Core Business Reflection:
Manaiakalani:
Wow what a back story! I have been aware of the Manaiakalani Trust for years - as a parent and BOT member at my childrens' school. I was interested to hear how Learn Create Share came to be. I had always assumed it was a completely digital pedagogy that was conceptualised with digital tech in classrooms - not before.
The concept behind Learn Create Share has always 'spoken' to me - it makes sense - Learner engagement, access to all, learner agency, critical and creative thinking, collaboration!
Chrome:
For me as a teacher -
The handy shortcuts! While I tend to enjoy exploring and having 'a play' with all things digital, I find that now I am working fulltime I do not have the luxury of the time required to enjoy this!
The shortcuts mentioned are so handy (even being reminded to 'drag and drop' rather than using dropdown menus), now I just have to remember them! I will look for a cheat sheet online to print and display.
Control + tab # -navigate between tabs
For my learners -
Having easy access to a 'one-stop' shop for their learning, in which they can become fluent digital learners along with their teachers. My daughter (now 15) has been a great mentor to me over the last two years as I re-entered teaching in the digital age. She has been able to coach me through many Google related melt downs (mine!). Witnessing the ease in which our 'digitally native' learners navigate and benefit from the learning tools they now have access to is incredible.
Google Groups:
Provides an ease of access to information and communication that I am looking forward to enjoying. No longer will I waste time typing numerous email addresses, I will make the initial time to set up my groups, then sit back and reap the benefits!
Google Drive:
One area I am unfamiliar with is the Workspace function. I will endeavour to try this out before my next meeting to trial this. Maria also suggested the Extension Mini Toby, which I have now added and will test out.
Google Docs:
For me as a teacher -
I enjoyed the opportunity to try out a couple of new aspects I was unaware of. My biggest takeaways today were using the Explore tool, and using a table for display purposes then hiding the table lines. The citation function is an added bonus in Explore, as is not having dozens of tabs open from my searching for images and information outside of Docs.
I also added the Colourpick Eye Dropper extension which was the basis of the document I created to display in my classroom. Hiding the table was also a first for me, so I incorporated this, leaving boxing for cut out names to be added to the roster display.
For my learners -
The Voice typing function will be of great benefit to a couple of my learners. I am looking forward to introducing this to them and seeing how they take to the freedom it provides.
Blogger:
I started my blogging journey last year, and am still amazed at the opprtunities this provides both myself and my learners. The instructions provided in the slideshow will be very handy as a refence going forward!
I will go forward and organise my Google Drive, find a list of shortcuts, and bring some of my learning into the classroom for the benefit of my learners (Voice typing, Google Groups for my learner committee groups).
