Week 9 DFI 2019

Week 9

Last week of intense learning. I have thoroughly loved participating in this course. I feel so much more confident in what I am able to do and also in how I am able to support my staff.

Today we revisited ubiquitous learning. The three A's Anytime, Anywhere, Any pace. This is what I feel is the most important benefit from the Learn, Create Share pedagogy.

Rewindable learning has changed the way learning happens in school - definitely for the better. I definitely feel this has benefited the learners at Ohaeawai School.

I have to say, sitting through a three hour exam was a new experience for me. Haven't done that for awhile. As I am writing this, I have yet to hear whether or not I have passed my google educator level 1 exam. The waiting is killing me. I feel like I did ok - watch this space. Update - I PASSED!!


I do feel that my workflow has definitely increased. I feel more organised and on top of my emails. I use google keep and tasks apps all of the time and I am becoming more efficient in using google sheets.

I have said it before but I will say it again, I have a new appreciation for my staff. What they do in the classroom with students is amazing!!

Week 8 DFI 2019

Week 8

Empowered Teachers Learners and Whanau

Today I was reminded of the importance of empowering our learners to achieve to their ability despite their socio-economic backgrounds. It is important to have a shared understanding among staff of the issues that dis-empower our target learners and make sure these are not barriers to their learning.

Agency is having the power or capacity to act and make choices. Feeling at home in a digital world empowers students to have a voice, express themselves creatively and share in different ways. We need to remember the following thought when thinking about what we do around technology in our classrooms. "A digitally capable person can create their own digital technologies solution".

The new Digital Curriculum is “about teaching children how to design their own digital solutions and become creators of, not just users of, digital technologies, to prepare them for the modern workforce.” (Chris Hipkins, 2018).

Unplugged activity 

Rosina and I worked together to write a code for the other to follow. We managed to create the same shape but we did have questions - especially in how we get to the starting point.

In the afternoon we were challenged to create a DLO to answer a set question. I worked with Amanda to create a Scratch presentation on why Learn Create Share is so important and more importantly, empowering for our students.

A lot of fun was had today! 

Week 7 DFI 2019

Week 7 DFI

Today we focused on being connected. Connecting with our students, our staff, our community and the wider world. There are many ways to do this and what I have learnt today is 'there are digital tools out there which help to make this so easy'.

I really enjoyed spending time learning about and exploring Google Maps, Google Forms and Google sheets. I was feeling pretty confident about google forms but I did learn a few tricks - thank you Alicia, Venessa and Kerry. I took a deep dive into learning more about google sheets. I am impressed with what you can do - this is a tool I will definitely need to send more time with as it will have huge benefits to everything I do.

I created an analysis of a students blog (see below) using a google draw, as this was suggested as the easiest tool to use.  This is not a tool I use often, google docs is usually my go to google tool but the more I play, the more I can see the benefits to using this tool.

Another great day of learning. Thank you everyone who helped me today. 

Week 6 DFI 2019

DFI Week 6

It felt a bit strange not heading to Taipa to spend the day learning about a topic I am quite keen to improve on - Google Site creating. Since my time at Ohaeawai School, I have come to understand the importance of a google site to both the school community and the the wider community. Sites is an important tool in classes in my school for our students and whānau. Sites are used by my learners at school and offsite and for whānau to know what it is being taught in their child's class.

As part of my homework, I have had a go at creating a PLD site which I aim to attach to our school Website. I envisage placing information for staff to access as we go through a our learning journey together.

It is definitely a work in progress and if I am honest I had a lot of frustrations as I tried to remember the ins and outs of creating a google site. I have a new appreciation for my amazing staff who seem to be able to whip a class site up so quickly.