Becoming a Digitally Fluent Principal

Introductions

I am reminded of the Maori proverb Ka pu te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi in the context of the Digital Fluent Intensive (DFI) course moving from traditional pedagogy to modern digital strategies.

I feel a sense of sadness as the Christchurch cohort DFI course enters its last day. I take the opportunity to thank and acknowledge the presenters, facilitators, and DFI colleagues for providing me with a fabulous course. During the DFI programme, I have learnt, I have created, and I have shared my knowledge of the DFI programme. To all, I say, thank you.

I also acknowledge the people behind the Manaiakalani scenes. These people are the backbone to the practice of Learn, create, and share. I look forward to the national hui being held in Auckland in October.

I am hearing from my own staff, “after 8 weeks, I now get it”. John wrote the following.

“I understand the Learn Create Share kaupapa now.  I’d heard it being talked about in the staffroom, but I get it now.  Where was it 39 years ago at Auckland Training College when David Lange spoke to the assembled crowd of eager teacher trainees?  His lank, greasy hair and marmite jar glasses cut an impressive figure.”

What has worked for me since the last time we met? 
I am still consolidating my knowledge of Google tools, in particular, Google: Docs, calendar, keep, and drive. The devices are being embedded in my everyday practice. I am using Google Keep as a tool to research and collate information for school purposes.

What hasn’t worked or made sense?
I’m okay; most things have worked and starting to make sense. If anything, it is just having an in-depth knowledge of the functionality of each of the Google App settings and fine-tuning my knowledge the each of the tools. 

What do I need help with?
I would like support to develop an automated Google form: Context- personnel, to embed a code into NZ Gazette linked to an application Google form, to automatically generate a spreadsheet to compile information, to allow applicants to download their CV and covering letter, automatically send multiple responses to the applicant. E.g. application received, and later advice on next steps, i.e. shortlisting. The goal is to automate the recruitment processes and share the data with key staff.

Ubiquitous learning: (Hannah West )
Anytime, anyplace, anywhere. Learners have the opportunity to have a high-quality learning experience right now.

Hannah referenced an innovative literacy strategy called the Summer Learning Journey (SLJ), which was created to support student learning. The research found that students who blogged through the summer learning journey at least twice a week, on average, had better gains in reading and writing than students who posted less frequently. The inference is that blogging supports writing outcomes. Interestingly, no teachers were present, and there were no learning intentions about surface features.

Google for Education Certificate:
There was some degree of trepidation sitting the 3- hour Google Certified Educator examination. The memory of sitting university papers in bygones days comes flooding back to the mind. If I did not pass, then there are inferences and potential disparages that could potentially be cast on my skills and abilities as a leader. I was pleased to receive the email of congratulations from the Google for Education robot that marked my paper. 

All in all, if I had not passed, it wouldn’t have mattered. The learning from DFI over the last nine weeks will continue to support what I do as a Principal. I was also pleased for my other two Mairehau colleagues as we snatched the trifecta of success.  The key issue for all of us is the progress we have all made during DFI. The DFI cohort of teachers will return to their schools with knowledge, skills and capabilities to share with our students, staff, and communities.

Maniakalani opportunities: (Hannah West)
Hannah presented an overview of leadership opportunities in the Manaiakalani (link). The pipeline of leadership enables teachers to share and upskill their digital expertise to others. The innovative teacher and Google class on-air programme are available for teachers. 

Manaiakalani teachers have been evaluated by the Woolf Fisher Research Centre for a number of years now.  It is a wonderful opportunity for affirming things teachers are doing.

Works Cited
“DFI Ubiquitous.” Google Slides


Google for Education allows for progression by certification. It is an opportunity for teachers to gain recognition and qualification. The qualifications would be particularly useful for anyone applying for teaching positions in a New Zealand school. The following image provides an overview of the qualification progression.

The weeks attending DFI seem to have gone very quickly. I get Learn, Create, and Share better now than anytime before. My next step is to implement the practice successfully in a secondary school setting. My long term goal is to embed practice across the secondary school network of Christchurch.

Conclusion:
To all who enter the schoolhouse of learning and to those that take the chance to attend a DFI course. My karanga (call) to my fellow Principal colleagues; in my view, it is worthwhile prioritising the workload of leadership business for the opportunity of learning and creating in a digital environment. Let the day to day operations of dealing with students, staff, and parents be put aside for a moment of time to enter a programme which would help to transform your schools. I share with other lifelong learners my total acknowledgement of Learn, Create, and share and the fantastic course that we call DFI.