Digital Fluency Intensive (My first Blog)

Introduction:

I am reminded by the whakatauaki;

“E ki ana koe ki ahau, he aha te mea nui; maku e ki atu kia koe, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata.

Should you ask me, what is our greatest treasure? I will respond that it is people, it is people, it is people.”

I struggled as a Principal to make a decision to attend this Digital Fluency Course (DFI).

Today, with my colleagues and new friends, we began the journey together. I’ve decided to take part in the second Digital Fluency Intensive course, beginning 23 July 2019, in Christchurch. I thought about all the reasons why I shouldn’t be here, including workload, personnel, and student issues to deal with at school.

Then I thought about the reasons why I must be here, and for me, it is about people. I have asked my staff to change the world, to use digital tools, to become fluent in the use of these tools and then to share their learning with our students and others. I can rise no higher than the standards of excellence that we collectively set within our schools, although the schoolhouse and environment of modern learning practices are now at the forefront of New Zealand education. I can not expect any of my staff to do something that I must do myself. I am here learning and seeking new knowledge, amongst a group of people with similar passions, commitments and desires. We are all educators, with a broad range of experiences and expertise, we are lifelong learners, and we are people wanting to make a difference for our students. I have a degree of reservation attending this particular course, my skills and capabilities as a digitally fluent citizen are in need of support.

When I think about what I have learned today, my feelings turn to the beginning of the day, we started with karakia — an appropriate opening to new and exciting learning. Then there was mihimihi (introductions) before we can get to work with each other, it is important to share who we are and what school we are representing.

Dorothy Burt shared with us “The ManaiaKalani Story” an interesting narrative of a journey and commitment beginning from 2016 to DFI today. Thank you, Dorothy, for reminding us about ‘Why’, about sharing a passion and desire of a low socio-economic community making a difference for their learners, for giving hope to a community of struggling learners, and for bringing that hope to Christchurch. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the explorers and navigators of the ManaiaKalani story and the gift that you bring and share with other educators of Aotearoa.

Learn, Create and share is a pedagogy of practice, and it is underpinned by a successful, experienced team. It is a methodology or teaching and learning practice supported by evidenced based data. The pen has been replaced by a digital device. In our technological world, we have advanced the types of tool that we are using in the classroom, and therefore, teachers need to be upskilled in the use of these tools.

Our first lesson focused on Google groups. I had no idea that such a google package existed. I wanted to know more. I could see the potential of using the google group platform as a leadership tool. Later in the day, Kelsey helped me to create: senior leadership, deans, and senior management groups. I also plan to create a google group for my Board.

At least a couple of times during the day I got that ‘aha moment,’ i.e. when you realise you have been doing something for years and someone shows you a zap shortcut. Wow! I should have known that and it makes one feel like an idiot.

I have a goal to learn about the tools that my staff and students are using. I expect to share their frustrations, anxieties and successes. I trust that at the end of our DFI course, I will be able to master some of the digital tools that our learners are using.

Today, I will leave with new learning; I have: created a google doc, learnt a few short cuts, inserted images into a table, and I am blogging for the first time.

Most importantly, I am pleased to be here, learning new things, and sharing this learning with a group of fantastic people.

Thank you for this opportunity.

This link takes the reader to our website: Mairehau High School