DFI Week 7

 

Week 7 

During lockdown, it really became clear that schools needed to move to a digital platform that would support children during this time. Collaborating with colleagues and developing lessons that the children could work on while at home. 

It became obvious that the staff, children and parents would need to be supported to use technology and the children would be able work independently. After lockdown the children would need to be more confident to use technology in class. More importantly, staff would need to be supported to use technology in class. Developing plans that would work in class and outside of school hours was and is also important.  

Children owning their own devices, and bringing them to school every day will be a sure fire way for the children to continue learning, should we go into lockdown again, or even during term time, and holidays. There would be engagement and the students will have control over their own learning. (Especially using Hapara – visible learning). 

Removing barriers, so that learning can take place, anytime, anywhere, any pace, from anyone. Children have the opportunity to learn – at their time and their choice, by using online digital tools. Not just inside the classroom. We have the geographical barrier taken away, during DFI.  So that it is not just a tool – it needs to be transformative. 

It can be empowering for children to be able to have access to information and lessons from a teacher of their choice. (Learning from anyone). The idea of pace, and at the pace that we can keep up when using  rewinding learning. Does this mean that teachers will be replaced in the future.......will they even need teachers.....just one or a few super teachers? 

During lockdown, ubiquitous learning started to make sense, and also became a reality. It was a way of learning that we all did. (distance learning). Learners have the opportunity to well thought out planning and learning developed by their teacher. (Including and the outside of the normal school day – term). When taking on all the school trips, TODs etc…..being able to continue learning online, without disruptions.

Conversations for children's learning is important. From research some children are exposed to less than 30,000,000 less words than children from Decile 10 schools. Ubiquitous learning is a way to empower and give children an even playing field. Over the summer slump (drop off), which is global – ubiquitous learning can help address this. (How can we support students to be able to confidently navigate technology outside of the classroom, and how teachers can develop the content to support their learning). 

Todays learning was a lot to process.....I enjoyed the task where we created online using chrome books, and iPads. Anything creative like that is enjoyable....but also incredibly frustrating because it takes such a long time.  I had a yellow screen, when I tried to use the camera.....(snap camera) and couldn't remove it, that becomes frustrating when you are trying to complete a task and have to rethink your original plans. 

It is a case of troubleshooting and trying to adjust. (Using a photo from my desktop instead). 

I can really see the importance of using screencast to record over slides. This will be great for the children to use. It will go along way towards having a student focused classroom, and creates independence. I am really glad to be able too quickly and effectively use this app. Also the children will be able to share their learning using this app also.                                                                                                                           

Please copy the link below to view learning.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RIp-aWIPA94tNcFxM9t4HOkdpIjEIeJv/view 

Empowering learners to be cybersmart and making sure that the children are confident using technology is also a big learning curve. There is a need to use positive language, using the analogy that we walk across a crossing safely, instead of telling children not to run across the road. As well as developing online skills for children to be confident to share, but to also have some information that remains private. 

It was actually quite daunting trying to get through all of the lessons today. It is quite hard to learn online at time. Listening, and trying to use devices as well. So there are times when it is extremely frustrating. It is also quite hard to retain all the information, as it does take time to master a skill, and have the confidence to learn something else.