ULearn 2016

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-M3neOoHjNFdG3Cxz1_sirlNcbv7bqjjPAP9-53DQ4s/edit

End of Mindlab

http://ncarrington-apc.weebly.com/

The above site was used to reflect on applied practice for the last 16 weeks of the Mind lab course on applied practice in context and also includes a reflection of the course.

Using ICT to enhance Literacy workshop

Had a great evening presenting 2 workshops at this event organised by the Waiariki literacy association. It was an honor to be asked and great to meet and share with other teachers.

Mind Lab

Work covered in the first 16 weeks on the Mind lab course.

Student Teacher

Recently had a student teacher in her last placement who challenged my thinking and teaching practices. Good to have students (that's 15 in 5 years) as it is helping develop the profession and also keeps me up to date with current thinking and ideas. I also like to be able to work collaboratively with others and it is good to model this with the class.

Managing change transition

Attended a two day course facilitated by Vikram Murthy on managing transitional change. This involved looking at different types of change and how organisations and individuals perceptive, react and respond to change. We questioned and self analysed our own organisations through many self tests and assessments and gave feedback and presentations of our findings/data. A force field analysis of the driving forces for change and the resisters for change was conducted for both the school and individuals. The effect of change on organisations and individuals was explored and the transitioning process identified. Changing output or skills or people didn't have as profound effect as changing a culture which needed complete change. One aspect that came from this was the need to have a vision that was actually attainable and measurable and the importance of all staff sharing, fostering and working towards the vision and believing in it and it's attainability.

connected Rotorua meet

Friday evening meeting with people of Connected Rotorua.  Looking at ways of doing RTC on line. Discussed different ways of recording evidence. Also questioned ownership of material etc if leaving school if using on Blogger who owns it. Also security of pictures and videos  of children could be an issue.Shared my own RTC with the group.

Connected Educator month

Have been taking part in connected educator month and as part of this have been doing PD on-line and also attended the U-learn mobile day in the holidays, which i attended a workshop on Google apps for use on the Ipad and Torbay school presenting about BYOD. Still not sure about the ability and use of Google apps on the I pads, need to look at other way to collaborate, also need to look at task first rather than tool. As for BYOD not sure if we need to specify a device as this limits, however, would be good to have information for parents of what we are doing and what we may need and to offer some sort of package to lease or buy. As part of connected educator month students in my class have taken part in passing the blog, a blog which showcases Rotorua and is been commented on and accessed globally.

http://connectedrotoruaschools.blogspot.co.nz/

Recent Professional development

Taking part in the above which involves being connected with thousands of educators across New Zealand to partake in professional learning events and to access resources and connect with different communities. Taking part in a month long learning event involving taking part in events each day to complete a kete of PD

Attended Excel Rotorua "what does success look like?" in cooperation with Massey University worked on defining what and how success and progress will be and mean and hoe it can be measured. Felt a little out of my depth with so many distinguished guests at first. However by the end felt our school's input was more than valid and welcomed. Left excited about the future and hopeful that the initiative of having every child connected and access to a devise will be acted upon sooner rather than later.

Had a week trialing BYOD in the classroom, highlighted what we would need to implement to initiate a programme of BYOD.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Bx2pZgQDmDHKJ7lI6v6ffX-_B5ZmYTbiV3BZHO9NLQo/pub

TOD- PACT trial, had PD around what it is and for and how to use it with students. From this I quickly realized that there were areas/strands that needed to be learnt more. Also that we can't teach strands in isolation and at specified times of the year. We need to be using the different strands regularly and using them to enhance and confirm number knowledge and use of strategy.

Maths PD with Bruce Moody around fractions and games and activities to motivate and engage and reaffirm learning. From this have added to independent activities table.

Attended Connected Rotorua workshop on E-portfolios at Selwyn school.

ICT PD

Led an ICT PD session with colleagues on using the SAMR model to scaffold technology use in the classroom and for assessing and evaluating technology use in learning. Used the Ipad to give examples of different stages of the model. After we went into team groups and explained the use and capabilities of apps and Ipad functions. On reflection in the team there was some enthusiasm and some resistance to the new Ipad and the loaded apps, it is apparent that more PD is needed ,(will include this in team meetings with an 'app of the week'), with examples of how and why the Ipad can enhance learning.

BYOD

Attended webinar on BYOD and N4L. Schools shared their journey of implementing BYOD and the effects on learning. Interesting that one school decided what devices children would be allowed and another allowed any and multiple. However, the later was a year 9-13 school. What next for Otonga? Need to question the reason and need for BYOD and how it will impact on learning. These questions need to be put to all involved; the staff, board, community, students.

ICT PD

Took part in a webinar today on N4L and how it is being put into schools and what we can expect from it. mainly discussd its speed of connection and connectivety. Two schools discussed how they could put their money they had saved, from paying for other network providers, towards buying devices and especially the use of Chromebooks. There was some talk around filtering content, but not around what else we can expect from N4L. Really wanted to know what else is going to be available, what resources, capabilities, storage, channels. However, the schools present discussed the impact on learning and achievemt since having access to the internet and at school and the benefits of learning with digital technologies and the transformation of teaching and learning.

PRT/OTT mentoring course

This year I have taken on the role of mentor for a second year provisionaly registered teacher. I attended a course at Glenholme school today which gave me the guidlines, expectations and roles of the mentor and the PRT. As part of the course we were required to share resources, knowledge, strategies and what we are currently doing. From this I questioned how I am supporting, mentoring and what the PRT is doing. At are next meeting I will question and reflect with the PRT what she feels my and her roles are and compare and contrast. This course also made me question what are the characteristics of a quality mentoring programme and am I supporting this way. Sharing with other mentors and PRT's highlighted the importance of being a mentor and the significant role I have in guiding the PRT towards full registration, it also allowed for me to see how different mentors and PRT's manage the I&M programme. We also all shared what evidence is needed for the 12 RTC and how it may look and different ways it may be gathered.

Student teachers

Have another student teacher starting, this will be the eighth in less than three years. Having a student makes me reflect on my own practices and in many incidents observe and learn developments in teaching and learning. It also allows for leadership and facilitate the development of other learners.

Community maths evening.

The Otonga community were invited to a maths evening, where with colleagues we shared teaching and learning in the different maths stages. I shared resources, materials, activities, strategies and number knowledge at stage 5. The evening gave the opportunity for the community to understand how their children learn in school and how they can be supported at home to enhance their learning.

A group were given a problem to solve and we worked on using strategies to find the answer using materials, just as we would with the children at school.