It’s not about teaching students how to use digital devices, it’s about giving them an understanding of the computer science principles and programmes that drive digital technologies. The aim is to enable them to learn how to design their own digital solutions and become creators of, not just users of, digital technologies.
The Digital Curriculum aims for students to become creators and innovators of digital technologies, not just users.
Dorothy's korero was all about EMPOWERING our students and whanau. Technology is NOT just a tool!
There are so many opportunities for our students to create a pathway in life by accessing technology that is available to them. There are many examples of how 'everyday' people have used YouTube as a vehicle to make a living for eg. Stay at Home Dad and make up tutorials. Technology is empowering students and their whanau to have access to opportunities that have never been possible before!
An example that I have seen where a student has been empowered and harnessed the power on technology to create opportunities is the business Potiki, Georgia used Kickstarter to get her project off the ground - Georgia's Kick Starter Page. This young 12 year old business entrepreneur has created an opportunity by making quality poi and offering videos for users on how to use them. She has a facebook presence, a media following and she sells a quality product.
The digital curriculum reminds us to keep in mind that many jobs available now for our students were not available last decade.
Whaea Monika spoke to our group about the Raranga Matihiko programme which aims to deliver innovative digital technologies while increasing access to national and local exhibitions and collections. Students take part in many unplugged activities including logistical thinking, spacial awareness, communication and lots of team work. The then learn to use digital technology to enhance their learning. Monika took us through an unplugged activity and gave us time to work on coding using Scratch. She encouraged us to think about coding as logical thinking and students can use coding for digital story telling.
We also had an opportunity to use the VR goggles, Stop Motion and Dashbots too. This has been something that I have been keen to try for awhile and I finally got the opportunity and loved it!
Today I felt empowered as we were introduced and given time to practice new technologies at Waitangi. I feel like this has improved my confidence when coding using Scratch especially and I see a number of ways that Scratch will engage and motivation my students to explore digital storytelling. I am looking forward to using Scratch with my students during Maori Language Week, to explain the water cycle (one of our topics at the moment), for our Free Writing Friday, explaining math strategies, there are so many ways that this could be incorporated into our classroom!
There are always things that I take from DFI that I think would improve my workflow. Patsy shared a site that she had made for their school trip to China and it made me think about the basketball association that I am part of. I think that a google site would make everything for the association more visible for our members and ease of use would improve for our committee members too. This will be my next work in progress.
No comments:
Post a Comment