ka timata ahau...
29/10/15: Nau mai, Haere mai - Welcome. This is the first week of the Connected Educator #EdblogNZ wero or challenge that is being facilitated by Nathaniel Louwrens. There are three blogger levels and three tasks per level to complete each week. I've assigned myself' the role of 'Casual Blogger' and my wero for this week follow:
1. Think about your teaching practice. How has it evolved over time? What are you currently developing in your practice. What tools have helped you during this inquiry time?
2. Who are some legendary bloggers, educators, inspiring leaders that help you to dream bigger?
3. Encourage a colleague/friend to begin blogging and help them set up their own blog.
1. Think about your teaching practice. How has it evolved over time? What are you currently developing in your practice. What tools have helped you during this inquiry time?
2. Who are some legendary bloggers, educators, inspiring leaders that help you to dream bigger?
3. Encourage a colleague/friend to begin blogging and help them set up their own blog.
week 1 Tasks
MLP...or effective pedagogy?
Cross-posted and adapted from http://virtualicteltpd.ning.com/profiles/blogs/angelwita2tude-a-year-to-be-grateful
If I think reflectively about my VPLD learning journey thus far, I do believe it has taken the shape of a steep bell curve and over time 'the goal posts' have moved. A number of external factors have certainly contributed to this change as I will soon explain.
The year 2015 started off 'as every year does at school' with lots of excitement and sheer determination to get back into the classroom. I was accepted on the VPLD programme, thanks also to the support of my boss and life was good. With Mr B, the longest standing Principal of New Zealand at our helm, the E.P.S whanau were destined yet again for a great first term. That we thoroughly did enjoy. Then Mr B retired and with that announcement came a change of Principal and over a term a change too, in our school leadership structure.
The goal that I set earlier this year alongside my mentor Rick, have also taken a turn, moreso for the better. Although I had planned to have my twenty three Y5-Y6 students blog with another local class, we have instead entered with them into class Twitter and joined both KidsconnectBOP and KidsedchatNZ. It would be nice for students to run their own twitter sessions however, 'it's early days', the challenge of typing just 140 characters with punctuation and spelling accuracy remains and scaffolding is still needed at this time.
If I think reflectively about my VPLD learning journey thus far, I do believe it has taken the shape of a steep bell curve and over time 'the goal posts' have moved. A number of external factors have certainly contributed to this change as I will soon explain.
The year 2015 started off 'as every year does at school' with lots of excitement and sheer determination to get back into the classroom. I was accepted on the VPLD programme, thanks also to the support of my boss and life was good. With Mr B, the longest standing Principal of New Zealand at our helm, the E.P.S whanau were destined yet again for a great first term. That we thoroughly did enjoy. Then Mr B retired and with that announcement came a change of Principal and over a term a change too, in our school leadership structure.
The goal that I set earlier this year alongside my mentor Rick, have also taken a turn, moreso for the better. Although I had planned to have my twenty three Y5-Y6 students blog with another local class, we have instead entered with them into class Twitter and joined both KidsconnectBOP and KidsedchatNZ. It would be nice for students to run their own twitter sessions however, 'it's early days', the challenge of typing just 140 characters with punctuation and spelling accuracy remains and scaffolding is still needed at this time.
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The recent changes to our class infrastructure now mean we have 10 mini iPads, 15 chrome books and fibre up and running effectively in our two-classroom block. I am introducing Google docs with ease, students are loving the connectivity and engagement and in Term 4 we begin quadblogging and mystery Skype.
We also have two big screens and an Apple TV. Storage, management and planned workflow of devices is currently 'systems in progress'. I'm thinking seriously of moving out a lot of the traditional desks we have as students are finding their own workspaces on the floor, in alcoves, at benches, or basically anywhere they feel comfortable learning with the devices.
We also have two big screens and an Apple TV. Storage, management and planned workflow of devices is currently 'systems in progress'. I'm thinking seriously of moving out a lot of the traditional desks we have as students are finding their own workspaces on the floor, in alcoves, at benches, or basically anywhere they feel comfortable learning with the devices.
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I have a sound pedagogical base and I want students to understand the eLPF or e-Learning Planning Framework and the SAMR model. I am also in awe of the growth mindset that comes with the effective integration of technology and my students are thriving immensely on this kind of thinking and learning. In retrospect, I would ideally love to work collaboratively in a 1:1 Y5-Y6 class next year and so I have subtly voiced this request.
Conclusively, my role as a classroom teacher is moving into that of a facilitator and I am so ready for this. My practice and pedagogical understandings are destined to change. I'm not quite sure where we are going and how we'll get there, but that's ok because it's all about the journey. We are pumped and totally excited!
Conclusively, my role as a classroom teacher is moving into that of a facilitator and I am so ready for this. My practice and pedagogical understandings are destined to change. I'm not quite sure where we are going and how we'll get there, but that's ok because it's all about the journey. We are pumped and totally excited!
Legendary educators
I have a very long list of like-minded leaders who I follow and of whom I also categorise, based on my interests of/with them. Viewing blogs is not something I tend to do anymore unless a post is mentioned on twitter or 'I am in need information'. My twitter whanau is however extensive and includes @keriattamatea, @ariaporo, @MRsalakas, @Kaiakowilson @Teachburgess, @MorganNgata, @Wahine1st, @droppedthechalk, @stuartkellynz, @EdNZ, @heymrshay, @steve_trotter, @mrshyde, lesal38...and my list goes on...
get a friend to blog too...
I have just tweeted my good friend and colleague @lesal38 twice hoping she will jump on board with this mission. She's a casual blogger who is probably enjoying the holidays right now.
Week 2: tasks
an educational challenge
I'm currently writing this at ULearn with @lesal38 and it is 7.15am - the morning of day two. The breakout sessions that I attended yesterday highlight my interest in MLP and effective pedagogy, ie: where I am heading alongside my students.
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We utilise two major devices and I am thinking about workflow systems, ergonomic furniture and the mindshift changes that are happening for myself as the classroom teacher and my students. To further my thinking the key question is: How might my colleagues in leadership come on board with this kaupapa?
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I have a number of subsidiary questions that I am also pondering:
1. How might I maintain a balance for students between the use of devices and class life?
2. What foundation will my students and their whanau need to support them on this journey?
3. How might I continue to track what is happening in our classroom?
1. How might I maintain a balance for students between the use of devices and class life?
2. What foundation will my students and their whanau need to support them on this journey?
3. How might I continue to track what is happening in our classroom?
It's now 4.45pm on the same day and the last breakout session that Lesa and I attended was based on designing innovative learning environments with Mark Osborne. Wow! There so much to learn and know. I really did enjoy what Mark had to share and will soon post a Storify here to support the re-learning I have just encountered.
Find an older blog post & consider your thinking...
Defining my 'third space' is a daily task very 'close to my heart'. I am a bit of an early bird who thrives on planning and organisation and so this kaupapa continues to work for me. I like to REFLECT on what I think and do, REST (at times too when the thinking becomes 'hard or what I considerable unbearable' - so letting it go to the universe works)...and RESET..sometimes moving on.
Ulearn 'selfies with bloggers'
My #connectedrotorua BF...@mrs_hyde
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@Phartesian & @Pohoira - ULearn Dinner
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@ariaporo22 - My Dojo buddy
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