Day 3: Media

"Creative skills help students become better problem solvers, communicators and collaborators" Apple 2018.

Today's session focused on the create aspect of Maniakalani. A key message was using digital technology as a tool to help hook the students, but not as the be-all-end-all; to explore a variety of ways for students to express their ideas and be creative (to explore and discover).

Encouraging students to become creative and innovative thinkers and problem solvers is something I am passionate about, so to explore new tools from which to develop and share these elements is exciting.

Today's learning:

Today's learning included:

• Creating a YouTube channel and adding a playlist - very useful creating a place to store videos (that can be shared).
• Exploring the use of media (sight, sound, motion) as a learning tool. Inspirational ideas on using film and video to engage learners.
• Google Drawing (create image 'about me' - to the right of my blog, buttons and templates - and using the grey area to add resources that won't show in the final png). I have just started to explore Google Drawing as a teaching and learning tool, so this was very helpful.
• Goolge slides... I have been using Google Slides to share learning to the students and as a tool to access resources. The possiblilites just keep getting better!
• Animations using Google Slides (I could spend hours on this!) and uploading it to our blog...

My notes to help me follow the process...

Thoroughly enjoyed today! 

DFI Day 2: Workflow

• What did I learn that increased my understanding of Manaiakalani kaupapa and pedagogy?

The imagery of a train track highlighted the importance of combining skills with tools: that teachers and learners need to adapt to the digital environment. For teachers, using effective practice that ties in with the changing times and tools available to us helps us relate to and engage our learners. We were also reminded that using digital technology alone isn't enough, that effective practice is key.

I had to remind myself that making mistakes is all part of the learning process...

A few wobbles on the way,
but it is worth it.

                         

• What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow as a professional (and personal life - most of the items shared could be used for personal)? And what could be shared with my learners?

The learning today included:

• Google Meet (setting up and recording online meetings/meets. Using this over lockdown helped set me up, but learning how to record and access that recording was very helpful).
• Google Keep extension (to add notes, transfer large notes to Doc, add images, checklist... an amazing tool, but admittedly, one that I feel I will have to explore before I fully grasp the possibilities. The introduction was an eyeopener).
• Gmail (tidying up and making this workspace more efficient and user friendly. This was a winner. I have thousands of emails that bog down this space. Understanding the archive and filing possibilities was amazing).
• Calendar (clarifying how to use effectively. I feel more confident to use calendar now, both professionaly and personally.)
• Google Task (this one I would have to explore at another time...)
• Taming your Tab (An eyeopener! Different possibilities: OneTab, Toby, Tabsnooze, Workona). I think I'll check out 'Toby' as a start.

The following video was recorded during a Google Meet with a member of my breakout group. It involved looking at a Blog uploaded by a student during the 2020 lockdown. We were asked to look at the teaching design, the responses, and the learner's response. I like that students have the possibility of using this site as a learning diary, personal to their experiences. Next year, we will be using blogs in the classroom (class and individual). It provides a purpose: an audience and the opportunity for feedback from that audience.

Digital Fluency Intensive Day 1: Core Business

 

Day one of the Digital Intensive Fluency (DFI) course - 15 Oct 2021. 

Admittedly, although excited to start the course, I was also apprehensive; unsure of what to expect and if I would keep up. Any doubts were soon washed away as the information was clearly structured and accessable, and the break-out groups provided a comfortable space to ask questions and share ideas.

                                          

In the beginning...

The growth of Maniakalani, developed out of a need to support schools, community, whānau and ākonga faced with socio-economic obstacles, helped clarify it's goals and intentions: Making 21 Century learning accessible; providing engaging, authentic and purposeful learning experiences, encouraging student agency; and raising student achievement. Access to technology and digital fluency is a key factor in achieving this. 

Development as a professional and in my personal life

It's nice to feel oneself capable, it's even better to build and develop that capability and recognise the value of being a learner. Even the simple knowledge of a shortcut (command K to add a link) or how to add a colour to a folder in Drive, all add to achieving things faster, organising better, and building confidence when technology often seems one step ahead. 

Exploring how to use Google Docs creatively and efficiently was extremely helpful, and will create a more positive work and home experience when using Google Docs; less labourious and more engaging. 

For my learners

The tools and shortcuts today will also support my learners. 

The voice typing tool is already used in my classroom to support students with, for example, autism or dyslexia. Voice typing to support reading mileage was a great idea to build upon this. 

Key shortcuts will help learners create more efficiently and help avoid stress. These include: 

To explore using Google Docs creatively to make a poster, or as a visual learning tool, I created a learning page for my ākonga based on Kaitiakitanga and awa: guardianship of our waters. Included were visuals and links to readings, audio, videos and research. Not only is this a great way to share resources and ideas, it is a tool students could use to bring together their ideas/research and share to others.