DT With Mrs B

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 ...

 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...

Kia ora fellow educators!  Today, I want to share my excitement about a fantastic tool that has been helping me foster digital literacy and problem-solving skills in my Digital Technologies (DVC) class – the MaKey MaKey plug and play resources. These incredible kits have allowed my students to delve into the world of debugging while having loads of fun! Now, you might be wondering, "What's the big deal about debugging?" Well, in the New Zealand Digital Technologies Curriculum, debugging plays a pivotal role. It falls under the Computational Thinking practice, which is one of the key areas of the curriculum. Debugging is all about identifying and fixing errors in code or programs, making it an essential skill for our students to develop. In the fast-evolving digital landscape, the ability to debug empowers our learners to think critically and logically. Debugging fosters resilience, as students learn to approach challenges with a positive mindset and persevere until they f...

In the fast-paced world of education, teachers have a lot on their plates. From lesson planning to grading and meetings, their days are often filled with various tasks. One aspect that can be particularly time-consuming is scheduling meetings with parents, students, colleagues, and other stakeholders. However, with Gmail's new "Find a Mutually Convenient Email Time" feature, teachers can efficiently manage their schedules and ensure everyone is available for important meetings. The Convenience of Gmail's Scheduling Tool Gmail has long been a reliable platform for email communication, but its additional features make it an invaluable tool for teachers. The "Find a Mutually Convenient Email Time" feature simplifies the process of scheduling meetings, taking the headache out of coordinating multiple people's schedules. Here's how it works: 1. Access the Gmail Compose Window: Open the Gmail compose window, just like you would when drafting a regular emai...

  Nga Motu: A Minecraft EDU world to support student learning about Te Ao Māori Nga Motu is a Minecraft EDU world created by Piki Studios and dedicated to learning about the indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand. It is a beautiful and immersive world that allows students to explore Māori culture, language, and history in a hands-on and engaging way. Credit to: Whetu Paitai Lesson plan for MinecraftEDU found here Nga Motu is a valuable resource for educators who are looking to support student learning about Te Ao Māori. The world is designed to be culturally accurate and respectful, and it features a variety of activities that can be used to teach students about Māori culture and values. One of the most important aspects of Te Ao Māori is the relationship between people and the land. Nga Motu reflects this relationship by featuring a variety of New Zealand native plants and animals, such as kiwi, tuna, and piwakawaka. Students can learn about these animals and their importance ...

Kia ora, fellow educators! Today, let's dive into the world of Minecraft Education Edition (EDU), a fantastic game-based learning platform that I, as a Minecraft EDU Global Mentor, absolutely adore in the classroom. This tool is designed specifically for teachers and students, offering a multitude of benefits for diverse subjects like math, science, history, and the arts. Engagement: Minecraft EDU is an incredible engagement booster. It transforms learning into an interactive adventure, captivating students' attention and making subjects more intriguing. Collaboration: Collaboration thrives in the Minecraft world. Students team up to construct projects, tackle challenges, and learn from each other. Creativity: Minecraft EDU is the canvas for boundless creativity. It empowers students to bring their wildest ideas to life, from simple structures to intricate machines. Problem-solving: This platform sharpens problem-solving skills. Students must conquer puzzles and obstacles to ...

Picture sourced from: breakoutedu.com In the ever-evolving landscape of digital learning platforms, Breakout EDU emerges as a captivating tool that employs games and puzzles to immerse students in the learning process. What sets it apart is its adaptability across various subject areas, seamlessly aligning with the New Zealand Curriculum. Let's delve into the enriching educational experience that Breakout EDU offers: Fostering Critical Skills: Engaging in digital breakouts is akin to embarking on a journey of skill development. Students not only gain subject-specific knowledge but also enhance essential life skills, including: * Problem-solving: In the quest to "breakout" of the game, students must put on their thinking caps, employing critical and creative thinking to decipher puzzles and clues. * Effective Communication: Collaboration is the key to success in Breakout EDU. Students must communicate ideas effectively, sharing insights and solutions to overcome challenges...

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 ...

  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...

Hello to all you amazing educators out there! 👋 If you're all about making the most of technology in your teaching journey, Google Docs is like your superhero sidekick. It's not just for tech whizzes – it's a tool that every teacher can use to bring some digital magic into their classrooms. Let's dive into three Google Docs features for busy teachers: 1. Teamwork Made Easy: Real-time Collaboration Picture this: Your students are working together on a group project, each with their own ideas and typing speeds. Instead of chaos, you can have harmony with Google Docs. Start a new document, click the "Share" button at the top right, and invite your students to join in. Everyone can type, edit, and brainstorm in real-time, all in one doc. It's like having a digital whiteboard that never gets cluttered. And don't worry about losing work – Google Docs saves everything automatically. So when your students are busy creating, you can step in to guide and suppor...