but said ‘‘It will be good to see the end product in just a few days instead of taking a whole team to complete.’’

Ash said ‘‘We are targeting the junior school, getting them in while they are young an getting them used to this style of teaching.

On the last day parents and caregivers attend the reveal of completed packages which students had try and sell their idea to their target audience.

Prizes were given out for the top selling packages, with parents and caregivers choosing the winners.

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