DFI Week 8

Empowered learners and teachers - Week 8

Being or feeling Empowered is an important element of the Manaiakalani Kaupapa. Connectivity helps to empower people’s lives. Agency – using agency with our whanau - be careful of the word agency, because it comes with negative connotations. Whereas empowered is a better word to use that highlights the importance of technology. (As technology crosses barriers of distance and time). 

Technology is not just a tool, because of its transformative power. The digital divide is very real, and this can impact on children’s future learning potential. It is important for the children to develop language and communication skills. Which can also be continued with blogging. Replying to comments, and hopefully engaging in communications skills in this way. The children can also enhance writing skills. (Communication skills does not have to be in English, sharing ideas, and critical thinking).

The Jetsons – from the 1960’s, which is set in 2062. A lot of the concepts are implemented in our lives day today.  (Maybe not the flying car.......yet).

Computational thinking, empowering our young people to be active in an online world. The children's future pathway, social and community issues. Making sure that young children are able to experience technology at home, so that they can active participates in their learning - at their pace. 

Digitally fluent person, can decide when and why to use specific data. (Teachers – being digitally fluent – can enhance students learning experiences). Students can make the most of their time if they use technology in a positive way. 

Students need to develop skills – with changing technology. Being cyber-smart  so they can collaborate, and share relevant information. Pedagogy behind that, in a one to one learning environment is inclusive. Using scratch and some of the resources that is available is great. 

I have used non-computational learning in the class, before starting to use coding with the children (last year). Writing and following instructions, learning to code etc. The children really enjoyed code.org - which is a great website for all different learning abilities. So this website has something for everyone. 

Computational thinking is a set of problem-solving methods that involve expressing problems and their solutions in the same way that a computer could execute (following instructions - method). For example – procedural writing, which follows steps.

During our explore time I worked on Mihi Maker - which is a game in gamefroot. It is actually a fun activity. When I published my Mihi at the end, it actually didn't post. (Which is frustrating, but also a learning curve). I actually had experienced problems throughout using this game, but had managed to trouble shoot, up to this point. Sometimes experiencing these problems, being uncomfortable is a great way to pre-empt any problems that may occur in the classroom.