DFI Session 8 - Computational Thinking

Today's session was all about Computational Thinking.
The day started as usual with Karakia followed by WWW where it was a good way to collaborate and catch up with members in our Digital Bubbles with facilitator Nicola. A very positive response about how we are heading towards the end of term looking forward to the end of Week 12.

The Manaiakalani Pedagogy and Kaupapa covered to day was "Empowered"
What I learnt was that through
technology and the devices being used, these were not only a tool for learners and educators but an expensive tool for life time learners. The slides which were visual and had meaning showed that the schools from Tamaki were all in the socio economical decile one area surrounded by neighbouring Decile 10 schools. Over the years of determination and a clear vision the programme has grown through the empowerment of many involved.





















This was followed by the Chalk n Talk of an Introduction into Computational Thinking and Higarau Matihiko. There were various links into programmes that have been produced over time from Te Papa and Through the Manaiakalani Outreach programme, teachers are supported to acquire digital fluency required for effective teaching, planning, assessment and professional learning
Teachers learn how digital technologies used effectively can have a significant impact on accelerating achievement outcomes
Supporting teacher digital fluency and confidence to deliver the curriculum in a digital environment in a 1:1 digital learning environment.

The technology strands were visited with the processes and Cybersmart alignment to the new Digital Technologies Curriculum. The following links were shared with us so that we could go online later and have a look. 

After this was unpacked we were able to have a play with the various coding tools offered. I had the opportunity to choose from the basic and stay on basic coding. Makey makey was fun and Microbit was a challenge where I was fascinated by the heart made shapes, name and emotions being transferred from computer to microbit. Here are a few of my creations caught on screen.

Achieved Puzzle two with 6 lines of codes.

Another achievement of completing the first level of sample minecraft.

My first intro to microbit enabled me to follow the instructions carefully.

 

This was fun makey makey I think.

The final time was spent on tips for resgistering for the upcoming three hour test, helpful hints for completing our blogs with the check list  and what further requirements needed for practice and staying empowered as life long digitally fluent intensive learners!