Designing with Tinkercad

Liam and Kobe are Year 9 studenst at Greymouth High, part of our Toki Pounamu cluster on the West Coast.  During term 4 Liam and Kobe have been learning about Robotics.  On their individual blogs Liam and Kobe have written quality blogposts sharing what they have been doing as part of their Robotics learning.  Liam and Kobe explain the learning that they needed to do, the processes they went through and reflections on their learning.  Both Liam and Kobe have used Screencastify to share their Tikercad projects where they has created a Mars Lander as part of their learning process.    Great blogposts to unpack Learn, Create, Share as part of the Digital Technologies|Hangaru Matihiko curriculum.   You can also see by watching their Screencastify videos the various curriculum links that Tinkercad crosses over.  Some incredible maths learning happening as well as problem solving, design and innovative thinking and persistence.

The World is our Taonga

Meesha and Pyper are in a Year 5-8 class at St Patricks School in Greymouth, part of our Toki Pounamu cluster.  As part of their inquiry they have been looking at Human Impact and one activity they have been working on is - The World in our Taonga.  Learners were asked to create a digital learning object to share what they would personally do to help look after our world.  Meesha and Pyper have created an interactive slideshow that has been shared on their class blog where you can see the instructions they were given and try out their interactive quiz.  In their quiz they share their planning process, the aim of the game and the how to of the game before you begin to play.  A blogpost well worth sharing with teachers/learners as they explore creative ways of sharing their learning. 

Inspired by Banksy - Quinn's Art

Quinn is a Year 8 student at Matawai School in Gisborne, part of our Tairāwhiti cluster.  Quinn has written a quality blogpost sharing his art inquiry on Banksy.  In his blogspost Quinn has explained why he was inspired by Banksy, the process he used to create his masterpiece and a reflection on his work.  You will notice by reading the comments on this blogpost, Quinn has also responded to questions of his readers and written quality replies to comments connecting him to his readers.  This example would be perfect to use as part of the Manaiaklani Cybersmart Curriculum for both Smart Relationships - replying to a comment and Smart Footprint - writing a quality blogpost.  Check out Quinn's blogpost and his art on this individual blog.

Creative Learners using Google Drawing

Google Drawing is often under-utilised within the Google Apps for Education site of tools. It an incredible tool for creating and I have been impressed with the work of learners from across our clusters as I explore their blogs. In our recent Manaiakalani Online Toolkits (Term 4 2018), two of our Facilitators offered presentations in Google Drawing.  Both Vicki and Kelsey shared examples of Google Drawings created by student in their presentations.

How to Draw Like a Pro - Vicki Archer ( Te Reanga Ipurangi Ōtaki Cluster)
The Go Getter's Guide to Google Drawing - Kelsey Morgan (Uru Mānuka)

These students blogposts could be used to inspire your learners as to ways they can be creative and share their learning and talent in different ways using Google Drawing.

Riley @ Gisborne Intermediate - Creative About Me

Tenille @ Gisborne Intermediate  - Collaborative Art Project

Jaimie @ St Bernadettes School - Learning how to Trace a Dog

Nikita @ St Bernadettes School - Telling a Story with Animation using Google Drawings

Samuel @ Ōtaki School - Blog Profile Picture

Riley @ Gisborne Intermediate - Creating a Cybersmart Character

Kelsey has also created 12 step by step 'how to' videos which can be accessed through her presentation (slide 7).  The recordings of both of these toolkits can also be accessed at the bottom of the Online Toolkits site.

Sphero the Robot

Manukau are a class of Year 5 and 6 learners at Waikowhai School, part of the Ako Hiko cluster in Auckland.  They are lucky enough to have Sphero Robots at school and are working hard on coding challenges.  The blogpost on their class blog shares the challenge they were trying to achieve with Sphero and video clips of their groups working together collaboratively to solve the problems.  This is a great example of integrating the new Digital Technologies|Hangarau Matihiko curriculum into a learning environment. 

Credit +Matt Riceman

The Story of Hineahuone - Using Comic Strips

Ofa and Fraidoon are Year 7/8 learners at Panmure Bridge School, part of the Manaiakalani cluster in Auckland.  They have been learning about the human body and as part of this inquiry have created a storyboard about the story of Hineahuone - the first women created (based on Māori beliefs).  They have used a comic style storyboard to retell their story in a creative way.  Head over to their class blog to read more about it and leave them a comment. 

The Unfinished Drink - Presenting Learning with Google Slides

Jack and Sanujan are Year 7/8 students at Panmure Bridge School, part of the Manaiakalani cluster in Auckland.  They have been reading the poem written for Private Ted and have created a series of Google slides sharing their story through animation.  This is a great example of a quality blogpost where not only have they added their DLO, they have added a great post telling the reader exactly what their learning was about and a reflection of their learning process.  Head over to their class blog to check it out and leave them a comment.

Creating and Learning with Sphero

Liam is a Year 7 student at Awahono School on the West Coast of the South Island.  Their class has been exploring robots, in particular Sphero.  Liam has shared, through video clips,  his experience of creating a car and a maze for Sphero.  He has also used K'nex to make a Chariot.  Head over to his individual blog to check out the videos - Liam would appreciate your comments.

Magic School Bikes

Te Maunga are Year 1 and 2 students at Ohaeawai School, part of the Kaikohekohe cluster in Tai Tokerau.  Te Maunga have been very creative with utilising their school bikes as part of a movie to  share their learning around their inquiry topic - Up, Up and Away.  On their class blogpost you can read about their learning process and watch their exciting video clip.  A great example of green screening and movie making to share learning in a different way. 

Credit +Kariene Gardner

Our Native Birds - Learn, Create, Share with the Mannequin Challenge

Pohatu Class are Year 4 to 6 learners at Hay Park School, part of the Ako Hiko cluster in Auckland.  The tamariki have been learning about our New Zealand native birds and have decided to share their learning in a unique way.  The Mannequin Challenge has been a popular phenomenon of late and they have used this concept to share their fun facts about our New Zealand native birds.  It's great to read in their blogpost that they have sought permission for the music they have used to back their movie and credited the musician Alex Smith.   Check out their movie on their class blog.  A great inspiration for teachers and learners wanting to explore new ways of being creative in sharing their learning.

Credit - +Christina Fortes 

The Power of Student Voice - Sharing Important Messages

The Year 5/6 learners at Papakura Central School have been working in small groups to put together their creative and powerful messages to stop verbal bullying.  They have collated what they have done in their groups and come up with a whole class collaboration.  Incredible messages and great team work Room 7 learners.   Head on over to their class blog and be inspired by their work.  A great blogpost to share with other learners and inspire them to share their important messages in powerful ways.

Link to Class Blog

Credit +Marissa Paniora, Jordan and the students of Room 7

Rapping the School Values @ Kawakawa

The year 6, 7 and 8 students in Room 6 at Kawakawa School have been unpacking their school values - Respect, Responsibility and Resilience.  They have chosen different ways to share their thinking around the school values.  A group of boys have decided to share their thinking through composing and delivering a rap in true rap style!  This is a great example of Learn, Create, Share around an authentic context that meets the differing learning style of students.  The opportunity for choice and creativity has shown motivation and engagement.  Head on over to their class blog to give them some feedback.

Credit  +Jess Baker

Te Karere o Tautoro

The incredibly talented and created Year 6, 7 and 8 students of Tautoro School have put together a news item in Te Reo Māori.  They have shared the story of their Tupuna, Maui and how he fished up the North Island of New Zealand in a very creative way using a variety of techniques.  Check out their news item - Te Karere o Tautoro and make sure you leave them a positive, thoughtful, helpful comment.  I am impressed that they have used Te Reo Māori but have given english subtitles as well. A lot of work across a huge variety of curriculum areas within this activity.

Te Karere o Tautoro

Credit +Tracey Simeon

Caring for the Environment

Year 5 and 6 Waitemata learners at Waikowhai School have combined inquiry, drama and technology to create and share their inquiry around the environment.  They have explored using green screening for the first time and have come up with a very creative and engaging video clip which is shared on their class blog.  A great example of Learn, Create, Share across curriculum areas.

Credit +Steve Ross - Waikowhai School

Winter and Summer Solstice

Year 7 and 8 students at Panmure Bridge School have been learning about the Winter and Summer Solstice.  They have created animations using Google Slides to share their learning.  This is a great example to show learners how they can use their smart searching skills to create a reference slide at the end of their slideshow that shows the websites that they have collated their information from. There are two examples shared on their class blog.

Winter and Summer Solstice by Sanujan and Joshua

Winter and Summer Solstice by Ofa and Jeremiah - these boys have used their creative thinking by using the Lions and All Blacks Supporters gear for their characters.

+Robyn Anderson

Creating Paper Planes

The Year 1 and 2 students at Ohaeawai School  have been learning all sorts about air pressure.  They have built paper planes to experiment with what happens to it using pressure from different air forces. They have used YouTube video tutorials to follow instructions on how to create a paper plane.  A small group of learners have put together their own video explaining how to make a basic paper plane.  A great example of rewindable learning.  Check out their video on their class blog.  You will read that they have also written step by step instructions as well, meeting the differing needs of different people - some who prefer to follow written instructions, some who prefer a video tutorial.

Credit - +Sarah Jane Stevenson

Matariki Learn, Create, Share at Blaketown School

Year 6, 7 and 8 students in Room 2 at Blaketown School have been learning about Matariki.  Students have chosen a variety of ways to create their digital learning objects to share their learning around Matariki.  From their class blog you can check out the links and see examples of Stupeflix and Powtoon as well as Google Slides.  This blogpost shows different ways creating as well as different ways that teachers can share links to student learning.

Stupeflix for Education 

Credit +Christine Smith

Matariki Stories

Room 2- Year six and seven students from Edmund Hillary School spent the final parts of Term Two learning about Matariki and associated myths, stories and legends. Learners focused on their language use and retelling techniques, alongside the visual impact of storytelling in a digital format.

Some students recorded audio in the background to help build the story and have a greater impact on the reader's senses. Students used other digital stories online to help them in their design and construction of learning. Below are some screenshots of the images used to retell the stories. Head over to the class blog to view their short films and to leave your positive, helpful and thoughtful comments.

Credit - Sue @ Edmund Hillary

Never forget the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Year seven and eight students at Panmure Bridge school have been exploring the impact of landfills and what happens to rubbish when we don't Reduce, Reuse or Recycle. This example from Mia, Zahra, Nazella and Fifita is designed to make you think about what happens inside our landfills... They chose to  share their learning by creating a short movie with a powerful message designed to stimulate thinking and engage the reader/viewer. Feel free to drop into the Digital Footsteps blog directly and leave a comment.

Credit - +Robyn Anderson
Check out Robyn's Professional Learning Blog

The Story of Power and Energy

Pyper is a Year 5 student at St Patricks School in Greymouth.  Pyper has been learning about power and energy in science this term and has created a digital learning object to share her understanding of power and engery.  Pyper has used Google Slides to put together her animation in a creative way and then added her story using Screencastify.  Check out Pyper's creation on her individual blog.

Pyper's Blog

Meesha, another St Patricks student, has also created a video using Google Slides and Screencastify to share her learning around Solar Energy.  Another incredibly create example from a learner.  Check it out here.