Using Data

In our DFI today, I have been reminded of the criticality of Visibility to effective learning. This is so refreshing in comparison to my own experience throughout primary, secondary and university education in the 70s and 80s, where we had to guess what was in our teacher's mind and how she might want our work presented back to her. Incredibly, this approach was still in evidence for my own children going through Primary school in 'the noughties'.  So it is very exciting to be part of the creativity and motivation that Learn, Create, Share enables for our Manaiakalani learners, and how this shines through in what these kids are producing and achieving.

I enjoyed thinking about how data can be collected and presented in a way that is accessible and interesting for my audience.  From a user perspective, I have learned about a number of add-ons and shortcuts that will to make my spreadsheet work much easier.  I've been playing around with graphs - we spent some time analysing learner blog post frequency, and I have graphed the results for one student below.

Today, I have also taken my Google Maps knowledge to a new level. I have been impressed by the many ways teachers can leverage this tool in the classroom.  While I'm still at the most basic level myself, I did have fun charting my journey from home to my office each day, and measuring the distance.

I have also learned how to translate content from forms on to a map - just like magic!

The session on Google Forms has been very timely - there is so much scope for me to utilise this tool so much more in my work, and achieve many efficiencies as a result. 

A new goal

Now that I am extending my skillset, I can start to progress my goal to develop a site for the Manaiakalani Education Trust (MET), to sit as a part of manaiakalani.org . Even though I am still at such a beginner level, the high level of DFI learning, resources and support encourages me that, with some dedicated effort, this goal could well be within my capability. Yay! My intent is to make content about the Trust more easily accessible, and to highlight the way in which MET supports and serves the work of the Manaiakalani schools. It will also provide a landing place for key groups such as trustees and staff. The former will want to access documents such as the Trust Deed, Annual and financial reports, minutes, agendas and content they can use when they are promoting the work of the Manaiakalani programme with others. For our Manaiakalani staff team, it may be helpful to have a place to access HR policies, communications, and other employment-related matters. To make sure I target my audiences as effectively as possible, I need to do some 'market research' to confidently establish what content will be most useful, and what I need to be working towards for the user experience. I've also got examples from a number of the Education Trust in the Outreach to draw on.

I can create!

So just when I thought creativity might be beyond me, I have discovered a whole new world. I was one of those kids who, because I wasn't a natural artist, got labelled with the 'non-creative' tag. If only I had been in a Manaiakalani school back then, things would have been so different. Today I discovered a wealth of digital tools, hacks and ideas to set me on the road to Create. I've dipped into everything we've been introduced to today but there has been so much new stuff, I am feeling a little overwhelmed. That feeling is a new experience for me - excitement at all these new ideas waiting for me to apply them at work and in my personal life - but also the sense that I want to crawl away into a corner for a month to get to grips with it all! But I can't wait to show off a a few great party tricks bound to impress friends and family. While you, dear readers, will be waiting to see something really smart from me, please be patient. In the meantime, here's my first go at my digital pepeha (audio still to come)

Workflow and improving productivity

Today I realised the extent to which I have been skimming the surface in my use of some of the amazing tools designed to support professional and personal productivity.  So that's got to change! My understanding of how these tools enhance learn, create and share has expanded significantly. I'm excited about how I can now use Google Keep to capture and collate insights, learnings, reminders and resources, in a way that is fun and creative. Our Hangout practice has built my confidence in screen sharing and recording, and reinforced the extent to which truly flexible work practices  are a reality, increasing efficiency without compromising effectiveness.  Check out the recording (unedited) below where I am reflecting to my small group on some fantastic learner blogposts.



In addition I have loved hearing from teachers about how they are applying these tools in the learning environment and the keen response they are getting from their learners.   The key for me will be to be resolute in leveraging the full power of Google Keep, GMail, Calendar and Hangouts - practice will make perfect!

Starting to reflect...

Welcome to my first blog! As I near the end of Day One of the Digital Fluency Intensive Auckland 2019 cohort #3, I find myself reflecting on everything that I have learned (and re-learned) today and how I can apply this to my work in Manaiakalani.

I have been conscious for so long that there are a multitude of tools, innovations and approaches that I could be using to enhance the way I do my job, and in particular how I could be communicating more effectively with our external stakeholders, not to mention the Manaiakalani team and our Trust Board.  So there was a lot that resonated with me today and that I can immediately apply. For example, Google Groups will revolutionise my communications with our Board - getting agendas and Board papers out more efficiently, as well as tracking these interactions. Today's course has also given me a boost of energy to better collate folders of Board materials. 

I always find that I'm pretty challenged when it comes to creating visual media - presenting ideas and applying them in ways that are interesting while reinforcing the message.  So building skills and confidence in that area is for sure one of my immediate development goals. Roll on Day two.