Session 6 DFI Reflection and Learning


What's on top? A short week with Queen's Birthday, interschool volleyball tournament and DFI means I've had two days in class - really looking forward to having a full, 'normal' week in class. 

Today's DFI session was a really good opportunity to get stuck into our class learning sites, and build on from the last session. One of the challenges I am finding at the moment is combining what I know to be effective teaching and planning as a classroom educator, with the power of using Google Sites to enhance my student's learning. 

We shared and discussed our learning sites with our DFI peers. I believe my site is well-presented, not too cluttered and I love the colour scheme. A couple of points really stuck out for me with our site design, and sometimes they don't hit home until you hear it said out loud. Number one, your most important items should be within one 'scroll' of your page. Consider this point especially for learners who often need assistance, so put their learning at the top of the page. Number two, the information students need should be within TWO clicks - very happy to say I've had this going for some time in my planning. 

One area my site needs attention with within my planning is the actual weekly template itself. I'll admit there's a lot of scrolling and clicking within the document. It can also get a bit wordy, but that's because it contains both teacher instruction AND instructions for my students. This is one of my most recent dilemmas - making learning accessible for students, while also trying to avoid 'double handling' of information around my planning. 

I've done this before, it is time consuming and not something I want to repeat. I know in my maths and reading planning templates that I've got this established pretty well but my writing plan and weekly overview are often added to throughout the week. 

I like the planning template I use on Google Docs. I have used the programme more effectively in the last 5-6 years of my teaching and constantly update and edit my planning to suit my learners and their needs. What I'm going to try differently with my DFI learning is put these ideas into my planning. For example, create more multimodal opportunities which enhance student learning, teaching and engagement. 

Time is a factor and it's very easy for me to get stuck in rabbit holes of wonderings, looking at other people's sites, playing with different settings on Google Sites, especially when I often think "I wonder what will happen if". Having the purpose for learning in mind and even a basic plan will at least help guide me towards my end goals with multimodal learning and better site design. 

Sandpit Learning  

Creating Buttons and Icons: I enjoyed this part the most. I must apologise to Matt and Jeremy as both have shown me a few times before how to do this. Today I finally cracked it! 

Process: Download image > open new GDrawing canvas > SQUARE dimensions are a lot easier to work with (e.g. 1000 x 1000 pixels) > Insert image > resize and crop for area to use as your icon > mask image (the down arrow beside the crop button) > pick shape for button > voilà! 

Google Slides and word wrap: you cannot easily word wrap around objects and images. Depending on your point of view, this either forces you as the the user to think more creatively or is just a nuisance. I'm of the latter opinion right now. 

Google Slides reading planning: I created a Google Slide planning template which I wanted to use on my class learning site. I had lots of issues with constantly having to resize the tables, remove paragraph spaces, word wrap. I don't see this being used in the immediate future as it gave me more problems than solutions. I won't give up on it, but the idea is parked for now. 

Google Sheets for planning: I have used this before. Tried to create a template today but I was reminded why I avoided using Sheets. There are a lot of little things which make require just a tiny bit more concentration. This is not something I'm willing to invest time in. Gave it an honest crack for a year but hated it and never got used to it. Not impossible but also not my preference for any record of mass word documentation. Google Docs for the win! 

Hapara for planning: There is a way to use Teacher Dashboard in Hapara as my planning template. I'm very interested and would like to know more. 

Google Site Image Carousel: I didn't add one but now I know how to do it - pretty easy set to set up. Using images of your students on your site adds a nice personal touch. It can also be motivating for learner's to see themselves and help take 'ownership' for their learning in class and online. 

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