
<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-1271" src="http://schoolnewsnz.fastrackdev.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/SND12-wk3-Lamguage_App_300x225.jpg" alt="SND12-wk3-Lamguage App 300x225" style="margin: 5px; float: right;" width="300" height="225" />Victoria University of Wellington&#8217;s Faculty of Education has released its second te reo Māori learning app, Puna, which is available for free on the App Store and Google Play.</p>
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<p>The app, developed by staff from Te Kura Māori, which carries out teaching and research related to Māori education, policy, and practice, is â¨a tool for children or those beginning to learn Māori. The first app, Kura, was developed for people with some level of proficiency in the language.</p>
<p>Dr Tabitha McKenzie, a lecturer from Te Kura Māori, says what sets Puna apart from other Māori learning apps on the market is that it can be tailored by the user.</p>
<p>&#8220;There are five modules of study and the learner can tailor each one with the choice of words, flash cards and voice.&#8221;</p>
<p>The words can be grouped into categories of food, living things, body, home, school, places, things that move, marae, clothes, actions and time.</p>
<p>Puna is currently all in te reo; however, there are plans for an English translation.â¨Words can be written out on screen using a finger, with a choice of colour and font.⨠A game can be selected with a number of options for scoring and playing – either one or two players, or competing against the smartphone software.</p>
<p>There are also notes for teachers and parents with audio samples of sentences in which the vocabulary can be used.</p>
<p>&#8220;Puna is an educational, fun and challenging way to learn te reo Māori. Users say it makes them want to learn,&#8221; Dr McKenzie says.</p>

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