Discussing Computational Thinking and 'playing' with Sphero

Hancine started our Connected Rotorua session by showing us a very interesting video on 'Computational Thinking'...

There is also a free course available for educators through 'Google' to help with integrating 'Computational Thinking' into the curriculum.

It was great to be around educators who knew that Computational Thinking is about problem solving...

Getting an explanation from Neil on how 'sphero' works...

Having a play while being talked through by Shaun...

Photo Credit: Sue Winters (Ngā Pūmanawa e Waru)

~ "There's nothing magical about any tech tool. Real magic rests in the minds and hearts of teachers using digital tools to introduce students to new individuals, ideas and opportunities." - Unknown ~

Future Focused Learning (using symbaloo as Self Regulated Learning tool)

One of my responsibilities as Learning Facilitator for Ngā Pūmanawa e Waru is to organise the termly Connected Rotorua meetings.

I was lucky enough to have one of my Ngā Pūmanawa e Waru colleagues, Wendy Stafford, willing to present on the following:

Plan a lesson / unit for Future Focused Learning (using symbaloo as Self Regulated Learning tool) Incorporating:
- Key Competencies
- Thinking Tools (SMART Goals, De Bono's Hats. KWHL. etc.)
- Assessment Tools (SOLO, Blooms Taxonomy, etc)

Here is what Symbaloo offers:
"Creating a Lesson Plan
You can use Symbaloo Lesson Plans to create a gaming-style virtual lesson plan using the best educational resources. Tile by tile, create pathways for students so they may learn at their own speed. You’re able to change the route of the path by adjusting the arrows in any direction when creating tiles. Simply add videos, documents, questions, articles, and educational games that guide students through custom learning paths from start to finish." (Symbaloo)

"Personalizing Lesson Plans
Not every student learns at the same pace. Some students require additional explanation on a particular topic and some simply need additional challenges.
By adding questions to your Lesson Plan, you can test whether the student has understood the material. If the student answers the question correctly, they are able to continue. With an incorrect answer, you have the ability to write in an explanation for the student as to why their answer is incorrect before having a second attempt at the question.
Students will learn the material at their own speed. There is also the ability to add in additional learning material around the pathway for students to have further explanations." (Symbaloo)

"Real-time Statistics
Built-in analytics tools gather insightful data and improve learning outcomes, while students enjoy an engaging learning environment.
How long has a student been working on each step? What questions were often answered incorrectly, and who needs extra help? The built-in grading tool helps students and teachers evaluate and archive results from multiple lesson plans." (Symbaloo)

Some of the attendants having a 'play'...

~ "You can teach a student a lesson for a day, but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives. " 

- Clay P. Bedford ~

Sandpit with Google Classroom at Connected Rotorua

What a fantastic turn out for our session on using Google Classroom as a structure to support Future Focused Learning, with staff from nine out of the [current] twenty Ngā Pūmanawa e Waru schools attending.

Hancine and I came prepared with our presentation slides, but with the number of attendees, decided to change 'the plan' and Hancine quickly sussed out that the knowledge were in the room.

There were many new faces and we got underway with the usual introductions, whereafter people that felt comfortable, took up the role of leading a small group in setting up and using Google Classroom. The collaboration among our educators were great.

If you are interested in learning more about Google tools for the classroom have a look at Monica's Google Site 101. Thank you for sharing this, Anne.

A warm thank you to all who attended the session on a wet Friday afternoon/evening.

~ "Everyone you will ever meet knows something your don't." - Bill Nye ~

Future Focussed Learners and GAFE at Connected Rotorua

In the first Connected Rotorua meeting for 2016 the following topics have been discussed:

1. Engaging future focussed learners in an Authentic Rotorua context

2. GAFE (keeping the learner at the center)

We were fortunate to have had Hancine and Helen leading the discussions and it was a privilege to be MC on behalf of the Ngā Pūmanawa e Waru Learning Team.

      ~ When dealing with children there is greater need for observing than of probing” 
                                                      - Maria Montessori ~

'RTC Ready'

Connected Rotorua had a great start to the year with Shaun sharing his knowledge on how to manage evidence for the Registered Teacher Criteria.

He shared these Registered Teacher Criteria (RTC) Reference Sites

• New Zealand Teachers Council Registered Teacher Criteria
• TKI Registered Teachers Criteria and e-learning: unpack the 12 criteria and provide elearning examples.

Shaun has been using Google Slides to collect evidence for his RTC. I've used his Google Slides since 2012 and personally find this to be a valuable tool [to use] to collect my evidence. It is also easy to hyperlink particular posts from my blog, which I tag (label) with the RTC.

Two other examples of how blog posts are tagged (labelled) with RTC are from Shaun & Annemarie.

There is also a template in Google Sites, created by Leigh Hynes to use. Watch this video on how to find this template.

More RTC Templates

• MyPortfolio RTC one page template
• Word document RTC self assessment tool with questions to ask yourself and space for written reflections.

And then last, but not least using SOLO Rubrics by Pam Hook to self assess RTC.

~ "If you have a candle, the light won't glow any dimmer if I light yours off of mine."

- Steven Tyler ~

Connected Rotorua - Last meeting for 2014

We kicked of our last meeting with Sara, talking to us about Excel Rotorua and how we as Connected Rotorua teachers can connect with them.  We are really excited to be able to be part of this project.

We also had some 'nibbles' to get the conversation going... 

Then, Tanya introduced us to 'Binary Code' which is a coding system using the binary digits 0 - 1 to represent a letter, digit or other character.  All computer language is based in binary code. Thus, when you learn most types of computer programming, you will touch upon the subject of binary numbers. Who knew?

Tanya used cards to explain the pattern of  even and odd.  She also challenge us with the question "What is the biggest number you can represent using 8 bits in binary?" Hmmm....

We were introduced to ASCII and started crafting some binary messages, using... stickers, paper and pens!

Although one had to be onto it, it turned out to be an afternoon of great fun of CS Unplugged magic tricks, binary counting and coded messages.

~ "Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon" - Paul Brandt ~

Tweeting & Blogging at Connected Rotorua meeting

The theme for our fifth Connected Rotorua meeting was Tweeting & Blogging.  

The evening started with Alex, sharing her "The Twittersphere - How do I get involved" presentation. She explained what twitter is and why you should use twitter as an educator.  To help people get started on twitter, she also shared a list of her favourite NZ and International Tweachers.

Annemarie then discussed the protocol and security of blogging.  We were reminded that our school owns intellectual property - even the student blogs.

The evening concluded with me, talking about using Kidblog with NE & Year 1 students as an ePortfolio.  I ensure we tag posts, which makes it easy to monitor progress over time and also to use as additional information for OTJ's.

I also talked briefly about my students' participation in KidsedchatNZ, a twitter chat for NZ schools .  I am not letting the fact that some of my students are still learning to read and write hold us back to participate. To overcome this 'barrier', I organise parent help for our participation.  Tweets are projected on the SmartBoard, which we read out loud, students respond to questions and a parent types it for them.

My last 'tip' for the evening was that if you have a personal blog, tag your posts with the appropriate RTC 1-12 as evidence that you meet the criteria to be a Fully Registered Teacher in NZ.

~ "Most great learning happens in groups. Collaboration is the stuff of growth" 

- Sir Ken Robinson ~

It's all about contribution

It was another successful Friday afternoon for our Connected Rotorua Teachers, when we came together for our twice a term PL&D meeting.

Having teachers attending such an opportunity on a Friday afternoon, just shows the dedication we have towards our profession and the desire to learn more on how to make learning meaningful for our learners and for ourselves in the process.

We had wonderful discussions around using iPads in education and the administrative 'challenges' around them.  We also shared our ideas around the usefulness of some apps.  However, I want to emphasis again, that it is not about the app or the use of technology, but about how it can enhance learning and the learning outcomes around this.

I came away enriched from meaningful conversations and it was heart-warming to receive this acknowledgement from the Excel Rotorua e-Learning Community.  

Thank you to all the attendees for a productive evening! 

~ "Don't cheat the world of your contribution. Give it what you've got. - Steven Pressfield ~

Professional Learning Planning

I am privilege to be co-organiser of the Connected Rotorua Teachers and the yearly Educamp Rotorua. Therefore Annemarie and I spent our Waitangi day, planning this two professional learning opportunities for teachers and we are looking forward to collaborate with teachers who are interested in learning with Digital Technologies on a regular basis.

Resources:

The Connected Rotorua Presentation is a work in progress of topics to be discussed :



Educamp Rotorua Smackdown:


Thank you to everyone attending Educamp Rotorua and for all the contributions to the Smackdown.  I thoroughly enjoyed learning alongside everyone and am grateful for new connections made.


~ "We  are not 'just' teachers, we are the managers of the world's greatest resource: Children!" -                                                               Robert Johan Meehan ~

Exciting times ahead

Next year will see me with a year filled with new learning.

As part of my CORE eFellowship, I will be involved in my inquiry/research/learning/work about the Pedagogy and Learning in a NE/Year 1 classroom and I am looking forward to this exciting fellowship I've joined!

2014 will also see me training as a Reading Recovery Teacher, which will enable me to deliver intensive one to one instruction to 6 year old students having difficulty with literacy learning. 

I will also be involved in the Connected Rotorua Teachers group with our aim to start a professional learning network based in Rotorua.  

Exciting times ahead to building connections, inquire, learn, grow and inspire!