DFI - Day 4

 Kia Ora,

This was Day 4 of DFI Cohort 1 2022. We focussed on the pedagogy of 'Share' and Dealing with Data.

Akohia/Learn:

I shared that I have embraced the idea of 'Create' to promote student agency in learning. This week, I taught multiplication and my students used Explain Everything to create a response to the math task. They also blogged their work. Here is an example:

First, we learned about the third pillar of the model, 'Share'. The main point I took from this was that sharing is about working with learners to establish an authentic audience for their learning outcomes, sharing is about connecting and sharing needs to have a purpose. 

Then, we completed a Google Form and created a Form independently. I made a 'Class Survey' for Room 4.

Later, we created a MyMap. I made a map of several Auckland Beaches I have visited and added photos, as well.

Afterwards, we dived into Google Sheets and levelled up our knowledge and skills. This was particularly useful for me, as previously, I had not had substantive experience with the application. 

Hanga/Create:

During this time I was able to make meaning of the content by creating with Sheets. I decided to analyse the data of a student from Panmure Bridge School. The data concerned the frequency of blog posts over a 5 year period from 2017 to 2021.

                   

Here are the results!

Tohatoha/Share:

Lastly, we 'Shared' our learning. We focussed on embedding and rewinding the content we had created through our blogs.

And, by reflecting upon this blog, I have answered a couple of questions.

What have I learned that has helped increase my understanding of the Manaiakalani kaupapa and pedagogy?

I have learned how the 'Share' part of the model is essential to building relationships and connecting with other people, sharing is not just a Manaiakalani thing - it's a human thing- and that we have always done this since time began. 

What have I learned that can be used with my learners?

I have learned how to utilise Google Sheets and create a spreadsheet using an authentic data set. I could teach my students how to make their own Google spreadsheets using a data set (e.g;. the number of times they have finished and blogged on edublog)

Mā te wā.

DFI - Day 3

Kia Ora,

This was the third day of DFI for Term 2. Today we focussed on Media and the pedagogy of 'Create'.

For the morning reflection I shared that I have benefited from using Google Docs to improve my Workflow. I have been able to achieve increased efficiencies in my professional workflow using Docs and Explain Everything so that my students complete learning tasks on their devices, and doubly by using their creative skills.

Akohia/Learn:

Next, we had a Meet that focussed on 'Create'. Dorothy shared several important ideas for us to think about for amplifying the creativity of our teacher practices.

There were several ideas to consider, but the one I thought aligned well with 'Create' was that 'creativity focusses on the process of forming original ideas through exploration and discovery'. I like the idea in this quote, as I think that student creativity and the formation of their own ideas is highly important, and should be well valued. For me, achieving this using iPad devices is something I am seeing the value of more and more this year, as my students are able to confidently 'Create' and demonstrate what they know about particular topics, such when they learn about 'The Water Cycle' in Inquiry.

We were also challenged to think how we 'Create' in our own lives. For me, I have been creating and maintaining a garden at home, which has a planting of native shrubs, ferns, and trees, and a kitchen garden. Previously, I had never grown or harvested a single vegetable or fruit. Having valued my own creativity and ideas, this personal development has been highly useful for understanding the benefit it has for my students in the classroom. 

Afterwards, we deep dived into Media. There are many ways I can embrace media and technology such as through Live Streaming, the Film Festival, or Podcasts, and all accessed or created on our cellphones, or iPads. I'm looking forward to using technology more effectively this year for my entry for the film festival.

Lastly, we looked at Google Slides. There are some cool new ways we can use these tools to make student learning more fun and engaging. In Room 4, I have been constantly creating, reviewing, and adapting my math and reading slides to make them more usable and understandable for my learners in ways that show visible learning and progress through the curriculum.

Hanga/Create:

For 'Create' we had time to use our creativity using Slides. I decided to join Vicki's group to create a 'game-show-style review' game. I used Slides to create a game in the style and format of 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?'

Lastly, we 'Shared' our learning. We focussed on embedding and rewinding the content we had created through our blogs, which can be seen above for my future reference, if needed.

Lastly, in reflecting upon this blog, I have answered a couple of questions.

What have I learned that has helped increase my understanding of the Manaiakalani kaupapa and pedagogy?

I have learned how the 'Create' part of the model is at the 'heART' of the matter, that creativity really does empower learners, and that we as teachers should also take our creativity seriously in order to amplify student progress and achievement.

What have I learned that can be used with my learners?

I have learned how to better utilise the functions of Google Slides, have found efficiencies in my professional workflow, and have further embraced the connection between creativity and digital devices and tools. 

Mā te wā.

DFI - Day 2

Kia Ora,

Today was Day 2 of DFI. We focussed on Workflow and Google Meet.

Akohia/Learn:

We began with a shared reflection. I shared that I have improved the look and usability of my ability group reading and math slides, as a result of using the 'remove.bg' extension application.

I have found 'remove.bg' to be a useful application because I have been able to improve the look and usability of the slides for my pupils and the professional appearance of the slides as well. 

Next, we had online Google Meet with Dorothy. Dorothy spoke about how the Learn, Create, Share model should be understood as an inclusive and simple idea that provides for a 'seamless learning experience in the digital age' for all students, and helps teachers create an effective teaching practice in their classrooms. Her talk focussed on the 'Learn' part of the model, which is designed to both amplify teacher practice and turbocharge student learning.

For me, the great thing about this model is that it can be adapted for individual schools and teachers, and I have begun to put into practice what this 'seamless learning experience' looks like in my classroom, Room 4.

For example, my students have engaged in 'Learn' through Ako Ano. Ako Ano is any important deliberate act of teaching that is made into visual and rewindable learning for students. In Room 4, my students have visual and rewindable learning in maths and reading that they can look back at for support.

We also 'Explored' by participating in another Meet and we took turns sharing a meaningful place and song with our group members.

Finally, we explored Google Keep and Gmail as an application. For me, I'm comfortable using the note function on my MacBook Air school laptop instead, and I've used Gmail confidently over the last few years.

Hanga/Create:

This part of the day was for us to 'Create' and make meaning of the day's content with Google Meet. Our task was to use Meet to connect with a DFI colleague. The colleague that I connected with was Anita from Waikowhai Primary School in Roskill South.

We discussed a blog posted by a student called Duncan who had constructed a table to store his motocross gear, which he completed during the March 2020 lockdown.

It was fun to create and host a Meet, and I enjoyed embracing the experience.

Tohatoha/Share:

Lastly, we 'Shared' our learning. We focussed on embedding and rewinding the content we had created through our blogs, which can be seen above for my future reference, if needed.

Finally, in reflecting upon this blog, I have answered a couple of questions.

What have I learned that has helped increase my understanding of the Manaiakalani kaupapa and pedagogy?

I have learned how to create and host a Google Meet, and have the confidence to use this in my professional life and in my classroom.

What have I learned that can be used with my learners?

I definitely think with effective teaching I can instruct and facilitate my students to create their own Meets. For this to be successful in Room 4, I need to consider that my students are Year 3 juniors who only use iPads, while the Meet function is best utilised using Chromebooks.

Mā te wā.

DFI - Day 1

Kia Ora,

Today was the first day of our Digital Fluency Intensive (DFI) course 2022. The day was structured according to the Manaiakalani Pedagogy: Learn, Create, Share, and the arrangement of my weekly posts will follow the same format.

Akohia/Learn:

First, it was important to me to gain an understanding of 'Why?'. This course is designed for teachers to prime ourselves with new digital skills in order to have the capabilities to connect our learners digitally to their learning. 

What stood out for me in the 'Learn' period was the story told by the Manaiakalani leader, Dorothy Burt. Dorothy spoke incisively about the genesis of the Manaiakalani story and the ongoing development of the Learn, Create, Share pedagogy, and its positive and empowering impact on low socio-economic communities.

This allowed me to see the importance of connecting my students to the digital world, seeing devices as a learning tool that amplifies effective teacher practice and student learning, and how teaching digitally helps alleviate any disparities of equity within our current education system.

Something that I found useful for my own teaching was being introduced to the 'Explore' function in Google Docs. I have learned how to add a drop down function that I can use for student learning activities. This has stood out for me as transferable learning into the classroom.

Hanga/Create: 

This part of the day was structured for us to 'Create' a document with Google Docs. I decided to make a poster of instructions for using a dictionary to find words.

Alternatively, my students can use the 'Explore' function in Google Docs or use Kiddle to look up and find the meanings of words. 

Tohatoha/Share: 

The final section of the day was for sharing our work via Blogging. This provided me with the opportunity to embed and rewind my learning, as well as a chance to reflect with my colleagues. 

So upon reflection for this blog, I have pondered two questions:

What have I learned that has helped increase my understanding of the Manaiakalani kaupapa and pedagogy?

I have understood how Manaiakalani aims to help its teachers be more at home in a digital world that is increasingly at the forefront of our ākonga/learners' needs and experiences.

What have I learned that can be used with my learners?

I have learned more about the features, functions, and capabilities of Google Docs which I had not previously realised the potential of, and that are directly transferable into my classroom. 

Some of the features, such as the 'Explore' and 'Building Blocks' buttons can be used in student learning to complete their Learn, and Create tasks in reading, writing, and maths.

Mā te wā.