Reflection day 5 digital intensive

Today we focussed on google keep and google sites. I have had experience with both of these applications in 2017, however, I was still interested in learning new functions and understanding the good practice.

One of the best tips I gained from today were from google keep. I learned how to grab image text from google keep. I can see many practical ways this could be used, especially with those teachers new to using digital technologies in their teaching.

In the second part of the day, we looked at using new sites. I have already made many new sites over the past year and I am currently switching my teaching site from classic to new. What I did enjoy was the idea of a multi-modal site to engage learners and give opportunities for different learning styles. This is going to be in my mind when developing units of work for my learners.

This is a screenshot of a multi-modal website collaborated on today

Here is the link to the site  link

Inquiry 2018 Re think

After much thought, I have decided to change my focus in 2018

I would like to focus on engaging whanau through student blogging.

The reason for this is that after two years of teaching at Papakura High I have a hunch that student engagement could be linked to whanau involvement in their learning because by the fact that whanau is taking active involvement student motivation to learn will increase. Visibility, as well as comments, will help drive this.

The reason for the change is that it relates to my role working in Kootuitui as a facilitator. As of this moment, I have set up 250 student blog accounts within Papakura High School. Almost all Year 9 and 10 students have a blog account.

Last week I set up a blog website so staff and students can get ideas on what quality blogging will look like. I would like to thank colleagues within Manaiakalani for allowing me to use some of the resources

Blogging website


Next week I intend to start on a staff meeting on quality blogging. I will be asking for support from some of the teachers within the school. I will attempt to tie this in with another literacy initiatives already happening.

Next term I will look to engage whanau on how they can support their children's learning. this will include how to comment and access their child's blog.

There are many people who I will need to work closely with in this inquiry and I see this as a long-term inquiry that could cover a couple of years.

Fortunately, I have a lot of models with my colleagues in Manaiakalani and I am already looking for previous inquiries to get ideas.