DT With Mrs B

DDDO stands for Designing and Developing Digital Outcomes . It is one of the five technological areas in the revised New Zealand technology curriculum. DDDO is about developing students' skills in designing, developing, and using digital technologies to create solutions to real-world problems. DDDO is a critical strand in the technology curriculum because it prepares students for the digital world in which they live and work. Students who develop strong DDDO skills will be able to create and use digital technologies to solve problems, communicate ideas, and express themselves creatively. Here are five activities that teachers can do to help students achieve the DDDO strand: Design and create a website or blog. This activity can help students learn about the different elements of a website or blog, such as content, layout, and design. Students can also learn about how to use digital tools to create and publish their website or blog. Develop a mobile app. This activity can help ...

I'm super stoked to share some thoughts about Google Keep today! 🎉 If you're not already using it, you're seriously missing out on something fab. Let's dive in and explore why Keep is the ultimate tool for teachers and students alike.  First off, what's not to love about Google Keep? It's like having a digital Post-it note on steroids! You can jot down notes, create to-do lists, and even add images to keep things fresh and exciting. It's your all-in-one organisation companion, and it'll keep you and your students on track. Now, let's talk benefits: 1. Simplicity and User-Friendly Interface: Keep is so intuitive that even your tech-challenged neighbour could master it. It's all about ease of use, and that's a huge win for us busy teachers. 2. Accessibility Across Devices: Whether you're on your laptop, tablet, or phone, Keep has got your back. No more searching for that lost piece of paper with your essential notes on it. It's all syn...

  Kia ora, fellow educators! 📚 In today's Tech Tip Tuesday, we're diving into the powerful "Search Within" function in Google Drive. As teachers immersed in the digital realm, you're likely managing a treasure trove of files from various sources – students, colleagues, shared drives, and more. Here's why "Search Within" is your digital ally, and why you should consider it over the conventional search method. 1. Precision at Your Fingertips 🧐 Search within a specific folder, ensuring pinpoint accuracy in finding files, assignments, and resources. 2.  Time-Saver Extraordinaire ⏱️ Quickly locate teaching materials, lesson plans, or shared resources, maximising your teaching efficiency.  Follow the steps in the gif I made below, to support the process. So, there you have it! "Search Within" in Google Drive is your digital compass, helping you navigate the vast sea of files and resources in the digital classroom. 🌐 Give it a go, and watch you...

Kia ora, fellow educators! It's Motivation Monday, and today we're diving into the exciting world of stop motion animation. Whether you're just curious about adding a dash of creativity to your classroom or looking for a fresh approach to teaching, I've got you covered. What is Stop Motion Animation? First things first, let's break it down. Stop motion animation is a captivating filmmaking technique where you bring inanimate objects or drawings to life, frame by frame. It's like making magic happen on screen! Getting Started with iPads and iMovie I teach in a fully-spec'd out Media studio, complete with green screens, and tonnes of tripods, iPads and macbooks.  So for a while, I've been using iPads and iMovie to teach stop motion animation. It's user-friendly and perfect for beginners. If you're fortunate enough to have these resources then here's a quick overview: 1. Preparation: Gather your materials - iPads, objects to animate, and a tripo...

Google Smart Chips Unveiled Google Smart Chips are like the magic glue that effortlessly connects all your teaching resources in one place. They're all about simplifying your life as an educator and making teaching a breeze. Imagine this: You're planning a unit, and you want to link a relevant document without all the fuss. Google Smart Chips got you covered. They allow you to embed links to Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms right in your lesson plan. No more endless searching or copying and pasting links. It's as easy as mentioning the document's name, and the chip does the rest. YouTube Clips Integration YouTube is a treasure trove of educational content, but finding and incorporating clips can be time-consuming. Google Smart Chips come to the rescue again. By simply mentioning a YouTube video's title or keyword, these chips embed the video directly into your plan or document. It's like having a personal YouTube curator at your service. Google Apps Harmon...

In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of effectively organising your Google Drive. Whether you're a digital technologies specialist or a solo teacher looking to enhance your skills, a well-organised Drive can make your life easier. Let's dive in. The Art of Folders 1. Logical Numbering: Start by numbering your folders to maintain a logical order. For instance, begin with "01 - Planning," "02 - Resources," and so on. 2. Colour Coding: Colour-coding your folders can help categorise subjects, terms, or any system that suits your needs. 3. Emojis in Names: Did you know you can add emojis to your file or folder names in Google Drive? Emojis can bring creativity and fun to your organisation. To do this, right-click on the folder or file, select "Rename," and insert your chosen emoji. Perhaps a 📚 for resources or 🗓️ for planning? Visual Guide I've prepared a short video to guide you through these steps visually. Check it out below: Benef...

Kia ora, fellow educators! Today, we're diving into the creative world of digital mosaics using Google Drawings. I've also created a handy video tutorial to guide you through the process. Let's explore how this activity can align with specific progress outcomes from the New Zealand Curriculum for Digital Technologies and benefit your classrooms. Below is part of my lesson plan.  This demonstrates the priorities that I focussed on when implementing this lesson in my space. Three Compelling Reasons to Use Digital Mosaics: 1. Enhanced Creativity: Digital mosaics allow students to express their creativity and artistic skills in a unique way. They can experiment with colour, patterns, and shapes, fostering their artistic talents while working with technology. 2. Cross-Curricular Integration: Mosaics can be integrated into various subjects, from history (creating mosaic representations of historical figures) to science (designing mosaic depictions of cells). This versatility make...

In today's digital age, the effective integration of technology in the classroom is not just about substituting traditional methods; it's about transformation. Google Slides, a versatile tool within the Google Workspace suite, offers educators the opportunity to move beyond mere substitution and truly transform their teaching practices. Let's explore how Google Slides can be used transformatively, following the SAMR model, to create a dynamic learning experience for your students. Source: PowerSchool 1. Substitution - Traditional Slideshows: Starting at the base of the SAMR model, we often use Google Slides as a substitution for traditional paper-based slideshows. While this brings some advantages like easy sharing and access, it doesn't fundamentally change the learning experience. To truly transform, we need to go further. 2. Augmentation - Adding Multimedia Elements:  Moving up the SAMR ladder, we can augment our teaching by incorporating multimedia elements like ima...

 Kia ora, fellow educators!  🌟 Have you ever hit that "send" button on an email only to feel an instant pang of regret? Or perhaps you've had that sinking feeling when you realise you forgot to attach an essential document? Fear not! In the digital realm, mistakes happen, but Google's got your back with the remarkable 'Undo Send' feature in Gmail. As a digital technologies enthusiast and educator, I'm here to walk you through the wonders of this function and how it can be your best ally in avoiding those dreaded email mishaps. Undo Send: Your Second Chance in the Digital World 📧 Picture this: you've just composed an important email to a colleague, a parent, or even a student. Your finger hovers over the send button, but doubt creeps in—did I attach the presentation? Is my tone just right? With the 'Undo Send' feature, you can now breathe a sigh of relief. This nifty tool gives you a brief window of opportunity to recall your email after sendi...

  In today's digital age, fostering creativity and digital literacy skills among students is essential. One effective way to achieve this goal is through engaging activities that combine technology and self-expression. In this blog post, we'll explore a fantastic Canva activity that not only helps students become familiar with the platform but also aligns seamlessly with the New Zealand Digital Technologies Curriculum. Before diving into the activity, let's briefly introduce Canva. Canva is an intuitive and user-friendly graphic design tool that empowers users to create visually appealing designs, from social media graphics to presentations and more. Its drag-and-drop interface and vast library of templates, images, and fonts make it a versatile platform suitable for various projects. Activity: Personalised Name Art with Canva The activity we're spotlighting involves turning one's name into a personalised work of art using Canva. As showcased in the accompanying vid...