Manaiakalani Reflection Week 8      Computational Thinking

Definition - Computational thinking involves taking that complex problem and breaking it down into a series of small, more manageable problems (decomposition). ... Next, simple steps or rules to solve each of the smaller problems can be designed (algorithms).

Well I've had to do a great deal of computational thinking and problem solving during the last 8 weeks with my DFI Professional Learning Development. To be honest I have questioned myself more than once whether or not I was up to providing the type of education our tamariki need to move forward in this new world where digitally fluency is a must have. What kept me motivated and determined to push through was the underpinning pedagogy of Manaiakalani Learn, Create, Share. 

The idea that I wasn't just up skilling in how to use another teaching tool but I was  transforming the way my students would learn in my class was really motivating for me.I have believed for a long time that it is our students educational RIGHT to expect to be digitally savvy by the time they leave school. All very easy to say when I thought I wasn't going to return to the classroom, now I have to become part of the solution and not continue to be part of the problem!  

So, I have come to the end of my Manaiakalani PLD Google Classes and as much as I am relieved, I now really want to go back, knowing what I know and start again. Luckily for me I can - rewind, ano!!!  I will be revisiting the toolkits and the amazing resources that Manaiakalani Team have generously shared.  

The anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach has disappeared and I'm not afraid to 'tutu' and problem solve for myself. I now have the basic skills of blogging, class websites, google sheets, forms, doc's, slides, Wevideo and apps to help nurture deeper level thinking and action using the digital Learn, Create, Share approach. My attempt to create a game using Scratch today was not one of my better moments. 

I am determined to continue to transform the way I plan and present my teaching using these skills. Watch this space.!

 Manaiakalani DFI Week 7 - Reflections

Unfortunately, due to our current situation with Lock Down at Level 4 and 3 and then moving into Level 2 in Week 7 I was unable to attend my DFI, PLD as I was back in the classroom teaching. As this was my first experience working during a Lock Down period I found the whole process quite unnerving. Providing old school hard copy Home Learning Booklets for my students was easy, the rest of the online teaching and learning not so easy. So on my return to school, I was still feeling uncertain and worried about the situation of entering the class in Level 2. At the same time I couldn't wait to get back to some normality and familiarity. I realised I enjoy the face to face aspect of teaching young people. I thrive on the 'hands-on' approach to teaching, however, I appreciate and understand more than ever the ubiquitous nature that Manaiakalani pedagogy promotes.  For me as a teacher I really get what it means now, to have that ability to reach our tamariki no matter what life may throw at us.

 DFI - Reflection Week 6

After last Friday's DFI PD, I think I was suffering from "Digital Depression." When I realised that the work I thought I had added to my class site wasn't active or even visible. So I was back to square one and figuring out where I'd gone wrong before I went digitally crazy. I definitely suffered from digital brain shut down!

Luckily, I rediscovered my digital mojo and put together some engaging Topic and Writing Lessons using g.slides. I also over came some frustrating technical moments with g.sheets and put together a report table for the tamariki to access and use to complete their Mana Enhancing Reports. So that helped turn my digital sad face  into a digital happy face.     

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 DFI Reflections - Week 5.    Collaborate.

A simple definition of 'collaborate' is to work with someone to achieve a goal or common purpose. Of course in reality this can be much more complex and difficult to achieve than it would seem. When I first started teaching, teachers tended to work as a single cell and depending on the school culture determined if or when any sharing occurred at all. As you can image, at times it was be isolating and ones resources were limited. I know this world of collaboration has been around for awhile but after recently returning to teaching I find this digital collaboration exciting and empowering. I loved the up skilling I did today with the Manaiakalani Team. For me with a little more practice and time these skills will be liberating not only for myself but more importantly for my learners.  

Lockdown Reflections.

 I have just completed a tutorial with Cheryl Torrie learning about WeVideo. I have really enjoyed the various toolkit presentations that the Manaiakalani Team have put together for us during this lockdown period. It has felt a little overwhelming, however, these extra tutorials and accompanying slides have been excellent for the digitally challenged like myself. For me the whole concept of 'rewindable learning' is really coming into play with my own learning and trying to get up to speed. Due to our present situation the relevance and importance for this DFI up skilling has really been emphasised. So what have I been up to? I have become more confident with adding material to my class site and blog, using google slides, facebook and I have explored various online resources eg. Stepsweb. 

   

 DFI Reflection Week 3 - Manaiakalani Media Agenda

Creativity is not about doing something better than others, it is about thinking, exploring, discovering and imaging - Kohl 2008.

Creativity in traditional forms song, dance, art, culture etc and using digital technologies MakerSpace, digital art and design, movie making, animation, coding etc... to Create to Learn.

How do we create and maintain an environment of learning that is conducive to promoting creative, divergent thinking.

Sight, Sound, Motion - SiSoMo.

DFI Reflection Week 2 - Manaiakalani Work Space

 

Manaiakalani Day 2 - Workflow.

I felt more relaxed and confident to enter and moving about during this workshop which is an improvement in its self. Oops, spoke too soon I completely lost my way during the recording session but fortunately for me I had two supportive digital buddies Ocea and Vicki. Thank you to you both for helping me to problem solve and swim in this Digital Ocean or at least doggy paddle.  

• What did I learn that increased my understanding of Manaiakalani kaupapa and pedagogy?

• Once again this was further affirmation for me that Manaiakalani kaupapa reinforces and builds upon the kaupapa that I work in, in my own professional life. Theory wise it ticks many of the boxes for me. I need to increase my knowledge base so that I can turn theory into actions.

• What does the Learn look like at YOUR school?

•  All four of our mainstream classes at Riverdale are all luckily enough to be involved with Manaiakalani which is helping us develop a consistent approach across the school in terms of what the Learning Looks like at our kura. We have a strong 'value based' mantra of developing active connected learners that are caring, honest and respectful. Underpinning these values are our overarching goals for our kura, which is, to demonstrate cultural diversity, to be stronger together and to aim high in our achievements. We are building on our students self directed learning and agency by developing programmes like 'Infinity Maps' and 'Mana Enhancing' reporting, where the tamariki talk about their goals and next step learning. The skills that the tamariki and our staff are learning through the Manaiakalani programme fits perfectly with this approach.

• What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow as a professional?

• All the tricks and tips are all very helpful and appreciated.

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

• Apart from the many digital organisational tips that will not only be useful for myself but also my students the recording and embedding tutorial will probably be the most valuable.

• All the tricks and tips will be very valuable for teacher and students alike.  

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

• It's all about work for me at present.