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...

  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 ...

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...

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 ...

  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: What kinds of attitudes and competencies does the Principal of Newlands Intermediate state are important in students?  What kinds of attitudes and competencies does the Principal of Newlands Intermediate state are important in teachers?  Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below:

  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...