Online Teaching WEEK 2

Distance Learning WEEK 2

KIA ORA

This is second week of online teaching.

In a synchronous virtual classroom, there are various options that are possible. The teacher can use their webcam so that the students can see them. The students can link up through the cameras on their phones, tablets or computers. Teachers can share videos on screen with the whole class watching. You can choose to use a combination of the three. Students can turn their mics on and off as you call on them to reduce background noise and interference.In synchronous classrooms the chat function can be incredibly useful. It can supplement video or audio input from the teacher (and students), with students typing their answers to questions in the chat box. The chat box is particularly useful for brainstorming activities, or concept check questions in presentations. It’s also good for quick warmers where students post short three or four-word answers to questions. Text is very common in asynchronous forum tasks. The teacher can set up a task and then students respond by posting a text. I am already using a coursebook for their face-to-face classes, and I am using same resource for their online classroom (Level 3 Biology). Students can use coursebook for their own learning.(e.g. reading texts, listening texts, writing tasks, language presentations). 

• can do on their own.
• need you, the teacher (e.g. clarifying concepts, correcting and upgrading language, giving feedback on assignments, general motivation and direction).  
• Use these decisions as a basis for structuring your classes. You may want to follow a flipped classroom approach, setting some individual tasks that need to be completed before a synchronous lesson so that you can build on them in your virtual classroom. Alternatively, you may want to use your “live” class to set up and explain the individual and group tasks that the students need to do after the lesson. Both approaches work well and your decision will depend on your students and your context.😁

Sometimes, teachers suddenly faced with the challenge of how to continue their students’ education. While this might seem a daunting task, there are several ways teachers can utilise the technology and resources already available to support online learning and ensure students still receive a quality education.     It’s important to note that there is no one size fits all when it comes to learning. Different       groups have different priorities and the resources that should be used are context dependent. There are also special considerations to think about for  students who might not have access to high-speed broadband.
However, teachers should take some comfort in the fact that there are hundreds of online resources to guide them as to how to teach online. We have rounded up some of the best here to help ease the transition from the classroom to the web.

‘I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.’ –       Albert Einstein

Week 7 Digital Fluency Influence Program DFI

 24 April 2020                                               AGENDA: DEVICES

This day focuses on the devices our young people use and we will experience Learn Create Share using Chrome books and iPads. Today we heard Fiona share her competence on all things Cybersmart. She explained very beautifully about Cybersmart learners. What are smart learners, who

• Understand and demonstrate responsible use of their device as described in the Kawa of Care Responsible Use Student Agreement
• Confidently navigate and harness their device and learning applications 
• Are mindful that being Cybersmart is staying up-to-date with our Cybersmart learning. 

To make the most of their Chromebook or iPad and Google Apps, Smart Learners follow the Kawa of Care and learn to use their device confidently and in clever ways to Learn Create Share. While each Cybersmart category has specific learning outcomes, how teachers engage learners  will be in response to the school community and interests of their learners. To empower learners it is critical that learning sites are visible and accessible and that learners are able to confidently navigate the site to access learning. Smart Learners' always know how to interact with others online and make smart decisions about what information has shared. 

They maintain positive and supportive online relationships and can make smart decisions about how and who they interact with online. Moreover, they understand what to do when something doesn’t seem right. And know what to do when things go wrong.

Gerhard's session on Chromebooks was really interesting. He explained how to use Chromebook simulator.How to Use the Chromebook Simulator. For example, to get started using the Chromebook simulator, fire up your browser, and head to the simulator’s homepage. From here, you can use the panel on the left to browse through the categories for a guide or click on one of the “Popular Topics” at the bottom of the page. You can even use the search bar to find what you want from the topics covered.






Our next session was on Screen Castify, and it was fabulous. Maria explained what is screen castify and how to use it. Screencastify is a Chrome extension used by people to easily record, edit, and share videos. It is especially popular with teachers who make screencasts and webcam recordings to share with students. Link how to use screen castify.




"Select teaching approaches, resources, and learning and assessment activities based on a thorough knowledge of curriculum content, pedagogy, progressions in learning and the learners."

"Gather, analyse and use appropriate assessment information, identifying progress and needs of learners to design clear next steps in learning and to identify additional supports or adaptations that may be required."

Earth Day (22 April)

                                  EARTH DAY

22 April is Earth Day. While the coronavirus (COVID-19) has been spreading around the world and dominating news headlines, thoughts and attention, the need to take climate action has remained as urgent as ever.




By the end of 2020, global CO2 emissions need to have dropped by 7.6 per cent and continue to fall by 7.6 per cent each year for us to have kept global heating under 1.5 degree, according to the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Emissions Gap Report 2019.

Earth day 2020 is not just the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, but also the anniversary of the signing of the Paris Agreement to take climate action.

Background on Earth Day
The first Earth Day took place in 1970. Outraged by oil spills, smog and polluted rivers, 20 million people took to the streets, protesting what they recognised as an environmental crisis. It was the planet’s largest civic event at the time and compelled governments to take concrete actions, including passing environmental laws and establishing environmental agencies. In addition to these practical outcomes, the event demonstrated just how much can be achieved when people come together and demand action.

Earth Day in 2020
Marking its half-century anniversary, and selecting climate action as its theme, Earth Day 2020 was already poised to be a historic event. An occasion planned to bring people physically together across a series of events, COVID-19 has now prompted a dramatic shift to completely digital and virtual platforms. Earth Day 2020 calls for 24 hours of actions, big and small, for people and the planet. On
this 50th anniversary, civil society organizers hope to fill the world’s digital landscape with global conversations, positive acts, performances, webinars and events supporting urgent action on climate
change.

Ways to Celebrate Earth Day at School

Earth Day has made positive impacts on the environment globally, but it can also play a significant role on local levels as well. Young children, in particular, may not realize that there are many ways they can participate in protecting the Earth and make it a safer place.

For example, water conservation, recycling and saving energy are all important parts of protecting the environment your kids or kids in your classroom could contribute to. From brushing your teeth with the water off to remembering to turn the lights off when not in the room, these small steps can make big impacts on the planet.

• Bulletin Boards: Teachers can build momentum for Earth Day by creating interactive 'No Waste' bulletin boards in the classroom. The idea is to create the bulletin board with recycled items and then encourage students to find ways to recycle at home and school. 

• Poster Projects: Students can also help encourage other students to recycle and be aware of ways to conserve and produce less waste by creating reminder posters and placing them in the classroom and school. 

Ways to Celebrate Earth Day at Home

Earth Day is something the entire family can celebrate together in a variety of ways at home and in the community.

Plant a tree:   This is a great way to teach your children about the importance of trees. For example, trees produce oxygen and that's something both humans and wildlife need to survive. Planting a tree together can help restore the balance of the ecosystem and create a lasting memory for you and your family.

Pick up trash: Take a trip to your local park and teach your children how to pick up trash. Keeping the park clean is great for the environment and it makes the park more enjoyable for kids to play in.

“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.” —Franklin D. Roosevelt

"Develop an environment where the diversity and uniqueness of all learners are accepted and valued."

Distance Learning WEEK 1

Distance Learning WEEK 1 .      15 April 2020

The COVID19 has caused widespread school closures for an unknown duration. Teachers are scrambling to find ways to support students from afar through distance and online learning. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by this daunting task, you’re certainly not alone.Through teaching students and training educators, I’ve learned a lot about how to effectively create and implement digital instruction and self-paced learning.I’ve also struggled to reach students outside of class. For several years, I taught in communities where students struggled to attend school consistently. 

To help absent students access my courses, I developed a blended, self-paced teaching and learning that empowered all my students to learn, whether they were in my room or not. Today, I run The Modern Classrooms Project, where I help other teachers do the same.I use Hangouts for video conferencing, Google docs for notes and activities, and tracing sheets to share their activities link on it.I love combining several tools for a better impact. 

I made a site where I put up a list of tools that I’m using and sent it to my students and their families.I have been really impressed with the class sites of different schools teachers considering how to make them visually appealing to students while keeping them simple and easy to navigate. First and foremost – whatever tools and activities I choose, keep it simple so everyone can get started easily. 

"Teach in ways that ensure all learners are making sufficient progress, monitor the extent and pace of learning, focusing on equity and excellence for all."

Week 6 Digital Fluency Intensive Program (DFI)

Date: 17April2020 AGENDA: Enabling Access, Sites

Kia Ora

Today we focused on staying 'Connected.' The goal of manaiakalani is how we can connect digitally,
and entitle learners for their learning. Because they know learning is still going online.

Term two is going to start with distance learning this week. Teachers are doing hard to adapt and
change their pedagogical teaching techniques to teach their learners online. I am also trying hard
to find some interesting ideas, approaches, techniques, and methods that can be applied on-line.

Schools are closed, but digital technology  helps us to connect with learners and everyone.

Today, Dorothy started with a fabulous  powerpoint presentation about how hard it is to connect
with someone who doesn't share. Pedagogy and language help us to connect, common language
helps to maintain diversity. She explained the Manaiakalani inclusive model was first developed in 2006 with the first cluster of

schools. In 2015 the model was taken wider into what are now known as outreach clusters and
again in 2017. In this cluster, we mainly focus on Term 1 on create, Term 2 share Term 3 apply and term 4 bring all together.

Sharing is very important. It is two way communication. One way communication is not working
in any case.

Connectivity is a way of life for our students. Take it from them and they will check out.

This was another great session of my professional learning growth. I definitely come away feeling
empowered to improve my quality of my class sites.

I was very excited for this session today because I found out we are going to present our
slides and there is one more opportunity, we are going to present in a regional group.
That was awesome for me. Different teachers who were present in my group belong to
different teaching years. Moreover they have very exciting sliding and I feel so encouraged by
seeing their class sites. I will definitely use their ideas to improve the quality of my class sites.

The DFI program is a true blessing for me. The experience, knowledge and skills I gain from here is invaluable. I was not confident in technology before I joined this course, but till now I have attended six sessions and it's A+W+E+S+O+M+E. Now, I am confident with my website and my teacher dashboard. Through the duration of this Lockdown due to COVID19 this course is good
learning for all of us, who are attending this.

Now in this online teaching time, everyday I am trying to do something new with students learning. My efforts always present my teaching stuff in an interesting way. I am trying hard in this period to make my teaching interesting and adventurous.

Exciting for Next week with new Learning.

Week 5 Digital Fluency Intensive Program (DFI)

    April 3, 2020                        AGENDA: Collaborate Sites


Today's session starts with a bit of different feel as all teachers and facilitators join via Google Hangouts. It is a perfect example of modern technology, as without leaving home, we met up with other people and share our screens and experience digitally.

Technology is not a barrier today, and it is a footstep for us to create something new and adventurous to make life beautiful. Moreover, it is an excellent practice for us when COVID-19 has affects our ability to meet as a group.

Session starts with Connecting with each other. After ‘Karakia’ we connect with a great group of educators via ‘Gratitude Chain.’ It was awesome. I really enjoyed, and learning about the views and thoughts of other educators.

I really like Dorothy's presentation on Pedagogy and Kaupapa (Visibility in Teaching). How visibility is important in teaching and learning.


Hapara Teacher Dashboard specifically designed for Manaiakalani teaching learning program. The purpose of this learning should be visible to your teachers. It is useful for the teachers to know what their students are doing in learning and how they are going.

Together, we have developed the  'Learn, Create, Share' pedagogy, designed to accelerate the acquisition of core subjects whilst bringing the joy back into learning and teaching. Manaiakalani-Google Class On Air, is one way we have chosen to share our learning with you.




Next session was Deep Dive -  with Kerry She discussed the word ‘Multi Modal’ - what we mean when we use this term. This is an inclusive, differentiated approach to teaching in a digital learning environment. Accelerating progress and outcomes for our young people for many involves firstly engaging them behaviourally- on task - bring in the right place, at the right time , doing the right thing.

We also examined the terms multi-modal and multi textual as part of T shaped literacy and challenged to consider how we can engage our learners so that they begin to take responsibility for their learning.

By personalising education, we are empowering learners to become confident, responsible and competent.

As term 2 approaches we need to consider how we can utilise google sites, Hapara, Google hangouts and different media to engage our learners, particularly as some of them will not have the same adult support usually available to them during this lockdown.

In an effective classroom, students should not only know what they are doing, they should also know why and how.

― Harry Wong