Year 11 Science Collaborative Learning.

Kia ora, 

It was great pleasure watching my Year 11 Science students working in groups of 3 and sharing their prior learning around Mining, Deforestation and Fossil Fuels. There was a real buzz in the classroom as students discussed and recorded their ideas and supported each other to make sense of the impacts of these human induced activities on various spheres. As their confidence grew they shared their finding with other students in the class. They gave each other feedback and feedforward to co construct their learning and improved their metacognition. This deepened their understanding to work at excellence Level. Below are some photographs of their thoughts: 

Teacher only Day

 Kia ora,

These are my reflections about the Profession Development that I attended on Friday 27  of January 2023. This PD was lead by whaea Ruth in collaboration with whaea Patsy, whaea Kerry and whaea Nyree.

Firstly, we started with a activity on whakawhanaungatanga where we got to talk and listen about our holiday to a random person and then introduce that person to few other people. I felt so comfortable and safe sharing my holiday experience with my colleagues. It was interesting to hear what other people were up to during their break and you always get a little insight into other people's interests.

Secondly, I did the activity around where I belong on the waka. This is where I identified my core values that helps me stay grounded, set goals, identified my strengths and what support I need to achieve my goals. Whaea Patsy gave the us a paper paddle of the waka where we had to write on it. This was very emotional for me as it gave me opportunity to think and incorporate the values that my ancestor(grandfather) taught me. Furthermore, whaea Kerry showed and gave us ideas where we could do this digitally using google drawing.  

Thirdly, whaea Ruth we did the donut exercise on key competences. This activity was so engaging where I was given opportunity to apply all the key competences.

In addition, I was given time to think about the educational turning point that had impact in my life . I selected 1996 where I challenged the science teacher about what she was teaching and what my grandparents taught me at home. That moment was the point where I was motivated to make decisions for myself.

Finally I was able to work in my department to discuss four focus questions in regards to New Zealand curriculum.

Overall, today was one of the best PD experience I felt after a very long time. This day provided me space where I could genuinely share, grow my understanding and work away with tools that I can use in my teaching pedagogy. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to whaea Ruth, whaea Patsy, whaea Nyree and whaea Kerry for this wonderful professional development to me and my colleagues. 

Thank you

Kamlesh Prakash

DFI 9

Kia Ora,
 Today was our last DFI session held at Taipa Area School. I will reflect on by answering the following questions:

What did I learn that increased my understanding of Manaiakalani kaupapa and pedagogy? I have learnt so much over this 9 week  and I am happy with Learn, Create Share pedagogy.
What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow as a professional?

I learnt about google site, sheet, docs, forms, Hapara workspace and a lot more that has increased my confidence to use effectively with my learners.

What did I learn that could be used with my learners? All the things over 9 weeks  that I have learnt can be used with my Students or learners.
What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow in my personal life?

I learnt how to make or use google site, google slide and lots of other google apps that will help me. I will revisit all the links from each of the 9 DFI agenda so I on learning and practicing to become super confident with Digital Technology. I am happy with my DFI Badge for now

Many thanks to our excellent facilitators Kerry and Venessa.

DFI 8

Hello Everyone,

Today our session was at Waitangi Learning Centre. I will reflect on today's session by answering the following questions:

(1)What did I learn that increased my understanding of Manaiakalani kaupapa today - specifically empowerment? 

I learnt more about computational Thinking from Digital Technology Curriculum and it really fits in the learn, create, share pedagogy of Manaiakalani.

(2)What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow as a professional? 

Learn about how to use scratch and make different code.

(3)What did I learn that could be used with my learners? 

Students can tell story by using scratch.

(4)What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow in my personal life?Learnt about coding and how it can be used to solve problems. 

Many thanks to Venessa, Kerry & Monica.  

DFI 7

Kia Ora,
Today, we started our Digital Intensive Course with Taumata led by the students and teachers of Tautoro school. I will answer the following questions to reflect on the day.

What did I learn that increased my understanding of being connected with Manaiakalani’s kaupapa and pedagogy? Learn ,Create and Share pedagogy with dealing with data. Transparency and continuity with learners achievement record.

What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow as a professional?Google sheets, Google forms,google maps.

What did I learn that could be used with my learners?
How to create google chart using data from google sheet. Here is the chart I made using one of the students (Ebony) blog data.


What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow in my personal life?
Using google sheets to analyse data or budget.

Many thanks to Venessa, Kerry & Alicia.

Digital Intensive Course -6

Kia Ora,
Today we started our course at Taipa School. I will reflect on by answering the following questions.

• What did I learn that increased my understanding of Manaiakalani kaupapa, pedagogy and enabling access/ visible learning? I learnt that when making a site it is very important that the site is easy to navigate and is easily accessible  to the learner and the wider community( our Parents) and the have the permission to access your pages on the site.
• What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow as a professional? I learnt how create new site.
• What did I learn that could be used with my learners?  google site. 
• What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow in my personal life? Enabling access.

Many thanks to Kerry and Venessa.

DFI 5-Devices

Kia Ora,
Today, our Digital Intensive Course was held at Paihia School. We started the day with Manaiakalani karakia. I learnt about the following:

• Cybersmart-I can incorporate smart media and smart surfing in my lessons
• Hapara Teacher Dashboard- I can use Hapara Workspace with my learners
• key features or shortcut in chromebook
• using iPad
• screencastify- I can share this videos with my students.

All the above will definitely make my life easier as a teacher. Thanks Manaiakalani. I created the Screencastify video for my year 12 Chemistry learners. It's on how to balance Redox half equation.

Many thanks to Kerry, Venessa and Khismira.