DT With Mrs B

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, 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...

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...

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement and innovation, the traditional approach to education is evolving. Teachers increasingly recognise the importance of equipping students with skills beyond rote memorisation and standardised tests. One such essential skill is computational thinking, a problem-solving approach that involves breaking down complex problems into smaller, manageable steps and using algorithms to solve them. This foundational concept of computer science is not limited to the tech world; it permeates various fields, including business, engineering, and medicine.  In New Zealand, the incorporation of computational thinking into the digital technologies curriculum is a significant step towards preparing students for success in the 21st-century workforce. In this blog post, we explore why teaching computational thinking is crucial and provide practical tips for educators. Bridging the Gap Between Education and the Workforce In today's dynamic job market, su...

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...

  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: Questions: How do students showcase their learning with a digital technologies focus, in this video?  What does "naturally integrating digital into your teaching" look like? What tools are at your disposal, to give your students an opportunity to showcase their learning in their 'Units of Inquiry', with a digital thread? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below:

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:  Education Gazette - Tukutuku Korero Questions: What does it mean by students being creators as opposed to users? Are we doing this in our current programmes? What are the soft skills that are mentioned in the clip?   In what ways do we support our students with growing these skills? Is there one thing I could change to support student growth in these areas? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below:

As educators, it is essential to provide students with innovative tools and opportunities to foster their creativity and critical thinking skills. One such tool that has been proven to be highly effective in the realm of Digital and Visual Communication (DVC) is MaKey MaKey. This post will explore the definition of MaKey MaKey, its benefits in the classroom, and how a recent lesson on this tool allowed students to reflect on the functionality of their creations for end-users. MaKey MaKey is an invention kit that allows students to turn everyday objects into touchpads and combine them with the internet. It is a small, user-friendly circuit board with alligator clips that can be connected to various conductive materials, such as fruits, vegetables, aluminium foil, or graphite pencil drawings. By connecting these materials to the MaKey MaKey board, students can create interactive projects, turning their imaginations into reality. Interdisciplinary Learning: MaKey MaKey bridges the gap bet...

As a digital technologies teacher, I'm always looking for ways to use technology to enhance student learning. One of the things I've been doing lately is having my students create Google Sites to collate their learning in my subject area. Each student's site includes an image and about the creator, as well as photos, film, and screenshots from their eight sessions in my class. This gives students a central location to store all of their work, and it also makes it easy for them to share their learning with others. I recently had "student led conferences" where parents came in and students talked through their learning. Thanks to the collection of learning activities in the Google Sites, the process was streamlined. Students were able to use their sites to explain their learning to their parents, and play the videos that they created. I was really impressed with how well the Google Sites worked for student led conferences. It was a great way for students to showcase...

The Hour of Code is a global movement that aims to get more students learning about computer science. It provides a fun and engaging way to introduce students to the basics of coding, and it can be used to supplement the New Zealand Digital Technologies curriculum. The New Zealand Digital Technologies curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including computational thinking, programming, digital systems, and information and communication technology. Hour of Code activities can be used to teach many of these topics. For example, there are activities that teach students how to code simple games, create animations, and design websites. In addition to teaching specific topics, Hour of Code can also help students develop the skills they need to be successful in the digital age. These skills include problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking. Hour of Code activities can help students develop these skills by giving them the opportunity to solve problems, create new things, and think ...