My MDTA Journey 2014

As the year draws to a close it's important to reflect on the year that has been. We had our final MDTA [Manaiakalani Digital Teacher Academy] PLG [Professional Learning Group] last week and our Christmas Dinner last night. 

Looking back I realise that I have learned so much this year, from the jargon of teacher Acronyms and the technical skills of creating and modifying a visually pleasing digital learning site, blogging, web design, google draw and docs, iMovie, GarageBand, screencasting, camera angles and editing. All things which a year ago, seemed like another language to me. I've learned a variety of behaviour management and engagement skills and how to be a teacher rather than a facilitator. I've learned about my learners, what interests them, their strengths, weaknesses and adorable personalities. 

Watch below to hear my thoughts on future focused teaching in a digital learning environment 

I want to give a huge thank you to our number one supporter Dorothy Burt, our academic expert Anne Sinclair, my mentor and team teacher Elfrida Raj, my Principal Lesley Elia, all my colleagues at Glenbrae Primary School, and peers in the MDTA Programme, for the ongoing support, laughs, collaboration and ideas this year. None of which would be possible without the Manaiakalani Education Trust which my school, and others in our community have developed over the years to support us as teachers in our professional learning, and support our families and tamariki in their achievement throughout their education. 

Till next year team!

Back: Nicola Wells, Treena Brand, Petra Lawrence, Matt Goodwin, Greg Wong
Front: Aimee Harris, Stephanie Parker, Caleb Allison, Karen Belt (Absent: Troy Lunn)

Manaiakalani Film Festival

Last night I was able to be a part of our MANAIAKALANI FILM FESTIVAL. 
Teachers and Learners from our 12 cluster schools make short (3 minute) films to showcase their learning. 

This year I took a group of keen movie makers in a 'film club' as part of my schools elective programme. 
In this group we followed our school inquiry theme of Being Prepared for a Natural Disaster. 
However, what if there was another type of disaster? Of the supernatural kind... 

Our learners explored this and found out how to be prepared for any kind of disaster... 


PRESENTERS SPEECH 

Speaker 1: Good afternoon good people of Manaiakalani. In news today there has been reports of traffic congestion around the sylvia park area. Reports of a butter chicken sell out at Spice trader. And most importantly there have been sightings of big screen celebrities at the hoyts xtreme screen cinema….

Speaker 2: … WAIT!! (Interrupts. Holds hand out in front of Speaker 1 other hand to her ear) This just in…. What I can’t hear you, you’re breaking up… ? (PAUSE, looking up to  side/listening to earpiece) Reports of strange creatures being seen in Glen Innes. Flesh? Flesh eating What?

Speaker 1: (Interrupting): Flesh WHaT? (PANICKING) WHere? Here..??

Speaker 2: Shhhhh… Stay Calm ...There’s nothing to worry about here people…. (EXIT OFF STAGE)

The students were involved in directing, scene selection, editing the final cut, sound effects and selecting the backing music. For most learners this was their first experience in movie making. When completing a reflection at the end, the main "What I would do differently next time" comment was that students didn't like the face paint... instead preferring masks.

Last night this movie was screened at the HOYTS XTREME SCREEN cinema. It was amazing to see the production (and the other amazing entries) on the big screen. The students loved seeing themselves and their friends on the big screen, and a highlight for me was seeing all the children coming out of the cinema talking about the Zombies! They loved it.

Bling your Google site - adding buttons and background images

Thank you to all the attendees at todays Manaiakalani Toolkit on Blinging your site. 

We went through a step by step guide of how to update your site background/wrapper image and how to create functional buttons. 

If you missed it or need a recap, please enjoy my powerpoint presentation with step by step instructions. 

I recommend naming your Google Draws as the size and button template eg. 4cm x 4cm button template. After you download each button/image as PNG, you can adapt and edit it suit your next button. This way they end up the same size and looking swish. 

It was a pleasure to share some of my learning with others today, I look forward to learning from others in the Manaiakalani community at the next toolkit. 

Hei konā mai, ngā mihi. 

Stef

This blogpost relates to me meeting the registered teaching criterion 4 & 5. 

4. demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional learning and development of personal professional practice

ii. participate responsively in professional learning opportunities within the learning community

iii. initiate learning opportunities to advance personal professional knowledge and skills

5. show leadership that contributes to effective teaching and learning

i. actively contribute to the professional learning community

ii. undertake areas of responsibility effectively 

Teaching Sport and Athletics

So it turns out something I always thought that I was really bad at, I am actually pretty good at teaching. As the old saying goes 'those who can't teach'. I've never been a fan of that saying, but in this case. Yes.

At school and throughout my early twenties I hated, and was appalling at sport. Sure I played in social netball teams and tried my hand at backyard cricket but I was never any good at it. During my mid twenties I took it upon myself to learn about healthy lifestyle and fitness, spending a period of time working at Les Mills gym and receiving personal sports training from a NZ world ranked decathlete. I find that these experiences, applied with my developed skills and knowledge of sport technique and fitness have left me in a rather competent position to teach athletics to my class.

This morning we had athletics training for the upcoming inter-school competition. I really enjoyed being able to teach the class simple tips and techniques which helped them fly over the high jump bar. Some still didn't make it over the bar, but did improve and were able to feel the satisfaction of the improvement... I really enjoyed seeing the improvements just as much as the children did.

So it turns out that I am actually pretty good at teaching (if I do say so myself) athletics. I am writing a blog about this because as a child and teenager I disliked athletics so much, therefore my goal is to make sure that reluctant athletes (like my previous self) do not suffer the same disdain as I did.

Afterwards the class wrote reflections about the high jump, I was really pleased to see they too noticed how the technique I taught them helped!
 

This Blogpost relates to RTC: 

2. demonstrate commitment to promoting the well-being of all ākonga. 

i. take all reasonable steps to provide and maintain a teaching and learning environment that is physically,  socially, culturally and emotionally safe

7. promote a collaborative, inclusive and supportive learning environment

ii. foster trust, respect and cooperation with and among ākonga

Building relationships with ākonga

This blogpost relates to Registered Teaching Criteria 1. 

1. establish and maintain effective professional relationships focused on the learning and well-being of ākonga

i. engage in ethical, respectful, positive and collaborative professional relationships with: ākonga teaching colleagues, support staff and other professionals whānau and other carers of ākonga agencies, groups and individuals in the community

I was absolutely chuffed to see this blogpost over the holidays from one of my year 8 students. 

This particular student has consistently throughout the year told herself and others that she is dumb. It breaks my heart to hear this, and I have had several discussions with her about this in attempt to build her confidence and self-efficacy. 

I explain to her that she isn't dumb because she is aware that there are things which she doesn't understand, yet. It is this understanding that will keep her inquisitive and striving to learn more. I've also been reading about how it is important to praise learners for their efforts, rather than ability. Therefore I am always encouraging her for her hard work, and focusing on the things she has done well, and how she worked hard to achieve it. This blogpost tells me that she realises this hard work is paying off and planning to keep working hard to achieve. I am so proud of her and feeling that the relationships I am building with my learners are advantageous.