Computational thinking day! Always one of my favourites. This blog post is mainly about sharing some resources that I explored today that people might be unaware of.
I love Compute It. I stayed away form it today because I end up doing it for hours! This introduces programming language and is great for students to work away at independently. Super engaging!
Hello Ruby was a new one for me today. This has some great offline activities for juniors. It reinforces the fact that younger students already do a lot of activities that involve computational thinking.
I'm still exploring Raranga Matihiko but I'm enjoying the links to other apps like ClapMotion and Gamefroot. I'd be keen to hear from anyone who has used these in class. I'll also be having a watch of the Raranga Matihiko TV home learning videos.
Let me know if you are aware of any other awesome resources that might be useful.
And good luck to all the teachers in my bubble (and all the other DFI participants) who are taking the Google Level 1 exam next week!
Today was an extremely busy day on DFI (but then again when isn't it?) so I didn't have too many notes to convert into my blog post.
I did learn a few super valuable lessons though. One for Chromebooks and one for iPads
1. Screencastify shortcuts. These will be so useful and I can't wait to try them out. I think they will really help students too, allowing them to focus on delivering their content rather than worrying about clicking in different places.
2. Screen recording on iPads. I've already made a video about this and shared it with some teachers who might find it useful. I can't believe I didn't know this was a thing!
I'm also super proud of my wonderful bubble. They created some awesome resources in Explain Everything and Workspaces today. They have come so far in the seven weeks we have been working together!
DFI day six already! Another great day focusing on the kaupapa of connected and on Class Sites...
Connected:
Dorothy's presentation reminded me of the need to encourage participation in the Ako Hiko Google Currents community. I think there is still a lot of apprehension when it comes to sharing our practice but there is so much potential for us to learn from and support each other that I think it is essential.
Dorothy's toolkit about attracting an audience to your blogs was very useful. I will use some of these ideas while planning Cybersmart sessions in future terms and will also unpack them further with our Ako Hiko ambassadors who are starting their roles in Term 2.
Class Sites:
Having time to view some sites from other clusters was extremely valuable. I found some great examples where the teaching and learning is visible on the reading or maths group pages. In many cases the learning was also fully rewindable and had links to T-shaped literacy. These will be good exemplars to use with teachers I work with this year.
In the afternoon our bubbles had time to work on their own class sites. It was a good opportunity for me to reflect on my recently built Poetry Slam site (our Poetry Slam is next week and all online if you are interested in joining us).
This week's adventure into the Manaiakalani pedagogy was based around visibility. I don't think you can repeat too many times that the default is to make everything visible. This applies to everything from planning to assessments.
I've been really impressed with the class sites in the Ako Hiko cluster, especially over our multiple lockdowns. I think a next nudge for us is having more of the teaching visible on the sites. This could include teachers' planning and assessments and as we have discussed at this term's staff hui, more rewindable learning.
I enjoyed hearing about the purposes of Class Sites and Hāpara:
Class Sites - making the teaching visible for learners
Hāpara - making the learning visible for teachers
Class Sites:
It was my first time presenting to the whole group today. It made me realise how much content there is to cover when creating a site. I also learnt that simple themes aren't the best for macrons.
In the afternoon our group was collaborating on a Jamboard to share resources for our sites. We found a few things frustrating such as not being able to add a hyperlink and text boxes being a bit awkward. A good reminder here that with any Google Apps you can send feedback. In Jamboard this feature is found by clicking the three dots, in something like Docs it is under the 'help' section. The more requests they get about a certain feature the more likely they are to fix it!
Day 4 of DFI already! Today we heard Dorothy talk about tohatoha or share. I really like the definition of an authentic audience...
"people who choose to view your learning"
i.e. they have other options of what they could be viewing. This will be useful to explain to learners, especially when I could be reading and commenting on hundreds of different blogs in the Ako Hiko cluster.
Also a good reminder about why we use Blogger as a platform for sharing...
MyMaps
I had the idea to use MyMaps for story writing. Here's a story I created today which will require the audience to read each section carefully and do some research to find out where to go next on the map. I'd be really keen to hear any feedback you have on it.
ps. I realise I got way to deep into this so it's a bit over the top...
Sheets
I don't think I'll ever stop learning new tips and tricks about Google Sheets. Today I learnt a new way to split data into two or more columns:
data - split text to columns - then choose your separator (usually a space)
My bubble also had great fun learning how to move charts onto separate tabs and then exploring the best way to embed sheets onto our blogs. Here's what it looks like when you move a chart to its own sheet and then embed it:
Thanks for stopping by. Just clocking off from another awesome day of DFI.
Create
In terms of the Manaiakalani pedagogy, today we focused on hanga (create). Even though I've sat through this presentation (or something very similar)numerous times I'm always inspired by it and new ideas always jump out at me.
This video got me thinking about how we can make sure students want to be at school. As one person said while discussing his school experience, "I just wanted to be there." I'll definitely be watching to full version when I get the chance.
I'm also going to be digging into this blog post in the future. I was scanning it and the following paragraph jumped off the page and gave me a slap in the face. This pretty much summed up my current thinking about my role as a facilitator.
For all this what has been forgotten that it is the quality of the teacher that ensure such modern environments are conducive to learning; it’s the pedagogy, or teaching beliefs, that teachers hold is all important.
Media
Media is very much at the front of my brain at the moment after Term 4's Cybersmart focus on Smart Media. There were lots of good reminders in Dorothy's session about how how powerful it is to consume and create media.
I started thinking about what media I can create (or encourage other teachers to create) that will engage learners and help them make emotional connections. For example, this video made me feel quite emotional. It could be a good inspirational resource for our film festival this year, especially when students are thinking about who their audience is and what their main messages are...
Slides
The one post it note rule was a great reminder. If you're take home message doesn't fit on a post it note then you've got no chance. I think I've also fallen into the trap of reading my slides to people a few times lately so that was a timely nudge.
My new learning for today was adding GIFs to Google Slides after a good question for one teacher. This one is from Giphy.com.
I really enjoyed the create session I ran on pick-a-path slides. It was also a good chance to share the awesome work that Charlotte, Rita and Isabella did last week. You can check out their blog post here.
Another great day on DFI, this time focusing on workflow. I'm so excited about finding new ways to save a few clicks or a few seconds here and there. I'd also love to know how much time I'm saving myself on a yearly basis by using all these tips and tricks.
Ako -
It's always a great reminder hearing about amplifying and turbocharging the learning. This week Auckland has been back in lockdown and I've found it interesting to have a look at some of the class sites in the cluster. I'm so impressed with the amount of learning that is visible on some of the sites, especially as it's only week two of the year for some schools.
Google Keep -
I use Google Keep constantly and have it open alongside my Gmail. One thing I hadn't thought of doing is to have it open alongside a Google Doc so that I can add text directly form the Keep note to the Doc.
I also keep meaning to use the grab text and scribble features in Google Keep but never get round to it...
Gmail -
I have never heard of confidential mode before (even thought the icon is right there). I can't think of a situation where I'd need to use it at the moment but it's interesting to know it's there.
Taming the Tabs -
I've noticed teachers get very protective over their tab preferences. There are very strong allegiances to Team Toby and Team OneTab. It was good to see another option available that lets you create groups of tabs. It would be awesome if this was developed so that the groups were saved for future sessions.
I think all these tips and tricks have a time and a place, it's just figuring out which one suits a particular need most effectively.
This time last year I was starting the DFI as a participant. One DFI badge, two lockdowns, a switch to full time Education Programme Leader and a lot of Google Meets later I'm back as one of the coaches.
First things first, every member of my bubble was absolutely fantastic today and I'm so proud of them already. Lot's of great questions to keep me on my toes and some wonderful creations using Google Docs.
What stood out for me today is that you can never know everything. Even having done the DFI last year I still picked up lots of new tips and ideas today. Everyone is a teacher and everyone is a learner.
For example Dorothy's session on Google Groups made me think about how I use them with different people, especially when it comes to people replying to messages. Do they realise the messages have come through the Google Group and that everyone can see their replies? A conversation worth having.
Google Docs continues to impress and surprise. I'd never thought of sending a link to a specific heading in a Google Doc and I didn't realise that you could increase or decrease text size using command-shift-< or >
I think I'll try using Google Docs when I'm advertising the 2021 Ako Hiko Student Led Toolkits (check out last year's toolkits here #shamelessplug).
Today, before we took the Google exam, we heard Dorothy speak about the term ubiquitous. It was a great reminder that learning should be available:
Anytime
Anywhere
At any pace
(and from) anyone
This made me reflect on distance learning and whether we have achieved these goals. I agree with Dorothy that the dream of having rewindable learning available regardless of time or place has become a reality in the last few months. It's a credit to our teachers and leaders that students are coping with this way of working. But I'm also very aware that not all are students are engaged at this time. So what are the barriers that we still need to address moving forward?
Reflecting on the DFI on the whole I feel very privileged to have shared this experience with an amazing team of educators. I've learnt so much and feel so much more confident supporting other teachers with the content we have covered.
As a facilitator and now Education Programme Leader, I've also been able to up skill myself and start to be able to trouble shoot and help other people through their challenges.
Thanks to Gerhard, Dorothy and all the other facilitators and participants of this cohort. And good luck with the rest of the term and year!
Today we heard Dorothy talk about the term empowered. It was a good reminder around why we use this term rather than agency, which has so many negative connotations with some members of our communities. Every time I see this puzzle graphic I'm reminded how interlinked and co-dependant the terms empowered, visible, connected and ubiquitous are. One way of empowering our learners and our communities is by ensuring the other three parts of the puzzle are happening.
The fact that one third of learners in decile one communities are transient is something that I was very aware of while teaching at my previous school. Hearing this again today made me think about the Ako Hiko story and how important it is to capture this so that we can share it to new learners and whānau so that they can gain a deeper understanding of what the cluster is all about. Kerry's section on the Digital Technology Curriculum was very interesting and informative. We were gifted time to explore a plethora of resources. As Kerry said it is important that we are using a consistent language and teaching programming skills and fundamentals rather than individual coding platforms. The apps and sites will change over time but the language remains the same. A good glossary for me today includes: Input Output Sequence Iteration Selection Variables How confident are you with these terms? And not just confident in your own understanding but with your ability to use them with students?
These are all resources I found useful. CS Unplugged for the activities that might be perfect for distance learning and for students with limited internet access and Kia Takatū ā-Matihiko for the self-assessment tool that helped me see where I am at on my journey into the new curriculum.
In terms of my workflow as a professional, I've spent some time in the last few weeks trying to create engaging, creative and fairly independent activities for students. Exploring these sites today helped me realise that there are already a vast array of resources out there and that maybe some of my time is better spent elsewhere (warning some of these sites are very, VERY addictive).
In the afternoon I had an awesome time creating a game with Scratch. By going through the process from start to finish I was able to appreciate the debugging process. Mistakes and failures are all part of learning and students need to be encouraged and support while solving problems and getting over these hurdles. Enjoy!
Today we heard Fiona share her expertise on all things Cybersmart. It was a good reminder to delve into the Cybersmart resources beyond smart learner, smart footprint and smart relationships (luckily I got a chance to do so on this very afternoon). I realised that in the last month or so I've focused a lot on the visible aspect of the Manaiakalani kaupapa, especially in terms of class sites and school websites. Fiona's session made me reflect more on the ubiquitous aspect. If the visibility is there and students have access to their learning (I realise some do not), what other barriers are there that might be preventing them from engaging in distance learning? It was a timely reminder to check in with leaders around whether Cybersmart is being taught in all classes and how teachers are embedding Cybersmart learning into their existing programmes.
...
Gerhard's session on Chromebooks was really interesting. I've been using a Chromebook as my primary device through necessity but now I can see how valuable it has been as I am fluent and comfortable with the device. Having said that, I still learnt a lot of new shortcuts during the Digital Dig. For example:
search-l to lock my screen
ctrl-l to copy the contents of the omnibox.
In the afternoon we were able to make a Screencastify based on the content of one of the Cybersmart areas. I chose Smart Surfing and created this summary.
Kia ora. Today we focused on 'Connected.' Dorothy made an excellent point about how hard it is to connect with someone who doesn't share. My thoughts immediately jumped to the Ako Hiko Google+ Community and the Ako Hiko Blog, both of which need a bit of an update and a push.
Gerhard's slides around Google Sites had some great reminders. I like this quote by Rebecca Jessen:
And this slide is a great visual for explaining the two main aspects of an effective site:
We were able to get feedback on our class sites (or for me the Ako Hiko Cybersmart site) and were then gifted time to work on them. Based on Rebecca Jessen's quote and on feedback from my peers I decided to focus on making sure the site:
Had multiple texts to support each lesson
Used multimodal texts to engage students
Had a choice of different create tasks for learners
Here is the Cybersmart page. As ever it is a work in progress.
Distance learning at its finest today as we looked at 'tohatoha' or 'share.' I loved Dorothy's idea about your audience being the people who CHOOSE to listen to you. This resonated with me, especially in the current climate. The students who are choosing to access their learning via Google Sites and connecting with their teachers via Google Meet are the audience. So how do we reach and engage the students who are not choosing to check in? Or can't? The deep dives into MyMaps and Google Sheets were very interesting today. These are two areas that I'm not as confident with. It was then challenging to lead a group on Google Sheets but I feel much more confident now than I did at the start of the day in both areas.
I used MyMaps to create this map of the schools in my cluster with some options for walking (I wish), riding or driving between them. I learnt how to add new layers, which had previously confused me, and change icons as well as calculating distances and areas. I'm also planning on creating a pepeha using MyMaps. I need to keep using Google Sheets to become more confident with what I've learnt. Turns out I knew some of the trickier parts like conditional formatting and filter views but had missed some basic tricks like resizing columns, date formatting and locking columns and rows. I will definitely be using the Google Sheet activity where students create graphs to show their blogging activity. This will be especially interesting with the Summer Learning Journey and distance learning. And a huge shout out to Dorothy, Gerhard, the other facilitators and participants for making this unique learning experience happen! Ka pai!
Today we talked about create. It was interesting to reflect on why creativity stops being valued as students move form Kindergarten to primary and then high school. It also made me think about how often teachers have the opportunity to be genuinely creative? How can our use of technology free up enough time or teach us new tools to allow for greater teacher creativity? I've always loved this quote from John Dewey. Definitely something to keep in mind when planning. I also like the reminder that there is no upper limit when we are creating, especially when we talk about differentiating and extending students. The doc that was created by Manaiakalani is a great reminder (sorry that I keep saying reminder) of the range of different create activities that are out there. When we covered YouTube I learnt how to make my channel unlisted (can't be searched for) by going to: studio - settings - upload defaults then basic for visibility and advanced for disabling comments I also learnt how to embed playlist in a Google Site and how to stream live from my webcam.
Google Drawing is a tool I am very familiar with but I still learnt a few new tips like using the zoom and curve tools when tracing an image. Also I'd forgotten about the replace image function. And my shortcut of the day: ctrl + shift + arrows to send objects forwards or backwards.
It was really interesting listening to Dorothy explain how she plans and creates her Google Slides presentations. I love the idea of thinking about 'What's my story?' and if I can't fit the take home messages onto a post-it note then I need to rethink my presentation. Then while playing with Google Slides I got more confident creating my own slide decks (with the help of Slides Carnival) by clicking on: slide - edit master - attribute I can now edit slides other people have made (and of course give them credit). And I was able to create an animation and pick-a-path style quiz...
