Data galore! Forms and Sheets... with a map thrown in.

Woah, what a massive day of learning!

We began with a focus on SHARE/tohatoha and being connected. People have been sharing since time began, but after a surge in 2005, with the rise of FaceBook, YouTube, Bebo, and Twitter, sharing was taken to a new level. Although sharing was already part of human culture, it was constrained by time, place, and people. Technology has taken those barriers away and allowed for audiences to be authentic all across the globe. By posting online, learners are able to see tasks to completion and understand the importance of finishing. 

The formatting of Google Sheets and the use of Google Forms will enable me to collect and store data effectively in my role as a teacher and colleague. 

Google Form demo 

It allows for seamless analysis of a variety of data. This will enable me to be more efficient and thorough. An example can be seen here with analysis of student data. 

My learners will benefit from this streamlining as using Google Forms to collect data is user-friendly and 'fun', compared to traditional ways of testing. I can also use my new knowledge of Google My Maps to link to learning in the classroom (see below). Students can also use these skills to display and create their own maps related to inquiry topics.

My Maps: a Journey through the Philippines

 

 I was excited to use Google My Maps as I could recreate an overseas trip I went on with friends to recall all the places we visited. I am also excited to use it personally to plan a trip to the South Island with my family in the next school holidays. The possibilities with all these applications are endless. 

Media - week 3

 

Media

Week 3 rolled around quickly and with it a new topic of learning. Media was discussed this week using a variety of tools and applications.

Our Manaiakalani focus today was around the word CREATE and its role in education in Aotearoa over time. We examined how crucial creating is to the development of cognitive function and the place that it has through early childhood, primary, and secondary education. There were some valuable quotes shared from various sources around the importance of creating, giving students the opportunity to use their hands to trigger their minds, assisting with problem solving, developing communication skills, and giving learners something to DO. 

Professionally, there were hints and tips around the use of Slides for presenting that will enhance the quality of future presentations. The grouping and prioritising of students on Hapara will also be useful in monitoring the computer use of learners. Learning how to create a pick-a-path presentation using Google Slides will be something to continue exploring as there are so many uses for this tool.

Learning to use YouTube to create a channel and playlists will be hugely beneficial to my students. Today I created a maths playlist containing the 'go-to' videos that I often use, and added the link to my class website so students can access these easily. It is a much safer way to direct students to YouTube videos. We also explored Google Drawings and this will also be something that I can use for the class website, or to allow students to spend time using the application. The image below was made using Google Drawings and replaced my previous profile image. 

Overall, today's learning has built my confidence to use these media related applications to streamline the way that I organise and do things. Knowing how to create playlists on YouTube will make life much easier when trying to remember where that perfect tutorial or informative video is when I need to find it in a hurry! I also look forward to continuing to explore creating pick-a-path presentations. 

Workflow - Week 2 Digital Fluency Intensive

Workflow

Google Keep, Calendar, and keeping our workspace organised 

 We began the day with a discussion on AKO - LEARN, and the acronym RATE. Using these concepts, we linked the ways digital tools can be used efficiently for effective teaching practice. We discussed how the learning network enables diversity, accelerates learning, and transforms the way we learn. This is centered around an evidence-based programme.

The ordering and manoeuvring of tabs and bookmarks will make the admin side of teaching much more streamlined and help me to limit how much I have open at once. Using Keep to monitor my 'to do' list will be really useful and being able to share this with whānau and colleagues. 

I learnt new skills that can be transferred to the classroom, particularly with Google Keep, knowing how to store comments for feedback and to conveniently insert these into student's work. Today also reminded me of how important bookmarks are, especially when learners are trying to find websites and documents that they use regularly.

I am looking forward to sharing the benefits of Keep with my friends and whānau to streamline the organisation of activities and help to get everyone on track during whānau occasions. I will also enjoy not hearing comments from my own children about how I have 'too many tabs open', or 'why haven't I grouped my bookmarks?' Definitely a confident boost!

Mā te wā,

Alicia

Digital Fluency Intensive 2021 - Day One

 First day done and dusted!

A whirlwind of anxiety was eased after a day of friendly faces, helpful tips, and plenty of examples. It began with a nervous click of JOIN to enter the meet with around 40 other members. We eased into the learning with some background information into Manaiakalani and its origins. 

It was great to have first hand experience of the learn - create - share pedagogy as a member of today's cohort. Knowing that Manaiakalani is a concept of WHO opened up more of an understanding of the overall kaupapa behind it. We also took time to acknowledge those who had faith in it from the beginning, therefore contributing to the success it is now in 2021. 

The biggest learning today to take back as a professional was the formatting in docs to include headings and contents, to be able to directly take the reader to a specific part of the text. This will also make created documents look more professional and aesthetically pleasing. I will also be using tables in docs more often to make the layout easier and more functional.

There were so many things to take away and share with my learners, but I feel the voice typing would be most beneficial to my students, particularly those who struggle with writing. I also took the chance to create a poster to share on our class website celebrating the new te reo Maori learning we are currently pursuing. 

My biggest personal learning today was to push myself to give things a go that scare me! I came into this with some hesitation, but now that I have made the first step I feel really confident and excited to continue this course. I also feel that it will improve my home/work life balance by working smarter and not harder with the digital skills we are learning. 

Bring on next week!

Nau mai, haere mai

 

Welcome to my professional learning blog.

This is a place where I can reflect on my Teaching as Inquiry goals

and how they link to the Education Council's

Standards for the Teaching Profession