Professional Learning
If your keen to learn more about STEAM or Integrated Curriculum then you will find a range of literature on these topics as well as professional development opportunities with external organisations posted in our shared calendar. Stay tuned for more details about local professional development opportunities on offer my members of our own Kaahui Ako team.
Online Professional Learning Opportunities:
The Microsoft Education Center is a resource available free to all schools in Aotearoa thanks to the 'Microsoft Software for Schools Agreement'. This online hub is a central location for teacher to up skill themselves on everything Microsoft (including all of the tools that Microsoft has to offer) as well as e-Learning, STEAM and 21st Century Pedagogy. The website includes a range of online courses and more comprehensive learning pathways that staff can complete and receive Microsoft Certifications which can be added to your CV and teacher appraisal. It also provides resources and lesson plans that are ready to download and use in your classrooms.
Important: All schools in New Zealand have access to Microsoft tools, however, your school IT administrators will have to set up access for you if they have not already done so. If your school has not yet provided you a Microsoft account, please get in touch with your IT team.
Posted by: Sam
The Google for Education Teacher Center is a resource available free to all teachers. This online hub is a central location for teacher to up skill themselves on everything Google (including all of the tools that Google has to offer) as well as e-Learning, distance learning, digital citizenship and harnessing Google tools for working with students with special learning needs. The website includes a range of online courses and learning pathways that staff can complete and receive Google Certifications which can be added to your CV and teacher appraisal. It also provides resources that can be utilised and adapted into classroom lessons and unit plans.
Posted by: Sam
Open P-TECH introduces students and educators to the technical and professional skills of the future. It is a no-cost way for students and teachers to demonstrate their knowledge and skills as they apply for employment or higher education. The programs are designed to spark and keep participant's interest on the future of technology and all course are explained at a 15 year old reading level. Teachers have access to activities and lesson plans to extend the technical and professional learning for their students. Teachers and organisations can also supplement, organise and monitor the learning experience of their students. There are several courses offered to students and teachers alike, with several focused on digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, block chain, cyber-security and data science. There are also courses offered in design thinking and professional skills. As both students and teachers complete courses there a micro-credentials gained which can be added to your CV and teacher appraisal.
Posted by: Sam
The Adobe Education Exchange is the free learning platform and community, designed by educators for educators, to ignite creativity in the classroom. The platform offers short courses for teachers including topics such as distance learning, design processes, digital story telling and tutorials on how to use a range of Adobe products. By completing the assignments attached to a course and marking the course as complete, you will receive a digital badge and a certificate for accredited professional learning. There are also free distance learning and class rooms resources ready for teachers to use on their website for students at primary, intermediate and secondary school levels. Simply sign up using an email address and start learning.
Posted by: Sam
Kia Takatū ā-Matihiko, the National Digital Readiness Programme, has been developed to ensure teachers and kaiako are empowered to implement the revised Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko curriculum content in the Technology Learning Areas and Hangarau Wahanga Ako.
The programme is inspired by the legend of Māui, his kuia Mahuika, and how the source of fire was discovered. Māui was curious, brave, determined and had a great desire for things to work a bit better. Mahuika was reflective, patient and insightful. These are characteristics that teachers throughout Aotearoa can use to support all of our tamariki so they can become creators and innovators of digital technologies.
This program will support you to explore two of the technology learning areas within the curricula, Computational Thinking for Digital Technologies (CT) and Designing and Developing Digital Outcomes (DDDO); or Whakaaro Rorohiko and Tangata me te Rorohiko through a range of supports. A online course has been developed that walks educators through each aspect of the digital technologies curriculum. Teachers receive acknowledgement and certification as they progress through the course.
Posted by: Sam
The Mind Lab's Digital Passport Program is open to anyone who wants to better understand the digital curriculum. The Digital Passport course may be useful to those who want to know what the children of today are learning, to keep up with the changing world, or to bring 21st Century learning skills into the workplace. It is a requirement of The Ministry of Education that all schools and kura upskill in digital technologies by 2020. In June 2017, the Ministry announced that Digital Technologies would be fully integrated into the New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa from 2018 onwards, and that The Ministry of Education requires all teachers to be able to deliver key competencies in digital technologies by 2020. The program is separated into four learning modules, all of which can be completed within a day or at your own pace. After completing each programme you will receive a certificate of completion as well as access to the learning resources used in the module.
Note: This course carries a cost of $39.95 per person (discounts to groups of 10+ and further discounts can be discussed with the team at the Mindlab).
Posted by: Sam
Using Technology Better is an organisation that offers Professional Learning for teachers in a vast array of digital technologies.
Through this course teachers will discover how you can immerse your students with the STEAM approach to learning and integrate these tools into your regular learning programmes. During this hands on and easy to implement training day you’ll play with affordable tools that allow you to understand the STEAM learning approach and how to easily integrate this into your classroom programme. Explore the world of drag and drop coding and robotics with a range of ideas for curriculum integration and see how to transition to the coding language and explore the syntax of Swift and CSS. Make Photospheres using iPads and Smartphones and engage with Design Thinking projects for collaborative learning.
Note: There are fees attached to this course.
Posted by: Sam