DFI Session 9

Today is the day, the day that DFI ends. It was a sad feeling walking into the cold hall this morning, knowing that this would be the last time we would work with each other.

We started off the morning by discussing what went well and what we still need help with. It was great to hear that everyone is doing well and feeling more confident within themselves and their ability. It has been so great watching everybody grow over the past 9 weeks.

We discussed ubiquitous learning and how this looks in the classroom and at home. The great thing about ubiquitous learning is that learning is visible and available at all hours of the day not just in the slot of school hours.

Within Manaikalani, ubiquitous is looked at through the Summer Learning Journey, this is where students are able to continue learning over the summer holiday breaks. Below is a comparison of students who completed the Summer Learning Journey and those who didn't.

We also looked at opportunities that are available after the DFI.

• Visible teaching as inquiry
• Innovative teachers 
• Google class on air
• Tuhi MaiTuhi Atu
• Online Toolkit

I think in the future I would like to look into the Visible Teaching As Inquiry and the Google On Air. This would be something that I would like to do when I have become a registered teacher. I would like to explore reading and writing and how to engage students especially boys.


The final part of the day was the Google Exam, Level 1. This was a very riveting and exhausting time. We had 3 hours to complete 11 scenarios and 20 multiple choice questions. In order for us to pass we had to get 80% or more.

I passed which was an awesome way to finish the DFI course.

I feel very grateful to have been able to be a part of this course. I have learnt so much from Mark, Dorothy and the visitors we have had over the past 9 weeks. Thank you so much for all the time and effort you have put into this. We all really appreciate it.  

DFI Session 8

Cybersmart Curriculum

As a part of the Maniakalani pedagogy that is mandated throughout all of its clusters. This is something that I have seen first hand and have taught myself.

The Cybersmart Curriculum is a big part of Maniakalani and the 4 key aspects
- Connected
- Empowered
- Ubiquitous
- Visible

These aspects set students up to be Cybersmart learners for their lives.

Throughout the year's students should be exposed to powerful, positive and proactive language. When it is used throughout all levels it builds a strong culture.

Cybersmart is taught by Maniakalani teachers but is actively promoted by tech giants all around the world (e.g. Google, Apple etc.)

The Cybersmart curriculum was trialled in 2012, was across the school as a priority. Planned and deliberate teaching. LCS lined up with the teaching of the Cybersmart. Start with the Kawa of Care - and reinforcing our smart learner.

Term 1 - LearnTerm 2 - Create

Term 3 - Share

The intention of the lesson is for students to understand that what they create and share are a part of their digital footprint. This stays with them into their adulthood.

This is the template of the Thoughtful, Positive and Helpful comments.

Gerhard taught us some tips and tricks about Hapara (Teacher Dashboard). He went through in detail about the Highlights, Guided Browsing, Gmail, Folders and groups. 

For me, I had known about these things as I was taught them last year but it was great to be given a refresher. 

We also explored the use of Chromebooks and Ipads which allowed us to look through the student lenses. On the Chromebook, we explored the different shortcuts. I found the tracker pad very touchy and the keys very heavy. It makes me appreciate my Mac Book that I use. I also was exposed to Explain Everything on the Ipads. This was a brand new tool and was something that I could see as being very beneficial to the students. I can understand how it can be utilised in the junior classrooms. I loved that you ae able to record and leave instructions for kids but also that they are able to record their learning. 

We then went onto Screencastify which you can see on the post before this one. 

Miss Holland's Recording

W.A.L.T use Screencastify to record a video about learning

Today at our DFI session we were asked to create a video using a tool called Screencastify. Screencastify is a tool which records your thinking and learning. It is recorded through the webcam and is saved into a Google Folder. Screencastify will be great for the students in my class as it allows them to share their understanding in a digital form, allowing them to be visible in their learning process.

Here is a video of me explaining how to create a blog post following six steps.

Thanks to Manaiakalani for the template example.

Enjoy!

DFI Session 7

As I was unwell on Tuesday, I wasn't able to make the DFI session. Since then I have looked over the notes and will share with you things that stood out for me.

The focus of the session was being Empowered.

As teachers, we are lucky enough to work with a range of students who show many different qualities. And through all those qualities we can empower them to achieve great things.

For some students, they do not feel like they are capable or feel like they have the ability to succeed. Through the use of digital technologies, it allows us to transform how we teach but also transform how the student learns.

Technology empowers students which is something that I have seen over the past year. Technology is not just a tool as it offers students memorable and authentic opportunities for them to succeed. Using tools on the device such as talk to type and read text, students who tend to struggle with literacy have improved fantastically. I put this down to students being able to take out the anxiety that comes to spelling. Students have been able to speak their stories out loud as they think it and the computer will record it for them.

When we are able to share their learning online through digital platforms such as blogger we are able to see that students are actively more engaged.

DFI Session 6

Kia ora team,

Being connected 
Real life audience - blogs. Allows them to connect could be even internationally. Publish to the web so they could share, even connect globally

Being connected allows us to keep in touch with other colleagues, share our planning and teaching and much more. It also enables the student's learning to be connected through a visible platform. 

Since 2015 more than 5 outreach clusters have joined;

• 22,000 children in the outreach
• 64 English medium primary
• 10 Catholic special character ( 1 secondary)
• 3+ Kura Kaupapa Maori and
• 14 secondary schools
• 1 special school
• Smallest school - 25 Te Hapua
• 1 area school

In Manaiakalani we have a shared language - the pedagogy and kaupapa language
This is made possible because it is visible. People are connected by this shared language Visible learning and teaching, Learn, Create, Share and the Cybersmart curriculum. 

Learn, Create, Share enables them for the future. Creates kids that are open to learning, open to possibilities and new experiences. This also allows for face to face opportunities to connect. Professional learning groups, tool kits and celebrations.

Today we also focused on the use of Media to help assist us with teaching and learning. We explored Youtube (as mentioned in the post before this) and looked at Google Draw and Slides.

For me, I find that I am pretty confident at using Google Drawings and Slides, this is because I used these tools as my foundation for teaching and planning.

This year, I have begun using Google Drawings as a way to extend the thinking of the students in my class. Instead of using Google Slides as the go to, I have begun using Drawings. This allows me to make it more individualised and allows the students to have more accountability for their learning.

On the slides below I have shown you the ways that I have used Google Drawings in my class.

Testing

Today in our DFI session we explored Youtube. We explored how to live stream and how to use playlists. Playlists will be an excellent addition to my tools as the children love listening to music. Above I have created a playlist of music that students can listen to in class. I can continue to add to the playlist and it will update automatically.