DFI Session 9

Today was the last DFI session. I have gained soo much new knowledge- what wonderful professional development. I have come out of this training feeling more digitally confident and able to support students with their digital learning journey. The DFI training couldn't have come at a better time! We only had a couple of sessions face to face and then the rest was run via distance learning using Google Hangout due to Covid-19. Participating via distance really helped me to gain further knowledge that I then used to teach my own class while they were learning distantly also.

As well as feeling more confident to teach children using the google apps and tools I also feel like I have come out of this learning journey better equiped to manage my own work load. A few things that have already sped up my work are...
-Colour coding folders in my drive.
-Linking documents so I can move easily between both.
-Managing my emails into folders.
-Using the 'Toby' app extension on Chrome to hold tabs that I frequently use.
-Collaboration through google keep with things such as to do lists.
-A better understanding of websites and how they can be used.

I've also really enjoyed making digital work easily accessible for the children I teach, I have ...
-Organised folders in their drive (with a young class all children work in the same drive).
-Simplified our website and learning visually. I enjoyed using the white backgrounds rather than overwhelming the children with too many bright colours (guilty of this in the past).
-Less links for the children to navigate

I am really looking forward to getting back into the classroom and supporting the children to continue learning in a rich digital environment. Over the past 7 weeks the children have done a really great job alongside their families of accessing the learning online each day. What an awesome position to be in to be teaching children who are so empowered I cannot wait to continue the digital learning journey with them and make rewindable learning a part of our everyday learning experiences.

Finally a highlight for me was becoming a Google Certified Level1 Educator!

Thank you for a fantastic 9 weeks!

DFI Session 8

DFI- Session 8
Computational Thinking
Coding

Here is an interactive puzzle to get you thinking about what coding is and when it could be used it the classroom. I found this a good puzzle to begin to understand coding slightly better.

Puzzle to try ! 

I also looked further into scratch as this is one that we already have installed on our iPads. This app allows children to gain a basic understanding about coding, and to try out their own coding skills. I can see how this app could also be used across multiple curriculum areas. 

If you are like me and very new to Scratch this how to guide may be helpful! I also can image this would be super helpful as a poster on the classroom wall!  

Today we also explored empowerment (empowering learners and their families) thinking about how devices need to be much more than just a 'tool' we need to ensure that the devices are transforming the way the children learn through allowing children and families to overcome barriers that may have once been present without devices. I am looking forward to heading back into the classroom thinking about how we can best empower each learner and their families. I've been so impressed with how empowered the learners and their families have been over the lockdown time it would be awesome to have this empowerment continue and grow!!



Here is a video of