DFI - Reflection 3

 27/1/25

When looking at the Manaiakalani kaupapa and pedagogy today I learnt that it is super important to plan it otherwise you wont do it.  I also loved the quote -  If the hands are involved, the head really gets going. 

For me it is just practice and using the slides (rewindable learning) to keep having a go.  I'm someone who needs to look back at instructions or videos in order to understand well.  The tools we've been told about or taught today are awesome.  I can't wait to work out how to incorporate them into my planning.

I already record my voice on slides using mote in order to create rewindable learning, however I think incorporating the animation, having the kids record their learning even just showing them holding their maths work and explaining it would be awesome.  I am nervous as I have some children with high needs.

Regarding the question "what did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow in my personal life?" I think using things like playlists on YouTube etc will be a great way to simplify things that I show or let my children listen to at home e.g. audiostories, cartoons etc.

Below is my animation that I made on slides.

Below is my image for my blog.  Not sure if I like it yet...so a work in progress.  I've also attached one that i'll put on our class blog.

DFI - day 3

 27/1/26 - Media

Love the waiata for the karakia today.  Need to check this out.

- Need to look at reminders on calendar.
- Look at Google Keep

Connecting with Manaiakalani (Hanga/Create) - Dorothy

Children love the chance to create.
Creating also helps to accelerate learning.
It is about deeper learning.
It helps students to be better problem solvers, communicators and collaborators.

Being able to access video footage of others being creative is a great way to encourage others.

Learn and Create go together.

Another way we can get acceleration is by ensuring the create is a part fo the learning progress.

Check out the slide about Create/Primary Schools Class OnAir episodes.

Elwin Richardson - investigated the process of creativity

We plan, but don't often do the hands-on practical implementation for creative thinking/mindsets.

<If the hands are involved, the head really gets going>

If it's not in your plan and timetabled, it's not going to happen.

You can't make a movie if the students have been given the foundational skills to go off and do it.

At the end of their learning time the teacher leaves them with 10 minutes to record and share their learning of what they did that day using one example.

Chalk 'n Talk - YouTube

- Resources

- Content

- Subscribe

- Organise

Public (can be found by anyone)
Private
Unlisted (anyone with the link - can't find it by searching for it on YouTube) recommended

Students do not put their videos on YouTube but on their blogs.

If you have videos in your Google Drive a transcript is created.  You can then search in the transcript.

Creating Playlists

Refer to manaiakalani DFI notes

Hapara Hot Tips #2 - Hinewa

- You can click and drag student tiles to reorder.

Deep Dive - Media with Amie Williams

Sisomo - referring to the combination of sight, sound, and motion on digital screens.

YouTube launched in 2005

- film in landscape 

- chromebook apps 

Topline: screencast for chromebooks app/google vids /adobe/canva

Give students restricted rules e.g. one shot video

Can be used for Assessment.

Green Screen (a.k.a. Chroma Key) using a green screen.  Camera and tripod set up so we don't get shadows cast on us.  Be close to the green screen.  You need to also think about the floor.

remove.bg
canva and more

Live Streaming - is not schools want to get on board with.  Some teachers are engaged in this.  

Film Festivals - there are resources to help support this.  There is a Manaiakalani Film Festival.

Podcasting - uses the diverse needs and skills of a variety of kids.

Garage band is recommended.  You can also use Adobe Podcasts.  Soundtrap is also great for Podcasts and making music.

It's not about how much it costs...it's all about what you do with it.

Chalk 'n Talk - Google Drawings with Michelle Tate

Hold down shift to get a perfect shape e.g. circle.

Heaps of things you can do with Google Drawings. It would be great for portraits.

Chalk 'n Talk - Google Slides with Stacey Salton

Presentation Tool to a larger audience (Hall, Whanau evening etc)

What's your story-what do you want to do and summarise your speech in a tweet length (250words).

Plan, Plan, Plan.  Sumarise a slide on a post it note until you are telling your story in the best possible order.

Cull your slides.

Ditch the defaults.  Embrace blank slides.

Pictures really are worth 1,000 words.

Consistent formatting.  2 fonts max.

If you are on a stage you need large font, colour, bold.

If you need to read your slides you've lost it.  Go back and edit.  They are visual cues. Press /s/ and speaker notes come up on the side.

Enabling access for Learning

Easily shared and embedded into your class site.

Embed and link to learning content, texts and tasks within your slides.

Use clear and consistent formatting.

Most current week slides at the top.

Slides to Create

Can animate.

Publish and design to create.

Cybersmart Snippets

Smart Media.  Look in speaker notes.

Creating with slides

Blog Settings

DFI Reflection 2

 23/1/26

Regarding the Maniakalani kaupapa and pedagogy, i've always been concerned about technology taking over the teacher.  I always think you need a happy medium.  I really like the rewindable learning aspect, as it's been great for my neurodiverse learners.  I have slides on my site which I update weekly with what they are learning as well as recording myself reading them so the students can go back and not have to ask me over and over. 

Today I enjoyed learning the tools that were knew to me e.g Google Keep.  I had looked at it once before and thought don't know if that would work for me.  After seeing what it can actually do I feel like it would be a very useful tool (also in my home life).  The colouring and decorating also relates to my creative side and urge to make things pretty.  I also really liked finding out about the gmail and google calendar shortcuts so I can flick between what I need quickly.

For my learners I think that by having a go at using reading mode I may be able to simplify documents/websites to remove the unnecessary fluff. 

I think the one think that has helped my confidence today was practicing using meet as I find it so different to what i've used before and having the practice of setting it up and using it before needing to was great.

I have attached my video that I recorded.

DFI - day 2

 23/1/26

Tip: To see speaker notes press /s/ or hover at the bottom and click the skinny snowman.

Hot Tip - Hāpara Teacher Dashboard

My classes (view your class) - All Classes (other classes).  They have a white star and if you turn them blue you can be attached to their classes to see what others are doing or if you are a team leader etc.

You can use the pencil to edit the name of the class.

Connecting with Manaiakalani - Dorothy
The Manaiakalani Pedagogy: Learn Create Share
Today we focus on Learn/Ako

There are three goals.

We will be looking at Learn "understand, know, and do".

Digital tools alone will not create accelerated learning without effective teaching.

Recognise (recognising effective practice)
Amplify (our practice)
Turbocharge (learning with digital tools)

Effective Practice

in the digital world of our learners.

Recognise
- We are guided by the ministry's documentation, directives, and strat plan.
www.curriculumdesign.nz

Understand-Know-Do is what learning looks like from the Ministry of Education.

-Local Curriculum.  What does effective practice look like with our tamariki and community.

- Actions that promote student learning are what going to accelerate student learning.

Amplify
- This is about OUR TEACHING
- Empowering, Connected, Visible, Ubiquitous

Check out lessonbytes.

- 

Turbocharge learning

Chalk 'n Talk - Google Meet

Google meet has the capacity to live streaming.

You can also record for rewindable session.

Or livestream events.

Can be used for students to speak to experts, other students, other schools etc.

Deep Dive - Google Keep

Note keeper

Take a note with an image.  On a phone you can take a photo with the camera.  On computer you have to use an existing photo.

Voice memos captures the audio file and then writes the text out.  If the writing is muddled because you mumble you can still listen to the audio.

You can take a photo of notes and it can turn it into a doc.

Students could make keep notes then drag them into their doc.

I'd like to have a go at this more.  Will contact Ange.

Chalk 'n Talk - Gmail

Star emails mean you can come back to them for later.

-Scheduling emails.  Helps you to be mindful about sending emails late at night but can schedule it to go out in the morning.

You can check time zones in this space in order to send it at the correct time.

You can set up a meeting time but offer times that you're free.

Google can translate an email sent in another language but be cautious as the grammar isn't always correct.

Advanced options

Templates - turn frequent messages into templates to save time.

Unread message icon showing or not.

Quick access side panel - down the side you can access other google apps.

Signature - Automatically add contact details.  You can have different signatures including having options to have it on only the 1st email or all following ones.

Useful Tools

-Undo send.  you can extend the length up to 30secs.

-Search Mail.  Use the power of google search to find your emails.

-Forwarding and POP. 

        -Forwarding.  Receive emails sent to another account.

        -Pop. set up email client i.e. outlook, apple mail.

Gmail shortcuts

-Mail Merge (New Feature)

Google Chat.  Great for messaging groups or people.  These are called spaces.  You can manage your chat settings in gmail.

Archiving emails refer to video.  You could archive into years.

Managing subscriptions - NEW FEATURE

Google Calendar

You can create new calendars, change colours etc.

You can attach documents, presentations etc.

You can embed a calendar for their class into her class site so everyone can see what's happening to that class.

Quick keys d=-day m=month etc

Booking schedule times - if you need people to book in with you.

Tasks

- similar to google keep.  You can switch between calendar and tasks.  You can get a reminder for the tasks.  Can use docs, presentations etc to tasks from side pane.

Deep Dive - Taming your tabs

Every Tab we have open uses processing power on your device and also in your own brain.

Ways to Manage This

-Using Bookmarks.  You can just have the icons instead of the words for bookmarks if you know what it means.

-Pin Tabs. 

-Grouping Tabs.

-Google's Priority Workspace.  This is in Google Drive.  Can create a "workspace" that includes all that you need for maybe a meeting, BOT, PD etc.

-Reading List. 

-Reading Mode

-Extra Tip. Right click on a tab and look at all the options.

-

-Drag tabs or groups of tabs along.

Cybersmart Snippet - Smart Footprint (personal/private)

Embedding videos into your blogpost - refer to slide deck

DFI Reflection Day 1

 Day 1

Today, I found it really interesting to gain further insights into the history of Manaiakalani, as it gave me a deeper understanding of its foundations. I was particularly fascinated to learn about the changes made in 2010, including how Fusion Networks enabled families within the cluster to access the internet in their communities. As the internet was not required at schools after school hours, it was shared with families instead. This truly highlights the perseverance and generosity of those involved and reflects a strong commitment to equity.

In terms of improving my confidence, capability, and workflow as a teacher, I found the tips around organising my Google Drive especially helpful. Using emojis instead of full words for bookmark groups is a simple but effective idea that will save space and allow me to access documents more quickly. I am also interested in using Google Groups, although I am unsure of my school’s policy, as we currently use Hero for communication.

I really appreciated learning how to use Google Docs more efficiently through smart chips and building blocks. I can see how using these same elements with students will help me create more interactive and engaging tasks, such as cloze reading activities. This will allow me to design more meaningful learning experiences.

I already use speech-to-text with my students, but seeing it used specifically to support fluency was valuable and is something I would like to incorporate more intentionally into my daily literacy programme.

As mentioned above, being able to transfer ideas I already use in Google Sheets across into Google Docs is something I find both professionally and personally beneficial. I enjoy being organised, and knowing that these tips and tricks can also support my personal organisation is a bonus — probably much to the annoyance of my husband 😅.

My Google Docs Creation

DFI - day 1

20/1/26

Day 1 of the Digital Learning Intensive

Core business doc
Session introduction

Manaiakalani - in the beginning
circa 2026
Manaiakalani is a Hawaiian word which means a constellation of stars that is shaped like a hook.  'Hook from Heaven'.  

Started with 7 schools that needed support.

Manaiakalani is about equity for all NZers.

The Why - Equity, Achievement, Hope, and 21st Century Skills.

Ipads yrs 1-3.  Chromebooks yrs 4-13.  There is a crossover period depending on schools

There has been a huge change in technology since 2026 from bebo and myspace to AI.

2006-2009: using shared devices on dial up. Booking labs etc.

2010: ppl called for more time, access, gear, and professional development.  Whānau meetings are at their most powerful when a group of children stand up and show what learning looks like.  Then ask the whānau would they like this in all classrooms.  They also asked what would parents be able to give to get their student a device.  Parents said they'd be willing to give $3.50 (the price of a happy meal) towards that.  The parents paid $3.50 a week and paid it off over 3 years.   The devices are replacing the penci,l not the book.  They started talking about cloud computing which was new.  They set up with Andrew, who had just set up Fusion Networks and created a way for the families who lived within the cluster to have internet to the community.  The internet wasn't needed at schools after school hours so shared this with families.  Manaiakalani was sent a cease and desist to stop so a family member who was a lawyer set up a trust so it was legal and met requirements.  They looked at all the cloud options and went with Google as it was the only one that was collaborative.  It was also the only free one.

2011 - 2013: roll out to 1:1 devices.  

2014: We'd only had laptop devices (netbooks) starting in yr 5.  within this last 5 years they had so much tech starting and tried some Samsung tablets, a nameless brand device, and ipads.  Ipads ended up being the winner.  

~Hāpara was invented for manaiakalani.  This was because teachers were receiving  3xmore work from children.~

Teachers worked to make their learning visible.  

The whole community was 1:1 devices in 2014.

2015: Other schools with the same equity challenges were asking to join and the Maniakalani network expanded.

Why are we doing this DFI? We did not come to school to teach teachers - Manaiakalani Learner Quote.

Chalk and Talk Session - Google Chrome

There are many browsers to use.  We use Google Chrome.  Googles own internet browser.  Because it is software it needs to be kept up-to-date.  It isn't necesarily the best but is great with the full suite and the learners chromebooks use Google Chrome.

Being a signed in member is enormous.

Benefits - Speed, Features, Devices.

Professional Profile - Should have a professional photo and name. With your personal account this doesn't matter quite so much.

CTRL-Command-Space to open up emojis.

Chalk and Talk - Google Drive

Organise your drive

Having a folder for each year.  Within that make additional folders.

Permissions - Consider making your top level folder anyone can view (e.g. 2024)

Set sharing permisisons up for access.

You can limit certain folders e.g. assessment.  You can limit access.  This can only be at folder level not file level.

You can disable options to download, print and copy.

Search or convert docs.

Colour code your folders.

Deep Dive - Google Groups

slide link

Base level - like a group email to the members of the group.

You get a set email from google to say you're in the group.

Then you can send an email using the google group.

If you reply to an email from google groups.  You can repy using google groups or gmail.

If you reply to one it will default to EVERYONE.  So if you want to send it to one person.  Make sure you change it to just the one person.

You can be an owner, manager, or owner.

In membership settings you can select a display name.

You can also change how often you want to receive those messages.

You can use labels to group posts and emails.

Why to use Google Groups?  

Great to email parents.

Go to google groups.  Click create groups.  

Chalk and Talk - Summer Learning Journey Research

Having Initials at the start of the doc title it means as the more tabs you have up you can easily identify it.

Command-Shift-V is pasting without formatting.

Creating with Docs

Cybersmart 

Kawa of care to be understood and signed.

"If you are in the right place at the right time I will see you..."

Blogging - Tips for blogging