DFI Day 9: Revision

DFI Day 9: REVISION

If it’s worth teaching, it’s worth capturing

If it’s worth learning, it’s worth capturing

Ubiquitous is a big word for Anywhere, Anytime, Any Place and from Anyone.
Digital Technology is definitely UBIQUITOUS!
Effective teaching practice running alongside digital technology to transform learning and teaching experiences means that there are better opportunities for quality learning.  That you can rewind it, play it back, and then keep doing that if you still don't get it.  No matter where you are, what time it is or who is OR ISN'T around you.  

I like the idea of capturing learning and teaching and being in DFI means that I now have a better understanding of how digital technology can drive learning.  I am a strong believer in the relationships that we build with our students and if digital technology is so ubiquitous, I wonder if some students will choose to learn at home as opposed to an actual classroom? That poses both positive and negative thoughts, however for myself as a professional, I will continue to develop my competency and knowledge of digital technology so that my students are able to access learning and teaching ubiquitously.  

The skills that I have gained through DFI will also benefit other areas in my life that require visibilty and access to information. Definitely thankful for the time that we were given to upskill and learn amongst like minded colleagues who were also able to take on the challenge of upskilling.  Our students, whānau and school community will benefit from the skills that we have gained in DFI and I would like to say a big 'Thank You' for this opportunity to learn.  

DFI Day 8: Dealing with Data

DEALING WITH DATA

Day 8 was pack jammed with new learning and lots of creating.  The philosophy of LEARN, CREATE, SHARE was in full swing!!  There was so much to LEARN.
SHARING came as we took risks to teach each other new learning, which resulted in less confusion and frustration.  
WE all contributed in some way to help others.  LEARNING is lifelong and here we are, in the same shoes that many of our students are in everyday at school. 

Here are the activities that we encountered today:

ACTIVITY: To create a GOOGLE FORM that contained criteria to show your level of expertise. 

DFI Survery

ACTIVITY: To work on a number of skills using GOOGLE SPREADSHEET
PWD Super Spread Sheet Activities

ACTIVITY: To export data from  a spreadsheet that was created from a GOOGLE FORM and using this data we had to ADD LAYERS locate destinations on a GOOGLE MAP.
Next step is to create a GOOGLE MAP showing the sites being visited for our China Tour.

ACTIVITY: To build our skills to CREATE A GRAPH from data in a GOOGLE SPREADSHEET and then EMBED it in our own blog. We 

Tara is a student from Papakura Central School who is posting a lot more each year.  The quality of her posts show her understanding of the learning and were a pleasure to read and comment on.  Well done Tara!  Kia ū ki te pai.

Patsy, Jo and Darren

Thanks to my DFI friends, JO and DARREN, for a great day of learning.  With our powers combined... we did it!  We took some risks and with a few more clicks, we got there!

DFI Day 7: Computational Thinking

Manaiakalani kaupapa and Empowerment:

Writing my reflection for our DFI Day 7 Session has taken longer than usual. This session was all about COMPUTATIONAL THINKING... something that I did not quite understand. I know that we are constantly adapting our thinking and processing to improve outcomes. This is not something new, it just now has a title tagged to it.

Dorothy talked about being EMPOWERED and exposure through technology. She talked about experiences and the passing down of knowledge... about the power of digital to transform how we learn and the opportunities available. That digital is more than just a tool. 

Rangatiratanga was mentioned and how this is enabled using digital technology. Rangatiratanga is self-determination and the right to control your own life. For some whānau, this technology is inaccessible and affordability is a barrier.  When we consciously know that many of our whānau are struggling financially, I cannot help but question why we are asking them to pay $500 for a chromebook when they are struggling to put food on the table?  I have no control if there is an expectation that I MUST buy a chromebook for my child at Year 9. It just doesn't feel right.

I understand that the work force is changing... that we need to prepare our students for the future and "get with the programme". We must remember that as a people it takes a village to raise a child, and that our whānau are empowered by being PART of the change and not the reason for it.

Improving my confidence, capability or workflow as a professional?

We were introduced to a range of tools that can be used in our classroom programmes.  I spent most of my time today creating the coding in the Scratch tool.  There were other tools that we were introduced to but I wanted to get my head around SCRATCH so that I could then implement it in one of my lessons.  

Like everything I need time to finish my SCRATCH presentation and fine tune some of the movements/ instructions so that it flows better from beginning to end. 
I'll add my SCRATCH when I know how to so as a treat... read my blog for our DFI Day 8 post.

What did I learn that could be used with my learners?  

Definitely using SCRATCH in one of my 1IDY lessons about Workplace Safety.

What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow in my personal life?

Rangatiratanga - self determination and having control of our lives. This relates to how I work and ensuring that I get the balance right. That I need to monitor how much time I am on devices, at work and at home. That I must always value face to face interactions with others and get out and be active. That digital technology is part of my day, but not all of it. I am growing in confidence to create and use various digital tools and as my understanding grows, I am able to utilise them with greater purpose.