Describing the problem

During our CoL meeting today, we were asked to not try to come up with an answer for our inquiry yet but to try and focus in on what the problem is. We were also asked to not think too widely as the problem becomes unmanageable. We need to be more specific with a particular problem that is happening with our students so that we have the possibility of doing some thing positive to solve it.

While I was listening today and thinking about my inquiry the word INERTIA came into my head.

I felt that this really summed up my problem. When I am working with a student or a small group, I am the force that is acting on them and they get along really well.

As soon as I move away from them to help some one else, that force is removed and they stop moving forward.

My inquiry problem ...

• How can I keep the inertia of moving forward going on without me being there as the applied force. 
• How can I make the path smoother so that a movement that has started can keep going.
• How can the movement start if I am not there to apply the force in the first place? (eg, in a lock down)

Verbal Instructions with Mote

After reading the blog post from Robyn Anderson about how she is trying out a Chrome extension called Mote, I thought that this would be a great tool to use as part of my ongoing inquiry. Mu inquiry is based around making my class site a more supportive user experience for the students and this extension will be great for adding short recorded voice explanations. It is great that you can only record a minute and a half as it means you cant ramble on for too long and you have to think about making it short and to the point.

So far, I have had a go at the presentation I have put together for my next cooking session with my Year 9 group. I have recorded myself reading out the ingredients and the method.

I also like that when you embed this presentation into the class site, the links are a single click to hear the audio. Link to where it is on my class site.

This is going to be really useful in terms of literacy as the students can listen to what new Technology terms sound like and can listen to them as often as they need.

Another idea that I have had is to have buttons to different language versions down the side of items of text, instructions etc to help those class members who would benefit from this information in their own language, spoken by a fluent speaker. This will mean me working closely with other members of staff as I did last year when we translated key texts for them. Blog post 1 Blog post 2

Robotics - Learning to fix the mBots

 My Friday morning robotics class are now in Year 8. I had them in the third Technology rotation last year when they were in Year 7, so I know they are super keen robot coders.

This year, I want them to be able to debug their own problems a lot more so the first step today was to understand how the mBots were put together. The most common physical problems come from loose nuts and bolts on the motors, loose wheels or the connections in the wrong places. 

Each student had an mBot and a screw driver tool and we set to taking them apart. I explained how each part was carefully removed and they worked until the robot body was empty and all the pieces were separated on the table. The challenge was to then put it all back together and test it with a simple algorithm to check it can move froward, turn left, move backwards and turn right.

They were surprised when I refused to help them or give any tips on putting the mBot pieces back together and they weren't allowed to sneak a peak at the assembled on at the front of the room. They were allowed to help each other though and there was a lot of that happening. 

There was a LOT of quiet concentration. That only broke really in the second half of the lesson when frustrated noises were starting as the nuts holding the motors in place are really small and fiddly. 

Then they had to load up the coding for the test run and make sure they had put it together correctly.

It was a very successful exercise today and I have high hopes of them now being able to fix their own physical problems with the mBots this year as we work through our coding tasks. There was only 4 mBots at the end that were not quite put together again (job for me!)

Workflow - Feedback from students

As part of my inquiry this year, I am wanting to use my class site as a total support system for my students working through their projects.

In order to help me to move forwards with this, I have asked my Y11 and Y12 students to give me feedback about their workflow at the moment across all of their lessons.

Things of notes from the results

1. Students like quite a varied way of receiving their work
2. They like a website / workspace to be well ordered and visually appealing
3. They like a mix of verbal and written instructions, with examples to look at and refer to
4. They appreciate having instructions and examples rewindable so they can look back at them

Here is the form that I have sent to them.

Here are their responses (so far, as of date of typing this). 

I have made a copy of the actual form response sheet so I can change and remove any reference to particular teachers, subjects or he/she. 

Across all of your classes, which is the way you find your work most often?	Of the choices listed in Question 1, which do you prefer. Why do you prefer these methods?	What is the best way to make work clear to you?	Can you please explain why you chose the answers in Question 2.	Of all of the teachers websites / class sites that you work from, which ones do you find the easiest to follow, find your work, understand your work. Please also explain why you chose these ones and what it is about them that makes you choose them.
Shared directly from the teacher	The first	Verbal instructions	It is easier for me to understand	XXXX The Colours
Shared directly from the teacher	Gmail because its much easier to fund the work	Verbal instructions, Having it demonstrated in front of you	Because it makes more sense and more understanding	Not sure
Shared directly from the teacher, From workspace, Printed out and photocopied, Written on the board	because there all the most easy ways for me to do work	Worked examples, Written instructions, Having it demonstrated in front of you	because there ways that work best for me	idk
Shared directly from the teacher, Printed out and photocopied	I prefer these methods because it is easy for my to do the work	Worked examples	So it can be easy for me to understand the work	XXXX
Shared directly from the teacher, Written on the board	Because it's much easier for me.	Worked examples, Written instructions	Much easier for me	XXXX because XX sets out the work on XX website all organized.
Shared directly from the teacher, From workspace, Printed out and photocopied, Written on the board	There easy and faster for me to work with	Worked examples, Written instructions, Having it demonstrated in front of you, Being able to ask questions one to one with the teacher, Doing you own research to work it out	Because it works for me and it's more efficient
Shared directly from the teacher	yes is more helpful and i like discuss something with my teacher.	Worked examples	This is because it will make me realize what is the actual work is .	I usually like discussing with my teacher about a event and i got more information from that teacher than doing it online .
Shared directly from the teacher, From the teachers class site, From workspace	Shared directly from the teacher	Worked examples, Verbal instructions, Having it demonstrated in front of you	Those are the easiest ways for me	Having it demonstrated in front of me is the easiest way because it easier when the teacher explains then we go on about our day
Shared directly from the teacher, From workspace	on the work space (this is because I know that it will always be there)	Having it demonstrated in front of you, Being able to ask questions one to one with the teacher	Im a visual learner, but sometimes i need clarification from the teacher too.	every site is difficult in different ways. some sites are easy because they clearly show where everything is. and some sites are confusing because of the many numbers and other things.
Shared directly from the teacher	easy access	Worked examples, Having it demonstrated in front of you	Easy instructions	XXXX, instructions are easy to understand
From the teachers class site	written on the board. because when it written at the board the teacher explain clear	Worked examples, Having it demonstrated in front of you, Being able to ask questions one to one with the teacher, Doing you own research to work it out	understand better when we ask question if we don't understand and follow by the introduction.	find your work and understand your work. because we have to find the work so you can work on it and understand the work
Shared directly from the teacher, From workspace	workspace, its easy to access, when i start a task, it shows i have started it, and when i am done i am able to submit it to get it checked, its a much more simple process	Worked examples, Written instructions, Verbal instructions, Having it demonstrated in front of you, Being able to ask questions with the whole class	I find it more comfortable and more easier to understand.	Its hard to say as i find both XXXX and XXXX website easy to follow,find and understand. XXXX also make examples which help me understand further. XXXX examples gives me the basic idea and understanding as to what i have to and need to do. XXXX website/workspace is easy to follow, we have our work spaced out in catergories and XXXX gives us daily reminders on our class calendar if we are stuck. we can also ask XXXX and XXXX when we are stuck aswell
From the teachers class site	Because it’s easier and saves time	Worked examples, Having it demonstrated in front of you	Easier and faster	XXXX because it’s always updated and it isn’t confusing compared to the other subjects.
Shared directly from the teacher	One not sure why i prefer it maybe just used to it	Written instructions	So if i forget i can go nack and read what to do	XXXX i think one of the only ones that use it
Shared directly from the teacher, From workspace, Printed out and photocopied, Written on the board	Shared directly from the teacher because I tend to open the email straight away and not leave it until later to open it.	Worked examples, A screen cast video with a rewindable instruction to watch, Having it demonstrated in front of you, Being able to ask questions one to one with the teacher	Worked examples gives me a clear understanding as to what is expected to be done. A screen cast videos allows me to rewind back anytime. Having it demonstrated in front of me gives me a better understanding. Asking questions to the teacher helps me to know that I am right on track.	Gmail and workspace. I can easily access emails from the teacher and on workspace, it has a combination of help videos uploaded and you can access it whenever.
From workspace	Because its easier to find access.	Worked examples, Verbal instructions, Having it demonstrated in front of you	Because it makes way faster and easier.	Hapara workspace
From the teachers class site	Its easy	Verbal instructions	Its easier when someone explains it	XXXX
Shared directly from the teacher	easierto get access	Worked examples	easierto look at one that is already done so i can get some ideas of what to do to my own	not to sure

CORE Education - Mentoring PD - Session 2

 

Inquiry Question 2 - Inquiry Focus

 From what you know already about your classes and your school’s profile and leadership goals for the year, share a possible inquiry focus.

My inquiry is based on accelerating student achievement through differentiated, multi-modal learning via the subject website.

I have been thinking about how to combine all that I have learned through previous inquiries, in CoL, Class onAir and Innovative Teacher 2014 and 2015

Historically, what has been happening in my class is that I do a lot of one to one work with students and while that is happening, there is a lot of nothing going on with the rest of the class. They lack confidence to continue on their own so drift off to doing not a lot.

My style of teaching is whole class demonstrating then on to one to one help where it is needed. 

The make up of my senior classes is always mixed. Mixed NCEA level, mixed experience in the subject (NCEA Level 2 and Level 3 students who haven't done it before) and mixed ability within all of that.

My thoughts were around creating an environment with my class site that will support the students to continue with their work in a self motivating way. They need to be able to get on with the work without the teacher being there next to them the whole time. This will be good both in the class and if they have to work from home ( for example, during any lock down experience again).

I want the site to make the students feel they have the confidence to know what they have to do, how to do it and where to go to get help. 

Initial Plan

Ways that I am thinking at the moment that I could use ...

• A layout that is easy to understand and follow
• Examples made so they can see what they are aiming for
• Step by steps either in screen shot form or screen cast video form
• Everything in one place so they know where to go for whatever they need
• Links sent through from calendar invites so this becomes the normal place to find the day to day instructions - this also lets them see what has been done in previous lessons
• Structure and templates available for written analysis based on literacy and SOLO research over the past few years
• Allowing group work to happen during some tasks to build confidence
• Developing a positive mindset

Goals

This addresses the school goals in this blog post here in the section where I was talking to the Deputy Principal

1) Maori achievement

2) numeracy and literacy

3) student well being

4) teacher wellbeing.

Inquiry Question 1 - Inquiry Focus

 Brainstorming student inquiry foci - Collaborate with your school’s leadership team and colleagues to identify areas where your inquiry will make a powerful contribution to wider school and cluster goals.

My Initial thoughts

My general idea is to use what I have learned from previous inquiries, class on air and innovative teacher and combine them with my class site in a way that can support students in a much more comprehensive way than it does at the moment. 

At them moment in my class, I spend a lot of time helping students one to one as their projects are very different and so they need individual help. While this is happening, the rest of the class are not necessarily doing what they should be doing and staying on task. This has an overall effect on how much work is completed and how long everything takes.

I have instructions and examples on my class site, but I feel it is not substantial enough to fully support students to work through tasks in a more independent way in the class and this became extremely apparent during last year and into this year and the lock downs we have gone through.

Collaborating

I have spoken to 3 members of Middle Management and Senior Management about my initial inquiry thoughts.

Below is an outline of what they said as i was explaining what I thought my inquiry could be this year.

HOD Technology

• Differentiated Learning - pace, depth, multi modal
• Enabling student centred learning
• Pedagogical - allowing students to achieve, accelerating student achievement through differentiated learning.
• The depth comes through from those students who are hitting the higher levels. Achievement is accelerated both within a level and over different levels.
• It is very teacher dependent at the moment which means that if the teacher is not there, the work stops.

Deputy Principal

• The school goals are based around : 1) Maori achievement,  2) numeracy and literacy, 3) student well being, 4) teacher wellbeing.
• Are you identifying Māori students in the classes - is there things in the website that link to them? Partnership, participation, protection
• Partnership - are the students working in partnership with you or each other during the project work?
• Participation - How are they able to participate with the work and how can they put themselves in it ?
• Protection - how is their identity as Māori able to come through in how they are doing the work?
• Literacy has been built in from the previous work done that you have done.
• The work is accessible at school and at home. Multi faceted work which is a bonus. Having the support available at all times without the teacher. They always know where to get help.
• A resource to build on once it has been set up. It can be improved as time goes on but there is peace of mind that the work is all there. Work can easily be set for a reliever if the teacher is not there or if we go back into another lock down.

Executive Dean

• Meeting the learning styles of all students - visual, kinaesthetic, listening.
• Developing on prior knowledge skills and consolidating new learning.
• Non threatening learning style - can approach it how they like.

After having these talks I am able to state what my inquiry will be in a more concise way.

My inquiry is based on accelerating student achievement through differentiated, multi-modal learning via the subject website.

Lock down video help for NCEA classes

 Last year, while we were on lockdown, I trialled making screencast videos for my seniors to explain step by step how to complete tasks. Link to blog post

I know that the students used these videos as I load them as unlisted on YouTube so the video viewing stats are from where i have shared it.

As part of my inquiry this year, I am planning on seeing how effective using rewindable videos are in my mixed level / mixed ability senior classes.

Thanks to two lock downs before March, this has been forced a little earlier than the initial plan.

Examples are here of what I have put together so far for my Y11 and Y12 students. In both classes I have a mix of students who have done graphics and some who haven't. These links go to my class website.

Year 11 Design Elements

Year 11 Types of Seating

Year 12 Image Collection Research

Year 12 Design Elements

Year 12 Timeline

Year 12 Compare and Contrast

Considering that we are in the middle of the second lockdown this year already, the class spreadsheets are not looking too bad. (I have screenshot them without the names for privacy)

Intermediate Technology - With No Contact

 We have gone onto a week long Level 3 lock down in Auckland this week. Last week was the first time we saw our Intermediate classes for technology this year and now we won't see them this week. When we were on lockdown last year, our Intermediate classes got all of their links to our class sites and work from a central hub site so it was easy for the Intermediate teachers to send to the students at home. 

For this week, we will not be seeing them on an online meet so our work needs to be easy to access and understand with no input from the technology teacher. Their class teacher will be giving the students the hub site link to access at home and out work needs to go straight from there.

I have decided to give them work that we would be doing anyway in the project, just not yet if things were normal. We are designing and making models of pop up books in Graphics and one of the things the students need to do is think about different themes for their book. This is an easy task to do online on a Google Drawing and the students all know how to use them. I have included a short help video, just to go over the task in a screen cast and to show them a quick tip to get images with transparent backgrounds.

Link to page on class site