TAI Week 5 Term 2 2018


Reflection, readings, notes and ponderings from TAI Meeting Week 5 Term 2 2018


TAI Reflection Week 5 Term 2 2018

Progress outcome 1:    

In authentic contexts and taking account of end-users, students use their decomposition skills to
break down simple non-computerised tasks into precise, unambiguous, step-by-step instructions
(algorithmic thinking). They give these instructions, identify any errors in them as they are followed,
and correct them (simple debugging).

Progress outcome 2:     

In authentic contexts and taking account of end-users, students give, follow and debug simple algorithms
in computerised and non-computerised contexts. They use these algorithms to create simple program
involving outputs and sequencing (putting instructions one after the other) in age-appropriate programming
environments.
******************************************************************************************************************

OUR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION ON THE FIRST TWO MODULES:
THINGS THAT STUCK!


In simple English:
Computational Thinking: “specific thought processes that involve formulating problems and
their solutions”


IT IS ESSENTIALLY:
SOLVING PROBLEMS DESIGNING SYSTEMS AND UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOUR
IT WILL BE AS FOUNDATION TO LEARNING AS NUMERACY AND LITERACY
IN FUTURE EDUCATION


Algorithms: Like instructional writing - if the task is not able to be completed
because of insufficient information or incorrect information, then, ‘debug’(edit) and try again.
Like a recipe for completing a task.


We were introduced to SCRATCH


Debugging: troubleshooting to find a solution to a problem


“To understand computational thinking the student can identify problems,
break them into smaller parts to enable them to identify and structure a solution’.


KIDS OF TODAY ARE UNPROMPTED AND SELF DRIVEN,
AS THEY ARE ABLE TO ACCESS ANSWERS /INFO INSTANTLY

QUESTIONS AND WONDERINGS:

As this new curriculum will take a few years to roll through all year levels
- ie the 5 year olds now will be the teaching from Progress Outcome 1, how will we at KKC tackle this?
Do we:
Squash the first 6 modules together over the two years in 7/8 in order to play catch up?
Have extra 2 period slots as with Tech and Science to teach this separately?
The TIC of Digital Tech and the Home Room teachers then work together to
plan the ’putting into practise’?
Just include the stage where they should be as of 2018/2019 and try and fill in the gaps as you go?
Put all of the staff through the Digital Passport Training in order to fully understand the why and how?


How do we avoid misunderstandings such as:
Teachers viewing this as something else they have to teach?
Digital Technologies being taught at the expense of other subjects if not a stand alone subject?

Reflection Week 4 Term 2

Professional reading:

Don’t be afraid to ask for help with the new digital technologies curriculum

ISSUE: VOLUME 97, NUMBER 6
Posted: 11:00am, 06 Apr 2018
Reference #: 1H9iF4
Schools and teachers are faring well with the implementation of the new digital technologies curriculum content, but the Ministry of Education urges those who are struggling to ask for help.
Stock image – digital technologies and hangarau matihiko curriculum
Stock image – digital technologies and hangarau matihiko curriculum
Teachers and principals are being urged to start unpacking the new digital technologies curriculum content, which was rolled out this term.
Schools and kura will need to incorporate the new content into their programmes by the beginning of 2020, or earlier.
Ministry of Education Deputy Secretary of Early Learning and Student Achievement Ellen MacGregor-Reid said the new curriculum covered two key areas – ‘computational thinking’ and ‘designing and developing digital outcomes’.
For Māori medium in Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, the Hangarau Matihiko wāhanga ako covers ‘whakaro rorohiko’ and ‘tangata me te rorohiko’.
“It’s not about teaching students to use devices like computers, tablets and smartphones. It’s about teaching them how digital technologies work so they can develop their own digital solutions.”
The education system needed to prepare children and young people to participate, create and thrive in a fast-paced digital world, she said.
“Digital technologies are, and will continue to be, an integral part of our society, our workplaces and our homes.”
Digital Technology Teachers Aotearoa (DTTA) president Gerard McManus said the curriculum reflected reality.
“Everyone talked about coding and designing as these far out ideas, but it’s a real part of kids’ lives now.”
He said the challenge for schools was how to integrate and add value to the new curriculum. - how do we do this so it is just a part of planning not an add-on and part of a more personalised curriculum that reflects our kids and our community?
“It’s not about adding another thing to the curriculum and dropping something else. It’s a new way to create and share across the breadth of the curriculum.”
South Westland Area School social sciences teacher Mark Still has two year levels working solely in the digital world.
“It’s not just a matter of here’s an iPad, Google something, but more the understanding of how to use that device to achieve what you want it to do, and how the device manages to do so. What systems are in place, what processes occur, what computational thinking happens. Then how can we recreate that, replace it, better it?” - so what would this look like in year 7/8 at KKC?
He uses Google Apps to “support and encourage collaboration” with students.
“Google Apps have helped, and are a soft entry into digital fluency for students who have done little work like this before. This work can be seen as preparation and experience for modern working conditions.”
Providing material on and modelling good digital citizenship had also been key in developing digital fluency, he said.
“Students need to understand the importance of their digital presence and develop strategies so that they are protected online.”
Big River Cluster Community of Learning Executive Principal Paddy Ford said the curriculum was “finally catching up” to what good schools already do.
“Lots of schools have already been working in that realm for a number of years. This formalises what we are already doing.”
McManus said a number of schools were already working on delivering the new curriculum, while a number would get on board later.
“My advice would be to get on board now. Reach out and ask for help. The Ministry has a role to play in this. It needs to be showing schools what good practice looks like.”
McManus said schools should look to their local community to help them “unpack” the curriculum, he said. - how do we set this up? who do we approach?
“What I do in Auckland won’t be the same as what is important to another community. It needs to be a local curriculum to support the local community.”
Meanwhile, The Mind Lab by Unitec has launched a new video-based learning platform, the Digital Passport, to support teachers implement the new curriculum. - this could be what the 7/8 students aim for during the two years. They would take their  'digital fluency' into the senior school.
Founder and chair Frances Valintine said there was a “high level” of excitement about the new curriculum.
“It’s very important, especially when you consider the changing knowledge of our children.”
The programme was about practical help and demystified some of the language, she said.
“Take the term ‘computational thinking’. It sounds scary, but it’s as simple as puzzles and using logic. Primary school teachers are generalists, not specialists. We’ve found there can be a high fear of the unfamiliar.”
She said Digital Passport would help teachers “embrace change” to ensure all children could succeed in the face of new information, updated knowledge and technological advancement.
“There’s definitely a generational divide. It’s about equipping teachers and parents with the confidence to be part of the journey.”
The Digital Passport is free for primary, intermediate, and secondary teachers and principals until July, while parents and organisations could purchase the online resource.
“The new curriculum is amazing. The more resources we can give teachers, the more confident they will be.”
MacGregor-Reid said teachers who were looking for more support shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help.
The Ministry had a $38 million support package of initiatives to support the roll-out.
From 2016 the sector had had ‘digital fluency’ support, to ensure teachers could confidently use digital technologies, programmes and devices.
From the end of this term, a nationwide digital readiness programme was due to be available, she said.
“This provides a focused look at the new content. It will introduce teachers and principals to the new Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko curriculum content and teaching strategies.”
Tailored professional development is also on offer, with schools able to select an accredited facilitator to work with them to build a development plan to integrate the content into their local curriculum.
The Ministry also had a range of other support on offer, including curriculum resources, scholarship funds, online modules for teaching NCEA, and the All Equity fund which provided access to technology for less advantaged students.
A new email address – digitech@education.govt.nz – was available for teachers to ask questions or request further information and local Ministry staff are also available to help.
All updates and access to support on the Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko Curriculum content

Reflection - Personal Inquiry

Jen and I discussed how we could utilise what we learn in this Digital Passport Course.  Personalising the curriculum to KKC is a current focus, to support this we could create a DIGITAL PASSPORT/LICENCE process for year 7/8 students.  Completing milestones centered around the ARC Values over the two year period would earn them this licence.

It may look something like:

A - to aspire to achieve each Digital Outcome at specific check points over the two year cycle.
R - learning to be responsible using all digital equipment and resources
C - becoming a DIGITAL CITIZEN through demonstrating proper etiquette while using all digital/internet media

A work in progress...



Thursday Reflection and Development of Personal Inquiry for 2018 - Week 1 Term 2



Digital Technologies Hangarau Matihiko

The new Digital Technologies curriculum will be introduced this year.  To familiarise ourselves with the content and develop the skills to enable the sharing of knowledge and best practise, Jen Carter and I have decided to enrol onto an online course to gain a Digital Passport Qualification. During this journey we will be trialing new ways to incorporate digital technology into everyday classroom practise and recording the findings as part of our Professional Inquiry.

I am very keen to upskill, be challenged, collaborate and share alongside Jen. Our first session is next Thursday and we will reflect after each, as well as record any classroom evidence of putting our learning in place.

Digital Passport

Week 1 Term 2 2018 - Teacher Only Day Monday 30 April

I enjoyed being reacquainted with Maslow's Hierarchy of needs. This model was a frequent part of my initial teacher training and one I used when developing a Crisis Profile Template for at risk students at my previous school.

This is a great way of ensuring we have time to pause and reflect on our practise.  Asking ourselves those importance questions to ensure we are including all the necessary ingredients to make school and learning as successful as possible to all of our students. Our students lives and experiences, good and bad, outside of school has a huge impact on this happening. Self actualisation, is unfortunately something a lot of young people never experience.