This weeks learning is all about Connecting - The power of digital technology is the ability to be connected to others.
In this digital world it is now very easy to be connected via technology to friends, whanau, the wider community and the world.
Being part of Manaiakalani connects up to a powerful network and this network is growing each year as more and more schools join onto and take on the Manaiakanlani pedegogy of Learn, Create, Share. It was inspiring to hear Dorothy talk about how the original schools to go along the Manaiakanai journey were only a short walk away from each other. They were physically close but still miles away, only coming together for competitions and sporting situations. Now these schools are connecting educationally through digital technology and children are getting an insight into what happens in different communities who are just a stones throw away.
Now within the Manaiakalani program there are over 100 schools/ kura form all over New Zealand who are on the digital waka together sharing and connecting with each other.
Google Sites
Using google Sites within the classroom program has many benefits not only for the learner but for the parents as well. Parents are often not privy to what goes on within the classroom unless they are popping in on a regular basis and with a large number of parents working in this day and age, this does not happen.
The purpose of a Google Site
* One stop learning hub - everything is in one plave where the child can find their learning easily and quickly.
* It is visible. Parents, other staff, the wider community and can see what is happening in your class. What you are teaching and what the children are learning,.
* Rewindable - the children can keep going back to the learning at anytime.
* Gives information.
* Allows teaching and learning to continue even if children can not physically be at school. e.g another lockdown.
* Have visual appeal. Children need to be hooked into the site so they want to be accessing the learning.
It was a good time to go through my class site and ensure I was following those rules. I do still have a lot more work to do on my site which will be ongoing.
Kia ora Nic,
ReplyDeleteHaving time to work on your site is invaluable. And having the network of schools to tap into means we can widen our horizons as well.
I had a peep at your gardening site and the way you have presented the material for your students. I can't wait to see what they create. Will you share it on your class blog?
from Cheryl
Kia ora Nic,
ReplyDeleteIt is great to read your list of the purpose of a class site and how you have connected this back to the Manaiakalani Kaupapa. Having the time to work on your site is so important - remember it can develop over time, it does not need to be perfect immediately! Keep up the great blogging.
Latham