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awhi_world [2008-07-05 23:19] – created 122.57.196.236 | awhi_world [2008-12-18 20:36] – 118.93.164.11 | ||
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A parallel universe uncovered through transdisciplinary facilitation, | A parallel universe uncovered through transdisciplinary facilitation, | ||
- | Primary Location: | + | Primary Location: |
+ | http:// | ||
+ | Interstitial Coordinator: | ||
- | Background: | + | **Background:** |
- | West Papakura is a economically deprived area populated by indigenous maori, pacific island, and migrant groups. It has recently warranted special focus by police and civic authorities due to high rates of criminal activity (drug houses and labs, gang violence, truancy, tagging, theft etc). Initial entry into the area came via the local community constable who needed some community development consultation and expertise. He and his colleagues had initiated the Awhiwraparound Project, an experimental initiative where 11 streets in a square block are given a dedicated police presence and community centre. | + | East Papakura is a economically deprived area populated by indigenous maori, pacific island, and migrant groups. It has recently warranted special focus by police and civic authorities due to high rates of criminal activity (drug houses and labs, gang violence, truancy, tagging, theft etc). Initial entry into the area came via the local community constable who needed some community development consultation and expertise. He and his colleagues had initiated the Awhiwraparound Project, an experimental initiative where 11 streets in a square block are given a dedicated police presence and community centre. |
- | In this socially deprived area the physical, digital and imaginal realms have been deactivated and disconnected. There are large tracts of land that are underutilised and abandoned: A set of 6 netball courts that have not been used for ten years, and TeKoiwi | + | In this socially deprived area the physical, digital and imaginal realms have been deactivated and disconnected. There are large tracts of land that are underutilised and abandoned: A set of 6 netball courts that have not been used for ten years, and Te Koiwi Park which is an ancient spring/ |
- | Discovering Awhi | + | There are also large areas of potential, with the local primary school forming a strong positive influence on the surrounding community. |
- | While working on the Awhiwraparound project it became clear that a parallel world existed waiting to be uncovered. We named this alternate reality Awhiworld, with ' | + | There is also a strong community spirit flowing throughout |
+ | **Discovering Awhi** | ||
+ | While working on the Awhiwraparound project it became clear through a number of peripheral conversations, | ||
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+ | Discovery is only recent, but already interworld activity is taking place. | ||
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+ | It seems as if Awhiworld (as we have named it) is a thriving interstitial realm inhabited by hybrid creatures and structures connected through imaginal doodlings and daydreams, digital meanderings and ungenreable physical artefacts and activities. Children and young adults seem most able to engage with Awhiworld, and given the importance of this discovery, we aim to work mainly with this group (together with local Kaumatua/ | ||
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+ | As part of uncovering Awhi, varous portals need to be reactivated in order to more deeply understand their purpose and power. | ||
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+ | The secret nature of the world means that information appears only in fragments, and mysterious clues. | ||
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+ | **Record of Awhiworld Activities** | ||
+ | {{: | ||
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+ | [For reasons of confidentiality some information needs to stay offline and be provided as appendices to final research report.] | ||
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+ | ** June/July 2008** | ||
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+ | * Meeting with [ ]Primary School teachers to meta-plan Awhiworld uncovery project. | ||
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+ | * Alternative Education Students from CEAT Ltd put together music visual exploration of Smiths Avenue Netball Courts. | ||
+ | August 2008 | ||
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+ | * Teachers create systematic and detailed lesson plans based around AwhiWorld concept (to be added). Plans for unveiling of world begin in earnest. Expected launch date 25 August 08.[[http:// | ||
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+ | **August 08** | ||
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+ | 25 August 2008: | ||
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+ | 8.55am | ||
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+ | 9.05 am - police car enters school grounds, policeman in full riot ensemble enters hall to present message to teachers. | ||
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+ | //"I am from the Patupaiarehe iwi of Pukekiwiriki. | ||
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+ | You must know that you are about to begin a journey of discovery. | ||
+ | [sound sample is available] | ||
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+ | 9.15 am teachers rush students to classrooms where messages have been hidden in special boxes somewhere in the classroom. | ||
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+ | Review meeting Teachers update as to activities thus far. Several have introduced a special powerpoint story made up for this programme and based on an old Maori myth of the area. [insert powerpoint]. All teachers are asking students to write or draw about a future earth that is now not able to support life due to current activities. Notes and feedback available in detailed form offline. | ||
+ | September 2008 | ||
+ | |||
+ | **September 08** | ||
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+ | Second review meeting - detailed notes to be provided offline. Generally teachers are doing a lot of visual work with the students. Reading particular books and introducing ideas of portals and gatekeepers.Comments are that it is hard to sometimes grasp the concepts but that once grasped the students get really into it..particularly the boys who are enjoying making connections between their on-line game environments and the material in the classroom. [[http:// | ||
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+ | 9/9: Forensic examination of portals was undertaken with assistance by Raewyn Turner (prominent NZ mixed media artist). Presentation started the proceedings. Then students were encouraged to look at their surroundings and work in small groups to investigate anomalous phenomena. This material will then become the focus for story production and writing. | ||
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+ | **November** | ||
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+ | Gatekeepers and guardians were introduced by Raewyn and Maggie. When asked what portals were the children said: "they take you back in time", "they take you to another dimension", | ||
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+ | **December** | ||
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+ | Awhiworld rests quietly over the summer season while schools are out. Two new guardians sit in the garden watching over the portals. [[http:// | ||
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+ | **Overall Results** | ||
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+ | Teachers comments: | ||
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+ | "Great for boys to keep them engaged" | ||
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+ | My comments: | ||
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+ | * Digital component of Awhiworld was unable to be explored due to poor ICT capability but this will change next year. | ||
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+ | * Constantly felt like I needed more time and that I needed to be in the school more to support..but noticed that I kept arriving at the school after an absence of a week or so and would see a tremendous amount of work done in a short space of time without any input whatsover. | ||
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+ | * Concept of Gatekeepers/ | ||
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+ | * Too many ideas and not enough resources. | ||
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+ | * Give that was the case the project was a successful experiment in so far as it developed the teachers and pushed them to extend their learning and practice. It also introduced children to different ways of learning maths, science, social science and english making links between some of their leisure activities and learning. | ||
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