Mauri Ora Manaiakalani (Wiki 6)

This session has probably been the deepest dive I've done yet. One thing I've forgotten to mention in previous posts is that I like that the agenda for DFI delivers the content through various types of sessions- levelling up, chalk n talk, explore etc. Certainly keeps me on my digital toes.

On Sites

I'm so thankful to those teachers and schools who've opened up their learning sites for the world to see. The cosmetics, aesthetics and content is awesome - a massive contribution. New learning for me was knowing the difference between embedding and linking. 

Some of my students were restricted from viewing our new site... a little frustrating. At first I thought it was a problem with my settings in sites - all but 8 students can view it with no problems. I'm thankful for the support (Maria K) 

Anyway, loved adding backgrounds and playing around with buttons. I'm happy with the layout, but the "content" needs to be sorted. I need to load up on snacks in this weeks shopping - I'm predicting some late nights over the next two weeks. 

On sites evaluation: 

What a helpful tool. It's great seeing all the ideas and critiques pooled into one handy doc. This allowed me to look carefully at my own site, and target some very specific goals. I liked looking at my own bubble's sites, especially since we're all teaching different year groups. You can see the difference in the way sites tend to look for primaries, as opposed to secondaries. 

On multimodal:  I need to refer to the rewindables to grab some ideas. Now, time to nab some time.

He mihi kau ana ki te paepae o Manaiakalani. Rū ana te roro.  Mihi atu ki te mirumiru miharo o Amy Tofu. Nā te mirumiru nai au i tiaki. Tēnā koutou katoa. 

Mauri Ora Manaiakalani (Week 5)

 He rawe rawa atu tēnei akoranga mō te wā. He maha ngā pūkenga hei mau me ngā mātauranga e hāngai ana ki te ao matihiko. Kua kii taku roro (phew) ā tino miharo te ao hangarau. 

Thanks for another intense session of learning how to create online spaces that are functional accessible and available for our learners. Enjoyed Dorothy Burt's mātauranga around visibility. As teacher's we know the frustration of having to get access to knowledge that you know is there, you know you need it, but you need a code or password from the tech guy or girl whose next visit is scheduled for next week. One week in teacher time in the digital world is equivalent to one term. 

On Sites: Quite interesting to compare Hapara and Sites - one is appropriate and suitable for sharing and viewing 'learner's learning, whilst the other is equipped for sharing and viewing the 'teacher's' teaching.  Very handy indeed

Had fun navigating around in Sites. I've seen a shift from the x gen to z gen in the way those older sites function and look cosmetically. Who would have thought reading, writing and maths would ever be featured as buttons on a website.

On Jamboard: I've seen the jamboard logo in the drive grid. Now I know how I might use it. If there was just one upgrade for google to consider - it would be to add a link function, otherwise - yes, I like. 

On labels: Another really cool little quick access tool. I kind of got lost in the sharing part because I was busy trying to build my site. 

We are certainly competing for our learner's attention, against gaming, social media, etc, so I guess the more engaging (pretty and cool) and interactive we can make online learning spaces look, then we have a shot. 

Tēnā koe e Amy mō tō kaha ki te manaaki i a mātou bubble. 

Mauri Ora Manaiakalani (Wiki 4)

Nei rā anō te mihi ki a mātou nei kaimahi kua whakawhanake ake i mātou. Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro nōnā te ngāhere, ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga nōnā te ao. Tō mātou waimārie.

I've just realised how much I enjoy online learning as opposed to face to face interaction. Yes yes I know, there are myriads of posts out there highlighting the importance of physical interaction and sharing your space with others 'in person', but honestly, I don't mind meeting and learning from this side of my screen. I don't know how delivering content  online all day would go though. A very intensive session indeed. 

On Google Sheets. I remember the first time I used Microsoft  spreadsheets a thousand years ago - having to analyse our personal family savings over years wasn't so tedious compared to recording dates and totals in a ledger book.  Today we have super smart functions eg: 'insert chart' which has a range of speedy organisational tools and quick enhancing features.  I never really used Google Sheets for much other than financial related data - until I saw a friend using it to create tukutuku patterns for a korowai.  Tukutuku using Google Docs (by Cher Pahi)

Although I think I am pretty much up to play with Google Sheets, but it's always good to have a refresher. 

The functions available are incredible. I absolutely love the sharing ability that GSuite tools and apps have.  

On Blogger: 

Never thought to have my students create and analysis chart about their blog posts data using Google Sheets. Great activity.  Why Blogger? Functional and effective... 

• no distractions on the interface for students
• hassle free sign in because it's all connected to G suite, 
• can check up, check in and check over all student posts.
• a roll down feature down the side - reaches a wide audience. 
• supports a Cybersmart Curriculum, to make smart sharers, and learn to behave in real time.

On Forms: 

We use forms for all sorts of learning, and my students have created lots of forms for each other. We've had discussions around how our forms should be filed. Some liked to file in topic folders, others collated all forms together and all docs. Off topic - I'm still learning to keep my own filing system in order.  

What I came away with:  Sharing power has the power to open doors beyond doors and don' t forget to enable 'share.' so others can access your resources.