Education Technology in the Early Grades: What School Could Be in Hawai’i

JR
Josh Reppun
Jan 28, 2020
Amber Makaiau deliberative pedagogy developmental education early education early grades edtech education elementary school Hanahau'oli School Josh Reppun Podcast primary school What School Could Be in Hawai'i

When is it too early to immerse young kids in the great ethical, moral, political and cultural issues of technology? When is it too early to talk about, and deal with artificial intelligence, facial recognition, big data gathering, streaming content and all the critical technology issues of this 21st century?

According to Dr. Amber Makaiau, it is never too early. At Hanahau’oli School, a small, progressive independent school on Oahu in Hawaiʻi, these questions and many more are squarely on the table. Listen as Dr. Makaiau, Hanahau’oli’s Professional Development Center Director, discusses progressive education in the context of education technology and elementary school on this episode of What School Could Be in Hawai’i.

Dr. Makaiau is also currently the Director of Curriculum and Research at the University of Hawai‘i Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education. For over ten years, she taught secondary social studies in the Hawaii State Department of Education. Her achievements include, National Board Certification in 2006, the Hawaii International Education Week – Honolulu Advertiser 2004 Outstanding Global Educator Award, the Oceanic Outstanding Educator Award in 2005, and the 2011 Teaching Tolerance Award for Excellence in Culturally Responsive Teaching.

Her current projects include a brand new secondary level Philosophical Inquiry course, developing the emerging field of deliberative pedagogy, and a new approach to research ethics education. Dr. Makaiau enjoys speaking, writing, engaging in intellectually safe communities of inquiry, and advocating for the betterment of education in Hawaii and beyond.

You can also find the full episode at MLTSinHawaii.com.

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