Posts

Digital Innovation

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Deciding on the Innovation On my previous post I talked about the challenges of using digital technologies within a new entrants class. Teaching them how to use the technology can be time consuming when there is limited time available within our programme, so much of our programme has to be focused on the basics to give them a good foundation for their later learning. The novelty of the technology can also be distracting. We are also limited by the number and type of devices available with some potential innovations only working on certain platforms or devices. This meant that the first challenge I faced was deciding on an innovation that would be manageable within our learning environment. As part of our course was focused on growing collaboration within our classrooms, I also wanted to find way to incorporate a collaborative element within the innovation. I decided that I would use my innovation to grow collaboration and communication between school and home. Within our school we use...

Digital and Collaborative Teaching and Learning - Reflection on my own practice

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Undertaking this course has allowed me to critically evaluate the way I teach and the opportunities I provide my students to develop digital and collaborative skills. As I currently teach in a year one classroom I have found that a lot of the pedagogical ideas associated with digital and collaborative learning approaches appear, at first, to not fit within this setting. However closer inspection and evaluation has led me to feel that, although we do not necessarily explicitly use these skills and approaches, the foundation skills necessary for them are being laid through our daily interactions and instruction. I am going to discuss my thoughts and observations on collaboration, learning styles, cultural sustainability and the use of digital practices within my own teaching. COLLABORATION The skills required to successfully collaborate are so critical in our modern world that it is important that the foundations for these skills are set right from when students start at school. Collabor...

Welcome

 Hi,  I am creating this blog to document my journey in teaching. I have been teaching for 13 years and have taught ages 5 through to 13. I currently work in Wellington, New Zealand and am about to embark on teaching a new entrant class. Over the course of this year I will be undertaking a micro credential in Digital and Collaborative Learning through Academy EX as well as starting my te reo learning journey. It is going to be a busy year but I am certain it will be exciting too.