Finding My Feet Again.

Visible Learning Dorothy

There is a difference between visible teaching and learning.  We are used to having visible learning (classroom displays, newsletters etc) but this is adding teaching element.

There are 4 elements of visibility

visible to learner

visible to whanau

visible teacher

visible to colleagues

Learning is no longer about students trying to read teacher's mind because they can access success criteria, WALTS, rewindable learning.  This has opened up the learning journey for some people.

Technology makes teaching and learning visible.  People can see the whole learning journey as it is visible.  It should  include planning, process, outcomes and assessment.  There should be no surprises as teaching and learning should be accessible, available and ready in advance.  This makes me think I shoul look at adding my Long Term Plan to my class site. 

Hapara designed specifically for manaiakalani.  to makes learning visible.  Sites is the main tool that makes teaching visible.  The entire Manaiakalani project has changed who we are teaching and learning.

Multi Modal

We have the ability to deliver communications to others in a way that reaches them, suits them and engages them.  In history there have been many different modes of communication.  Every learner has their own preference for communication and by having a multi modal site there is the opportunity to be inclusive for all learners and to differentiate learning.

The priority goals for multi modal are- engagement, personalised learning, accelerated achievement, and empowerment

The homepage of your site needs to entice people to go in.  It needs a 'Wow factor' that reflects what is currently happening in class. Ask yourself is the content engaging?  Will it hook learners in?  When considering my own blog - maybe I need to find time to add current pics of the kids working and examples of current work they are doing.

What makes a multimodal site? 

Personalised learning, on task behaviours and cognitive engagement

Multi-textural

Accelerated achievement is shown when teachers use multiple texts and modes

It's a journey - it won't happen overnight!

Hapara hot tip

New learning from the hot tip -  when using sharing tab can search for files, Give time for kids to organise their drive throughout the term - don't wait until the end of the year, Google will empty bin after 30 days.

Exploring Multi Modal Sites

some use slides or add to one page - i have used slides for last 6 years on my site

interesting lack of learning outcomes or learn create share references inreading page

must be easy to nabigate around not too busy

overdrive an online library that I will have to check out

Google sites

When setting up a folder for a site set permissions for the entire folder.  Plan your site.  I must check out Jam Board to see if it is something I want to use.

The site header is the first thing your visitors will see so should draw them in.  I might try to add the school logo to my banner.

I had new learning today about creating buttons.  This will be a time saver for me as I have designed buttons on Google Drawings in the past and then linked them the hard way.  

In the past I have used the insert menu on the side of the screen rather than just double clicking where I want to add things.  It is so much easier to do it with the double click.

It was good to see how to group text boxes and uploads and how to turn text boxes into headings

Important to remember to publish after making changes.  I am usually fairly good with this.

More new learning - adding an announcement banner - this will put an announcement across the top of the page.

When everyone was looking through the multi text database I went and reread about T shaped literacy.  I have used the multi modal database in the pas. 

Making a Site

It was great to use jam board (like a digital sticky notesI To start with I put all my info on the wrong page - skipped a step. then couldn't copy it to add it to right page.  I must listen to instructions better.  Practicing with Jam Board is important so I feel more confident with it before using it with my class.

For today's create session we had to make a site- good way to practice making site and I was able to try out some of the new learning I had found out about today.  As I already have a class site I prefer using slides or drawings to add to my already created site.

Here is a link to the site I began today.  I don't think I will finish it as I have to think about how much value it will add.

Site Link

To finish off the day we were given tips such as  installing the Manaiakalani theme to have the same widgets etc that the facilitators use.

We were also given instructions on using labels.  I have been doing with class for ages.  At times getting kids to do it is a chore.  You can change the layout of labels in configure labels.

Last thoughts

I will continue to add the shortcuts and tips (that I remember) to my daily teaching and learning to make my life easier. Where appropriate I will share new ideas with pupils - eg Jam Board.