I've talked about the concept of ako several times, and today was certainly a day of that. As we were exploring blogs, google forms, my maps, and google sheets we were finding all sorts of tips and tricks and insights. As the confidence of the group progresses and the willingness to share grows we're finding that we're all able to contribute to the group.
For example when using mymaps I was looking for the share button in the top right corner, as is with most google suite (forms, sheets, docs etc). Of course I couldn't find it there, meanwhile one of the group was busy sharing and showed me it's actually positioned on the left under the title of the map. 
Another tip I learned today was about embedding a chart from googlesheets, rather than going into File--> publish to web and then selecting the sheet, and subsequent chart, you can instead select the three dots in the top right of the chart and select publish chart. This is a much faster and easier way to embed the particular chart you want. Also by selecting 'interactive' rather than image, it becomes an interactive chart which when you hover over a bar the data appears, and if you were to update the google sheet, the embedded graph would also update.
Today's learning also looked at google forms, and the ability to import data from a sheet, into mymaps. As always check our cohorts blogs and see what we've all been learn, create and sharing.
Another jam packed day at the Gisborne Tairawhiti Cohort 1 2019 DFI. Today we focused on Media and CREATE. Running workshops on YouTube videos and live streaming, Google Slides & Google Draw. There is so much possibility within the classroom with these tools, so it was a whirlwind whizzing through it all. However because of our rewindable learning (and teaching) style - we can go back to the deep dives when we need the content in more detail.
Knowing my learning style - I am definitely a doer when it comes to learning new skills. Fortunately the rewindable learning of slide decks and how to videos mean that you don't need to remember everything, as is with the technology era that we live in. You just need to remember how to find the content or information that you need. Being digitally literate is so important. Gone are the days when you needed to be able to recite the textbook, these days you need to be able to ctrl F to find the info you want fast. It's about knowing how, rather than the what.
Because we following the Manaiakalani pedagogy of Learn Create Share we all had time this afternoon to create something in slides and draw to cement our new learning from this morning, and then share these creations on our blogs. In doing so we're able to cement and put into practice our learning from the day. It's this kaupapa that we want to see for our tamariki too, allowing them opportunities to authentically create to demonstrate their learning of a new skill or topic. And what is the point of creating something without an authentic audience to share it with? Anyway - I don't want to preach to the converted.
Have a look at our digital creations and reflections from today
You might have noticed I've been a little quiet here on Spark Ako. In Dec 2016 I went on Maternity leave and returned 2017 for 6 months before returning to maternity leave for baby number two's arrival. Yes, that's right I had two boisterous boys in under two years.
Though the two boys keep me busy I'm itching to get back into the teaching and learning world. So as a way to refresh myself (& due to a timely expiration date) I've just resit my level 1 Google Certificate and completed my Level 2 Educator Certificate!
The Level 1 Google Certificate was a great refresher to take - also great to know that I haven't forgotten everything while being out of the classroom. And as for the Level 2, some of it was (thankfully) second nature to me, and I also managed to pick up a few new tricks. Like autoCrat, an awesome way to populate a slide deck with information merged from a google form. I can imagine this would be a great icebreaker for the school year, for learners to complete an 'about me' survey which populates a slide deck to embed on the class site or blog.
Before sitting the exam I worked my way through the 9 Units in the Google Advanced Training. Even though I was already familiar with a lot of the content, I also had a lot to learn. Also some of the terminology used in the units and exams was different so it's definitely worth going through them before commencing the exam, which is a timed three hour event. The time frame was plenty for me to go over the material (and do a quick google search or rerun through the units to refresh my memory - yes it's open book). Majority of the exam was simply following the instructions and completing tasks.
If you've been thinking about sitting your Level 2 Google Exam or just want to learn more about developing your efficiency using the Google Tools then I highly recommend sitting the exam. If you have any questions, or want some study tips - please get in touch.
Steph
