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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