DFI Week 3

Week 3

Learn Create Share - which is the Manaiakalani pedagogy is very relevant today and for future learning. Today we discovered that creativity can be enhanced by expressing ourselves creativity. Through the use of digital devices we have the opportunity to enhance our learners experiences. Exploring how to use technology in a creative way - such as animation, etc really helps our learners . I was also really interested watching the heart of the matter clip. A clip of a Northland school that had a very creative curriculum 60 years ago, unfortunately over the years many schools have moved away from this. It is great that Manaiakalani schools have continued this creative kaupapa today.

I still need to become more familiar and confident using blogger.com as I still have a lot to learn. I need to be able to confidently embed and upload content. I also need to work out how to navigate the settlings etc. Once I use the different google apps on a regular basis it will definitely become a lot easier. Making a youtube playlist will also be helpful when making slides for children's writing groups. They will be able to work on independent tasks before I work with them.

I really enjoyed making a game slide today, although it is very basic. The slides can be utilised in an engaging way for the students to learn and have fun at the same time. I really can see the benefits of learning to create animation with students, as well as learning to add audio etc. This will make a great resource, as well as presenting the students with opportunities to express themselves.

Last year I worked with a writing group to create an animation presentation at the school assembly about the zones of regulation. The children really had to research the content, and then put together a slide show, and then they record their voice over the slideshow. It really was a process, but they loved it. I also had to learn how to create an animation myself and then share it with the writing group. So, being familiar with using technology is important, but in saying that you don't have to be an expert. You just need to be willing to give it a go, make mistakes because you will definitely learn from your mistakes.

Using technology always becomes easier with practice. Making a conscious effort to implement slides etc into lessons and getting the chance to create the slides on a regular basis will become second nature. I really have found the practical design tasks from todays session very helpful and fun to explore. It has helped my own confidence when by being able to publish my blog at the end of the day!

DFI Week 2

Week 2 

There seems to be a lot of acronyms in this profession, but I have not encountered RATE (recognise, amplify, turbocharge, effective practice) before. It seems fitting and in line with digital learning now and in the future. In all class environments establishing a great class atmosphere is important. Being able to share and collaborating. The create, share, learn pedagogy is important and I am sure that we will unpack it more during the Term. The importance of technology in the classroom has been proven to accelerate learning and that is paramount. 

Exploring some of the google apps that I have not had the opportunity to use in real life. Google keep seemed like it would be great to use, and sometimes during the lessons, we just touch the surface. I would really need to go back and try to unpack them myself. I also find you tube clips really helpful to navigate the tricky bits that have left me a little bit confused. I also felt that we rushed through a lot of the apps. 

Embedding video clips would be great to use in the classroom, and my own practice. Unfortunately I couldn’t record on my computer, but I was able to collaborate with another person in my bubble. The tricky part was embedded the clip onto my blog……I just can’t work out what to do. It is actually quite frustrating, and I guess being in the position of a learner…..is humbling. I just have a lot to learn, and not being able to use my blog correctly has really slowed me down this week. If you mis a step in the process, it can also hold you back and hinder your learning. Moving too fast, with too much content is not a lot of fun. 

With all learning, there are some things that your find interesting and gravitate towards. There are also aspects of learning that can be frustrating. I think I had a day where I felt left behind, and it wasn’t enjoyable. I guess I need to go back over slides and investigate some google apps in my own time. I will also try and incorporate some of the google apps in my professional life so that I am more confident and proficient. The apps are designed to help, but to be effective I need to change my mindset and be more confident using the apps. 

DFI Creator Post Day One

Day One

The original Maaniakalani cluster continues to be a great initiative that was created to help increase the digital fluency of tamariki in the Glenn Innes area. It has been a great example of how using digital technology has helped to improve whole communities. It is more than using devices, it is about developing and enhancing skills for learners and teachers. It really is a collective and collaborative effort to be agents of change. 

There is a lot to learn, but the end results are going to be worth it. The best thing that I learned to use today, is the talk - typing tool. This will be great for the children who find it difficult to record their ideas, they are either caught up with spelling, or retaining their thoughts. (Although that occurs not matter what age you are). This is something that I would definitely use in the classroom. 

I think that the children in my class are visual learners, being able to quickly create visual resources will be great for the students. It will also be great for the children to create their own visual documents when they are retelling a story, or making a poster.