Equitable Evaluation of Teacher Preparation to Develop Culturally Sensitive Adaptive Expertise in Collaboration with 21st Century Networked Schools in New Zealand

Abstract

Research and evaluation of initial teacher preparation aims to inform Ministries and teacher educators worldwide on the importance of quality preparation in collaboration with schools for equitable outcomes. The New Zealand Ministry of Education is funding innovative pilot programs from 2014-2017 that will develop and research new approaches to develop teachers with adaptive expertise in networked learning environments so they respond to the needs of all learners including identified priority groups (Indigenous, Pacifika and special needs). Inclusive evaluation methodology is under development, in which the overarching approach is informed by the indigenous world views of Kaupapa Māori and seeks critical feedback. The blended online teaching that incorporates strengths-based problem solving provides both opportunities and challenges for this research.