Michael Pohl Seminar

Kia ora,

I refer to our day at Coley Street on the 11th Sept. 2008 with Michael Pohl. A wonderful opportunity to meet and then work with such a notable educational practioner. Thoroughly enjoyed his manner and the way he comminicated with us. This was highlighted by the fact that he wasn't promoting his beliefs as " the one and only way" but presented his ideas as one of many that educationalists could grasp. Having said that, his focus on Blooms Taxonomy suggests that he thinks this is the most powerful tool.

My first impression of the presentation was that it served to remind me of the many number of models that could be adopted in order to enhance the skill of thinking in the learning process. It took me back to my teacher's college days when many of these models were introduced and covered in depth. For me, they are all saying the same thing, only in differeent words. Learning is far more greatly enhanced if we actually do more in our minds with the information that unfolds.

I was very interested in his schoolwide thinking model whereby a number of different tools be used at diferent ages acroos a school. For a school that is still grappling to introduce one model effectively I didn't see us pursuing something like this for a while yet.

Disapppointed not to see the model we have adopted,ie SOLO taxonomy,metioned in the programme. We have made the committment to implementthis at our school in the first instance and although not promoted in the day, we are happy this is taking us where we want to go for now.

I once again feel privileged to have been part of this day and had exposure to an educational guru.

Neil Hirini