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.