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 ...

Let's chat about Applied Digital Skills , a sweet program by Google. It's all about arming students with the digital skills they need to shine in school, work, and life. The cool part? It's aligned with New Zealand's Digital Technologies curriculum, and it's here to lend a hand to our Kiwi teachers. Applied Digital Skills has got your back, with a bunch of resources to support you in implementing the New Zealand Digital Technologies curriculum. Here's what's in the toolkit: * Lesson plans: You'll find a variety of lesson plans that match up with the New Zealand Digital Technologies curriculum. These plans are a breeze to follow, complete with step-by-step instructions, along with resources for both students and teachers. * Digital tools: It's in cahoots with Google's digital tools like Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive. That means you can easily integrate these digital tools into your lessons, giving your students hands-on experience. * Professiona...

  Kia ora! In today's post, we'll unveil the versatility and practicality of Google Lens, a tool that has the potential to reshape the learning landscape for both educators and students. What is Google Lens? Google Lens is a remarkable visual recognition application that harnesses the power of your smartphone's camera to identify objects, text, and landmarks. This technology has the potential to revolutionise the classroom experience by providing instant access to information, fostering curiosity, and promoting interactive learning. Features for the Classroom Google Lens offers a plethora of features that can be leveraged to enhance teaching and learning in a variety of ways: Text Translation: Google Lens can seamlessly translate text from one language to another in real time, offering students a dynamic way to explore languages and broaden their horizons. Plant and Animal Identification: In science classes, Google Lens can act as a botanical and zoological guide, facil...

Emojis can add a creative and interactive dimension to your Google Classroom topics. In this post, I'll guide you through the process of using emojis within topics and explain why it's a valuable addition. Why Use Emojis in Google Classroom Topics? 1. Visual Organisation: Emojis can be used as topic icons to make your Google Classroom more visually organised and attractive. They help students quickly identify different subjects or modules. 2. Engagement: Emojis can make topics more appealing. They add an element of fun and can pique interest in the subject matter. 3. Personalisation: Emojis allow you to infuse a bit of your personality into your virtual classroom. You can choose emojis that reflect your teaching style or the topic's content. How to Add Emojis to Google Classroom Topics 1. Access Classwork: Start by navigating to the "Classwork" tab in your Google Classroom. 2. Create a Topic: Click the "+" button to create a new topic. This is where you...

 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...

  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 ...