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.