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.

Week 5: DFI 2019

Session 5: Devices and Cyber-Safety

It is so important to make sure cyber safety is a major focus in classrooms. There are 12 categories to work through with students. Manaiakalani have a great resource online for teachers to use. It is important we don't assume students know how to interact on a device. We want students to feel they are connected citizens and be aware that they are leaving a digital footprint every time they post online. At Ohaeawai school we make this learning a priority. If we work on teaching our students how to be confident digital citizens we will be able to empower our learners to harness technology in smart and clever ways safely

Harpara

What a useful tool. I must put this on my must learn more about list. I do know my teachers use this tool and always have it up in their classrooms. What I need to know is how it can help me as a principal to connect and share with my students.
I did not realise that I can see students Blog posts through the dashboard. This will make life easier.
Also, Guide browsing really interests me. I think this will help to keep certain children on task and will be a must share with my staff.

Next we spent some time working on a chromebook, discovering shortcuts to use on the device. Next we worked on iPads learning about the app Explain Everything. Wow - there is so much you can do with this app. Students at my school use this all the time in our junior school. I am in awe of the work they do now.

After lunch we spent some time exploring screen castify. This is a tool my staff use a lot - in fact our school staff were granted free premium accounts for the year because we had produced so many screen castify's. We were in the top 5% in the world the email said - which I was pretty proud of.

Here is a quick video I made focusing on making smart relationships through commenting on Blog posts. This was my first attempt at this and I found this really tricky - I am amazed how easily the kids find it.

Again, lots of learning today. I have developed a new appreciation of my staff and students. The stuff they create in class amazing me on a daily basis.