DFI#8 Cybersmart and Devices

Today began with considering 'Cybersmart' and what that means for us as educators and the implications for our learners. At the heart of this is "empowering our learners as connected and confident decision makers".  Our kids are constantly facing challenges as they learn in an online environment and have to be equipped for the perils that they can potentially face.  When kids have ubiquitous access it is essential that just as we assess risk and any special circumstances that might need managing when preparing for  an EOTC experience, this needs to be approached with the same degree of forethought and preparation - "taking our kids online is one of the riskiest EOTC experiences that can be undertaken and the Cybersmart serves to ensure that they are well equipped for this experience".

Being proactive...
Cybersmart learning needs to have a schoolwide focus and should have an intentional introduction to each aspect of the Cybersmart Curriculum. If we are successful with the integration of this our learners will have a common learning language and a true understanding of the power and privilege of connectivity and online sharing.

We need to make sure that our learners truly understand that everything they do is visible online  and that they constantly consider what their digital footprint communicates about themselves.





Central to the Manaiakalani Development of 1:1 were the principles of the Treaty Of Waitangi ...Participation, Protection and Partnership and these resonate throughout the Cybersmart Learning.
The following Screencastify explores some of the content that sits within the Cybersmart Site.




Another great day of learning and challenges...

DFI#7 Empowerment and Computational Thinking

Empowered - the word that has been adapted from Agency is what today was all about, but of course this can't be achieved unless the other key factors are interplaying ...ubiquity, visibility and connectivity.

It's NOT just a tool ... the device that is, is so much more than that and teachers are continuing to  explore how best to enhance learning and develop pedagogy

"when it transforms the way we learn, offers us new unchartered experiences and opportunities ..." Dean Shareski, 2011.

"The Manaiakalani kaupapa of empowerment is about the advancing of RANGATIRATANGA; taking back control of their lives."  Pat Snedden


The default is Visibility, that is the learning and artefacts that support the learning should be readily accessible  - this empowers the child so that they don't have to sit and wait and have access to go back and take the time to check and reflect so whenever possible and practical the learning should be rewindable. I'm sure each and every one of us can relate to this having no doubt taken a Youtube tutorial on how to acquire a new skill, solve a problem or learn the latest dance move perhaps, you then understand the power of rewindability.

Further to this today we took a deep dive with OMG Tech to consider  - making Tech accessible for everyone ...preparing our kids for the future ...being responsive to the rapid rate of change that is happening in society.
And I proudly completed my Hour of Code - this is a quick introduction to Coding in a self led environment - check it out...