DFI Day 8

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

Firstly, let's use the word 'empower' instead of 'agency'. The word 'agency' often has different connotations that we don't want attached to digital technology. After all, what comes to mind when you hear the word 'agency''??
Unfortuntely I missed the first 10 minutes of today's google hangout with Dorothy Burt due to my internet dropping in and out, but she reiterated the fact that the use of digital technology should redefine the way we learn and give experiences to children that they wouldn't otherwise receive. Digital technology has the power to transform children and the communities they live in. 
Dorothy took us on a tour around the community she worked in. It reminded me of my early teaching days in Waipukurau. It was the same situation she showed but for different reasons: transient students, low income families, decile 1 school.  Studies have shown these decile 1 school children hear 32 million words less than decile 10 students by the time they start school. The idea of 5+ a day takes on new meaning; if we can create a learning environment that allows students to engage in conversations that have at least 5 iterations, it will improve oral language, reading and writing skills. How can we do this? Sit in a circle and have a table tennis conversation with a minimum of 5 interactions between students. Blogs also give the students the opportunity to do exactly the same. Blogs are not just about posting and sharing - they're also about the discourse through commenting that connects our students to the art of conversing. This has shown to accelerate learning.

"Hand in glove", "salt and pepper", "fish 'n chips" - these just go together:

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

I created a google hangout (no way would I have ever had the confidence to do this two months ago!) with two teachers from Auckland, Chantal from Panmure Bridge School and Susan from Glen Taylor School. It's always so lovely to connect with others and hear their learning journey.
Going through the Digital Technology progress outcomes and leveling them with e-learning/ICT capabilities showed that you can’t equate the progress outcomes with year levels. Like anything, it depends how much the activity is scaffolded as to which progress outcome it falls under.

What did I learn that could be used with my learners?  
Tasks need to include problem solving, debugging, perseverance and resilience.

Algorithms are a step by step process in which students need to create, test and revise. Peseverance (through debugging) builds resilience in our students.  As Albert Einstein said, “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”
Our session on computational thinking at Mindlab was great fun. The programmer, tester, robot activity we did is something I have done with my class but it was hilarious being the student again. I loved the creative and smart thinking I heard ("First, take your blindfold off," was a classic). This activity was scaffolded:

• first, just let them do it!
• next time “How much talking did you do? Remember only the tester can talk!" Try again and swap roles. Tell them to think about the programme - set parameters at the start e.g. all turns will be right hand ¼ turns. For littlies just use arrow cards.
• then 3rd time switch programmes with another group and trial theirs. You can't change the langugae they used e.g. 1/4 right turn to 90 degrees right hand turn.

Students can co-construct the perimeters.

Lightbot - free app (for iPads. I using a chromebook - tweak your flash). Note to self - this was rather addictive!

Co-spaces - coding programme for students. Students can create their own story. Great to set a quick task e.g. create two characters, name them within specified time limit, then move onto someone elses creation. Set next task then move to someone elses masterpiece etc. This means the students aren't getting too attached to their own story and are also getting ideas from others. Try not to show too many of the elements co-spaces can do - let them explore and discover for themseves then teach each other.

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

In all apsects of my life, tasks include problem solving, debugging, perseverance and resilience! Just go with it and enjoy the ride!