DT With Mrs B

Kia ora, fellow educators and parents! Today's blog post takes a slight detour from our usual content to introduce a game-changer for teachers who are also parents, especially those with younger children. Meet SquareOne , a Kiwi-created app designed to revolutionise the way we manage pocket money. As a teacher and a parent preparing for an upcoming family trip to Australia, I found myself on a quest to instil financial responsibility in my 12 and 14-year-olds. The challenge was to discover a digital tool that not only facilitated money management, but also made the process engaging and educational. SquareOne emerged as the answer to my quest. This New Zealand-developed app allows parents to set chores and allocate corresponding amounts to their children. The beauty lies in its simplicity – kids submit completed chores, and parents approve payments through the app. The real magic happens when the money is transferred from the parent's account to the child's account. SquareOn...

We've all used Kahoot, right?  But have you used Gimkit yet?  If not, this post will change your teaching world... Gimkit, a digital quiz game (similar to Kahoot, yet soooo different), offers a dynamic approach to introducing, reviewing, or assessing various subjects. It brings an element of fun and engagement to even the most challenging topics. Gamification blends game elements into non-game contexts, making learning tasks more enjoyable. It adds elements of competition, challenge, and reward. Gimkit embodies gamification with features like: - Competition: Students compete to answer questions correctly and earn points. - Challenge: Questions can be tough, but students can earn power-ups to help them answer correctly. - Reward: Students earn virtual currency for right answers, which they can use to buy power-ups or compete in other games. Source: re:ed tech Gimkit can be used for: - Introducing New Concepts: Use it to introduce topics in a captivating way, like teaching cell ...

Technology is always evolving, and it brings exciting developments. Here are five significant technology trends in 2023 and how they affect the emerging workforce: 1. The Rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) AI is already making a significant impact across various industries, and its influence is expected to continue growing. AI-powered systems are now capable of automating a wide range of tasks, from customer service to manufacturing, freeing up human workers to focus on more creative and strategic endeavours. Impact on the emerging workforce: The emerging workforce needs to be prepared to work alongside AI systems and leverage them effectively. This involves developing skills in areas such as data science, machine learning, and ethical considerations in artificial intelligence. 2. The Growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) The IoT, consisting of interconnected physical devices that collect and exchange data via the internet, is enabling innovative applications across multiple industr...

 Kia ora, fellow educators!  📚 Today, let's explore two sweet presentation tools - the laser pointer and pen tool. 🖋️🧐 These features can be invaluable for teachers in presentation mode within Google Slides. Let's dive in! Laser Pointer: 🔦 The trusty laser pointer mimics the real-world tool we've used for years. In presentation mode, you can use it to highlight specific content on your slides. Point out key concepts, important details, or direct your students' focus effortlessly. It's a simple but effective way to keep your audience engaged. Pen Tool: ✍️ The pen tool, on the other hand, lets you write and draw directly on your slides. This feature is like having a digital whiteboard at your fingertips. You can underline, circle, or jot down notes as you go along. It's fantastic for live explanations, brainstorming, or solving problems interactively. Benefits for Teachers: 👩‍🏫 So, why are these features essential for us educators? Here's why: 1. Engagem...

Utilising Google Chrome's Reading Mode for Educators Kia ora, fellow educators! Today, let's delve into a handy tool that can significantly benefit both teachers and students: Google Chrome's Reading Mode. This feature allows you to strip away distractions from web pages, making the content more accessible and engaging, which can be particularly advantageous in an educational setting. Why Should Educators Embrace Reading Mode? 1. Enhancing Accessibility Reading Mode enables educators to customise fonts, font sizes, line spacing, and text/background colours. This flexibility makes it easier to cater to students with dyslexia or other learning needs, ensuring that reading materials are tailored to their specific needs. 2. Focusing on Core Content Reading Mode helps students concentrate solely on the essential text by eliminating distractions like ads, images, and sidebars. This proves invaluable for easily distracted students or those struggling to stay on task. 3. Boosting R...

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...

This week's Prompt: Questions: 1. What are the benefits of gamification in the classroom? 2. Do you currently incorporate gamification without digital technologies? If yes, how do you do it? 3. Could you leverage digital technology tools for the gamification of a classroom activity? If possible, how would you implement this? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below:

  Hello, dedicated educators! 👋 If you're all about embracing digital tools to enhance your teaching game, then you're in for a treat. Today, let's dive into a handy feature that Google Docs has to offer: the drop-down feature! 🚀 Empowering Self and Peer Assessment Imagine this: you're on a mission to make student assessment more engaging and interactive. Whether it's self-assessment or peer assessment, the Google Docs drop-down feature is about to become your new best friend. It's like giving your students the power to explore their learning journey in a whole new way. 🌟 But wait, there's more! This feature isn't just for assessments. You can also use it to streamline your teaching tasks. Create drop-down menus for frequently used comments, lesson plan templates, or any other resources you often refer to. It's like having your own digital assistant! 🌟 Feeling a tad unsure? No worries! Check out my friendly tutorial video below for a step-by-step...

Today, I'm going to share with you the magic of using practice sets in Google Classroom. Trust me; it's a game-changer! These nifty tools are like virtual worksheets or quizzes that you can create and assign to your students quickly. Here's how it works:  1. Create Custom Practice Sets: You can craft personalised practice sets tailored to your lesson. Add questions of various types – multiple-choice, short answer, or even file attachments. The best part? You're in control, so you can make it as fun or challenging as you like. 2. Assign with a Click: Once your practice set is ready, it's time to share the knowledge! Just hit that "Assign" button, and Google Classroom takes care of the rest. 3. Instant Feedback: Here comes the real magic. As your students work on the practice sets, Google Classroom provides instant feedback on their answers. Students know right away if they're on the right track or need some extra help. 4. Adaptive Learning: This is wher...

Kia ora fellow teachers and digital technology enthusiasts! Today, I want to share with you my recent experience watching the Barbie movie and how it resonates deeply with my passion for digital technologies and the need to encourage more females into coding and technology fields. As a teacher specialising in digital technologies and media, I couldn't help but notice the parallels between the movie and our efforts to empower girls to embrace coding and technology. First and foremost, let me gush about the movie itself. I've watched it three times already (since it's release two weeks ago) - once with my daughter, once with a friend, and just recently, I enjoyed it with my husband. Anyone who knows me well enough, will not be shocked to hear that I adore the Barbie movie.  But my love of all things pink and sparkly is not the only reason that I appreciate the movie.  The cinematography and storytelling are remarkable, showcasing how technology can be harnessed to create ca...

  In the Mindful Minute Segment, I will share a video (probably from Youtube) that  is themed around digital technologies.  Once viewed, teachers are prompted to ponder the implications of the content for students.   Finally, teachers are urged to consider ONE CHANGE that they can make to their practice that aligns with the thinking in the video, to impact student learning. This week's Prompt: Source:  @teachwithit7292 Questions: How is the workforce going to be different for our students?   Are we doing enough? Is there one thing I could change to support student growth in digital literacy? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below: