Lockdown

Kia ora koutou!


This covid19 lockdown has been a challenging time for everyone both personally and professionally.  The pressure to create and provide online learning during this period  has caused many anxious moments and some uncertainty.  Thankfully, teachers in Tairawhiti (myself included) and all over Aotearoa have had a team of Manaiakalani experts to guide us through this foggy period and they've provided outstanding professional support in order for those of us who are new to online learning to produce, develop and enhance our online learning capacity and sites for our students.

During the initial stages of covid19, I was very grateful to have collaborated  with other professionals within the first two weeks of the lockdown in online training courses provided by Manaiakalani.  I experienced a heightened sense of unity amongst my fellow professionals.  The benefits of these courses became evident as I worked on my class site using the new tools I had learnt, samples of work viewed from other professional teaching sites that gave me the opportunity to reflect upon how and what online learning would look like for my students and how I could create a site that was relevant and effective.

So my journey began, I had to get my site up and running as quickly as possible.    I faced a few challenges and frustrations along the way,  but I continued driven by the support of colleagues and the need to up skill as quickly as possible.  When thoughts of throwing my computer against the wall came and went, I perservered so that I could get my site looking awesome just like the Point England teachers in Auckland!   Like that kid who always sits behind you and keeps poking you in the back and never stops!  I kept my resolve as I knew I would be meeting my Manaiakalani support person and she would  make me complete the work before the next meeting anyway!  Covid19 has taught me one thing,  that I am resilient! and........ that I am very competitive and want my class site to be as flash as the teachers at Wainui school!!......I'm only kidding!j

This period has challenged me to think differently, to integrate digitally, to utilise and apply online & digital learning tools more effectively within the Manaiakalani framework.   In retrospect, I am very thankful for this time and the opportunity to really work on  and develop my capabilities, understanding and knowledge of digital learning in order to support my students and whanau during this period. 

I had to share my thoughts as I know many of us teachers who are new to online learning, would have had a huge learning curve just like me.  I attribute my growth to the support and collaboration of like minded professionals, my school and my Manaiakalani mentor who continues to impart their knowledge and expertise so that I can produce this type of learning for my class.  This experience has made me aware of what I know and what I need to learn in order to prepare my students for their future.  So with that in mind, I look forward to continuing to learn, grow and develop my skills through DFI and Manaiakalani with a new found sense of confidence, clarity and calm. 

I look forward to more learning, my journey is not over yet.....