Curriculum Connections: Unleashing Authentic Learning with Digital Technology

  Kia ora tātou. Ahoy, fellow digital explorers! As I sit here reviewing and wrapping up my final teaching term of 2023, it’s time to cast an eye over the digital landscapes we’ve conquered together, reflect on the learnings and set our course for 2024.  This year has been another exhilarating journey filled with opportunities to empower and support educators on their digital fluency quest. I’ve been privileged to collaborate with some amazing educators on projects that transformed classrooms into innovation hubs, as well as make many new connections with some truly digital leaders in tech. I am full of gratitude! In Term 4, the spotlight shone on supporting teachers with Book Creator, a tool that not only elevated literacy programs but also became the canvas for my regular students' technological escapades (I’ll share more on that further down). The level of enthusiasm from teachers to enhance their literacy program was out of this world, with many follow ups ending in the en...

Kia ora tātou! Welcome back to curriculum connections and the next instalment of my digital learning journey. Term 3 has brought a diverse landscape of digital fluency projects, and a whirlwind of innovation and creativity using some of my favourite platforms and digital mediums. From acrostic name poetry, to engineering and programming solutions for the New Zealand Junior Robocop 2023 competition, ākonga have dived into a vast array of projects, pushing the boundaries of their digital capabilities. Strap yourself in, this term was BIG! Published Poets with Book Creator In the world of words, my ākonga became artists crafting poetry that not only expressed their identities but also embraced digital publishing through the dynamic platform of Book Creator. With each letter of their names, they created a beautiful and unique acrostic name poem full of emotion, aspiration and entertainment for their readers. The classroom buzzed with creativity as ākonga transformed letters into eye-catchi...