DFI Session 3 - Media

Talofa lava bloggers!

Through the magic of Google Meet, I enjoyed today's DFI session from the comfort of my own home and it was delightful! If I weren't a teacher, I'd be all about this WFH (work from home) stuff!

This morning Dorothy spoke on the 'Create' element of Manaiakalani's Learn, Create, Share pedagogy. For many educators, opportunities for students to create were lost when National Standards came about. A statement that seems quite strange when you think about how creativity develops collaboration, communication and problem solving skills in our young people. All skills prioritised by our curriculum, might I add. BUT! With National Standards out, now is a perfect time for teachers themselves to get creative (with their lesson plans) and provide students with the opportunities and resources to create, create, create! 🎨🎉
It was also interesting to learn that the Learn, Create, Share model does not have to be used in that set order.  'Create' can, and in many cases should, be the vehicle through which students access the learning, not just the end product or outcome. 

Other things covered in today's session included YouTube, Google Drawing and Google Slides. Creating a Youtube channel wasn't something I'd ever seen the need to do but after today's 'Chalk n Talk' I can see why it would be beneficial in the classroom. So much so that I have set up playlists and started compiling videos to add to the resources for the concept my junior team is looking at this term. At the moment I share YouTube videos with my students through slide decks embedded in our class site, but having all of the relevant videos in the one playlist could be a more efficient way for students to access them.

Google Drawing is something I've used quite a lot since my Ako Hiko Orientation Day with Gerhard last year. I love using it to create buttons and banners for my class site. Today we used it to create a little 'All About Me' button to add to our blog (see top right (and have a guess as to what my favourite colour is 😅)).

Google Slides is another programme I use a lot in my classroom already. However, I'd never created an animation using Slides before. Vicki ran a mini-workshop where she explained the ins and outs of doing this and I cannot wait to teach my students how to do it! Being in a 1:1 iPad class I would have to have a play around with how Google Slides works on the iPads first. Past lockdown experiences have taught me that the iPad app versions of these Google programmes can be quite a bit more difficult to use than their MacBook counterparts. Fingers crossed it will be reasonably easy for my little ones to navigate and eventually create their own animations on. In the meantime, check out the animation I made today! 😁

 

Have you used Google Slides on iPads with your students? I'd love to hear any tips and tricks you might have! 😊