DFI Fourth Blog Post

Kia ora koutou,

Today's learning was all about dealing with data including forms, spreadsheets and maps.

We began by going into our Digital Bubbles and discussed what did and didn't work well from what we had learnt in last week's session. No-one had any problems but the common theme was needing to spend more time practising things newly learnt. I reflected on how I'm becoming more confident using Slides and Draw.

Next we focused on the 'Share/Tohatoha' aspect of the Manaiakalani Pedagogy including how 

working with learners to establish an authentic audience for their learning outcomes is a key component of Manaiakalani's pedagogy. Obviously the concept of sharing is an age-old concept which continues today but the main difference with today's sharing is that it can be easily be done globally. 

Manaiakalani chose Blogger as its platform to share for several reasons, including that it provides the opportunity to share with an authentic audience as well as being an effective way to learn.

We then had a quick 'Hapara Hot Tips' session. During this I learnt how to use the search function, set up groups, list alphabetically and how to click and drag to put students' names in a different order. I can already use Hapara adequately but these tips are going to come in handy.

Next we focused on creating Google Forms. I actually had a play with this a couple of weeks ago and created my first form as a survey for my Homeroom class. There was much information in today's session, which moved at a fast pace, so I'm going to have to 're-wind' to learn more skills!

We then went to our 'bubbles' and completed a form, including uploading a photo. We also created a form with five different question types and shared this via a hyperlink.

We then had a 'deep dive' looking into using Google My Maps after which we moved back to our 'bubbles' to create our own map: as well as importing spreadsheet information to a map. I can see how this tool will be a fun learning tool in the classroom!

After this we imported information from a spreadsheet which looked like this:



I have used this fun tool in the classroom in the past but I can see how being more proficient at using it will add more depth for learning in the classroom.

Next we had a 'deep dive' looking at some features of sheets that are useful for school. This session contained much information and went at a rapid pace so I'm going to have to 're-wind' this session as well. I know a little about using sheets but learning a lot more is going to make the admin side of things much more efficient!

We then had a play with sheets including creating averages and graphs:
Class Test Data
This is going to be a valuable tool to use in evaluating student progress and areas of concern.

Our next focus session was on analysing data from a students' blogs. Under the 'Stats' section of Blogger there is all sorts of useful information pertaining to the blogs.

Next we went to our 'bubbles' to add data from a student blog to a sheet:


We finished off the day by looking at some blogging tips including how to add labels.

It's been another fun and informative day with a substantial amount of information to process. Thank goodness for rewindable learning!

Ka kite ano,

Sean.

DFI Third Blog Post 2020

Digital Fluency Intensive Day 3: 'Media'.


Kia ora koutou,

Kia ora koutou,

Today's session was all about media.

We began by going into our Digital Bubbles and discussed what did and didn't work well from what we had learnt in last week's session. No-one had any problems and it was great to hear what everyone's favourite new 'digital things' were.

Next we focused on the 'Create' aspect of the Manaiakalani Pedagogy, which is of course at the heart of this pedagogy.This was fascinating to me as it we were exploring the concept of creating and creativity which are at the core of my teaching philosophy. I believe somewhere along the way, here in Aotearoa/NZ, we have drifted away from what used to be at the centre of our education system-the idea that children's creativity should be both valued and encouraged and that they learn best when creating.

We were given a link to a very interesting site: The Lifelong Kindergarten Group, whose ultimate goal is: '...a world full of playfully creative  people, who are constantly inventing new possibilities for themselves and their communities'. This site has a wealth of resources and information relating to creativity.

We then looked at the Principal of Hornby High School, Robin Sutton's oft updated blog which focuses on creativity. This Blog is comprehensive and well worth accessing (on a regular basis).

Next we explored YouTube. We looked at how to set up a YouTube Channel, how to create a playlist and the procedures and protocols we should be aware of. We also explored live-streaming on YouTube, a tool with obvious great possibilities but also one to be extremely careful when using. After this we went back to our 'bubbles' and had a play on our YouTube channels.

Our next session focused on Google Draw-a wonderful tool for both teachers and students which has endless creative possibilities. We then returned to our 'bubbles' to play with adding Google Drawing, gadgets and links to our blogs. 

I created this simple display on Google Draw and it is an example of how easy and effective it is for students to use this extension to present their work:

Next we focused on Google Slides. We went through the fundamentals of creating effective slides as well as how to use them foe a presentation. I love this extension and recently have been doing my weekly planning on it both for students in class and at home. I simply put the slideshow onto my Google Class Site and we're all set up for the week. 

We then went back to our 'bubbles' to further explore Google Slides. We looked at several examples from teachers and students and they effectively showed the variety of uses that Slides has. I am particularly keen on the animation option for students who struggle with writing as it gives them a wonderful opportunity to express themselves creatively. I still have much to learn about how to use Slides and am looking forward to increasing my knowledge in this area. 

Next we had a focus session on use of drones. They are an amazing piece of technology which my College, Ōtaki College, uses effectively on a regular basis. 

We then returned to the main group where we got to choose a topic which wanted to learn more about. I chose slides and joined that tutor group. I learnt more about animation as well as how to choose a slide template and how to use a transparent background for images.

We were then given another choice about an activity we wanted to learn more about and I chose the 'Digital Pepeha' option. I had fun creating mine (which is at the bottom of this page) and it is an exercise I am keen to use with my students at the start of each year as it is an excellent way of everyone connecting with each other. 

We ended the day learning about some of the finer details of creating a Blog. This included how to change the language and time settings as well as three ways to check the comments that have been made on students' blogs. 

It has been another enjoyable, inspirational and informative day here on the DFI course and once again I'm looking forward to learning more next week.

Ka kite ano,

Sean. 

DFI Second Blog Post 2020

Digital Fluency Intensive Day 2: 'Workflow'.
                                                                   

Kia ora koutou,

Today's session was all about making one's workflow more efficient and thus more productive.

We began by going into our Digital Bubbles and discussed what did and didn't work well from what we had learnt in last week's session.

Next we learnt about connecting with Manaiakalni and how important it is to have a shared language. We then focused on the learning aspect of the learn/create/share Manaiakalni motto, including the concept of 'Ako', meaning teaching and learning are reciprocal. We learnt how the Manaiakalni Kaupapa and pedagogy embraces the idea of analogue and digital learning being used side by side, with effective teaching practise being at the core of these. The acronym RATE was then used to explain the ideal learning construct: Recognising effective practise, Amplify effective practise (by harnessing technology), Turbocharge effective practise (by redefining and modifying tasks), Effective practise(the resultant combination). The advantages of rewindable learning were then discussed-obviously a major tool for teachers and students.

We then learnt about managing our workflow with Google Meet and were introduced to the basics of how this works. Next we joined our Digital Bubble to further explore this tool. We all found a Google map of a favourite place and a YouTube video of a favourite song and shared these on our screens for everyone to see. 

Our next topic was Google Keep. There was a lot of information to process and I'll have to put rewindable learning into practise and revisit the slideshow. I did, however add the extension to my phone and school account so I'm good to go. It seems like an excellent tool for organising as well as for several other uses.

This was followed by and introduction to the main features of Gmail. I was familiar with most of these but I learnt how to schedule a time to send a message, how to 'snooze' an email and how to add signatures. 

We then went to our Digital Bubble and had a play with taming our Gmails. I changed the 'undo send email' time setting to 10 seconds. I attempted to add a couple of signatures (a personal one and a teacher one), but will need to do this once I've changed my keyboard to the NZ/Maori option.

We were then introduced to Google Calendar From there we went to our Digital Bubbles where we put our learning into practise by taming our calendars. I changed date the set up, changed the colours of reminders, cleaned up a few things, and learnt that clicking on the day makes it full screen with every hour specified. 

Our next session was looking at ways to efficiently manage and keep track of your tabs. I'm happy with my current tabs system but I did install the extension 'The Great Suspender' and gave it a whirl. I didn’t like it as takes too long to re-awaken a window which defeats the purpose of me having them open in the first place, so I deleted it. 

Next, in our Digital Bubbles we got into pairs, set up meetings on Meets, recorded the meetings, presented our screens of someone's Blog post, discussed what the teaching was behind the post, what the learner's response was, who responded to the post and how this supported the learning experience or contributed to the learning of the child. 

 We then learnt how to embed the video into our Blog (which is at the bottom of this Blog). 

As with Day 1 of this course, I have learnt much! It was great to get clarification of how Manaiakalani's Kaupapa and pedagogy can be put into practise alongside analogue methods. The rest of the topics we covered have indeed made me feel more confident in incorporating even more digital organising, teaching and learning into my teaching practise.



I'm looking forward to round 3 of this course and learning even more digital wonders!


Ka kite ano.

DFI First Blog Post 2020

DFI Eighth Blog Post

Kia ora koutou,

Today's learning was all about  Computational Thinking. 

We began the day with going to our bubbles and discussed what did and didn't work well from last week's learning. It was heartening to hear everyone is feeling much more digitally fluent! I reflected on how I'm feeling more confident with Chromebook shortcuts and and how my students are now getting into the routine of using our class site.

Next we looked at the kaupapa of empowerment which is about the advancing of Rangatiratanga- and their taking back control of their lives. The use of technology enables students to enter and explore new learning environments which is obviously empowering!

We then had an in depth look at computational thinking. This included the concepts of being digitally fluent and capable, how computational thinking can be applied to different technology strands, the difference between computational thinking and designing and developing digital outcomes, and digital technology and computational thinking progress outcomes. Manaiakalani is currently in the process of mapping the Cybersmart curriculum to the new Digital technologies Curriculum. 

After a break we were given an introduction to the future of technology and what it means to our tamariki. This was fascinating and included an overview of exciting new innovations and technologies. We then considered how the ethics and morals associated with new innovations and technologies must be considered-thought-provoking to say the least! We then looked at different scenarios related to 'driver-less' cars which was a great example of the ethics and morals intrinsically linked to new innovations and technologies. 

We then went to our 'bubbles' and explores some sites related to the the new digital technologies curriculum.

After that we were given some background to our upcoming exam, including registration for it. 

Next we explored opportunities for us to give coding a go or extending our current knowledge. I had a play with 'Scratch', the cat. My students will love this, as well as the many of the other coding options. This is a great site  free, short coding courses.

We then chose a breakout group to create a task and I chose 'Mihi Maker'. It's a fun little game that animates your Pepeha! You can make the dude walk by pressing the right arrow on your keyboard, or hold the arrow down to make him run. Of course the up arrow makes him jump if you're in the mood for a bit of leaping.Here it is:





We finished the day by with some blogging tips which included a blog checklist and how to share your blog on social media. 

It's been another productive/informative day here on the DFI course, my favourite parts being the 'Mihi Maker' (which I'll be using with my class) and thinking about the ethics and morals in regards to new innovations and technologies. 

Ka kite anō,

Sean.