Wednesday, 29 April 2020
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.....
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Kia ora Karla,
ReplyDeleteI have been so impressed with the way you have kept challenging yourself and never say no. Well done you! I chuckled at the part about the 'that kid who always sits behind you and keeps poking you in the back and never stops!'
As you say you are competitive and you have harnessed that competitiveness so that you are doing the best for your tamariki.
It is exciting to be a part of your journey.
Maria
Karla you have made my day! I loved reading this and had to read it aloud to the principal of Pt England school (who is in my bubble) and we both had a smile. You are amazing and do not need to compare yourself to any other teachers. You are doing a great job and your children are lucky to have someone in their corner working so hard to give them a great learning experience during lockdown.
ReplyDeleteSede you at the DFI this week!
Thank you , it's great when teachers share their sites and knowledge with everyone so that we can learn and grow. Viewing the work from many sources has been so inspiring!
DeleteHi Karla,
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this blog post and can totally empathise - I remember feeling the same way when I created my first few sites as well. Even we teachers at Pt England have been temped to throw our computers at the wall at some point!
It sounds like you are speeding through your digital journey. It's inspiring to hear how hard you are working for your tamariki.
Danni
Thanks Danni, you guys are certainly an inspiration and in all things, it takes time and lots of effort but its all worth it!
DeleteKia ora Karla,
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome reflection. It sounds like you have done an amazing job and your tamariki will no doubt have been really blessed by your efforts! How lucky we are to live in a time where we can work collaboratively, share ideas, have an insight into and be inspired by what others are doing, then make it work for our own learners.
Ngā mihi
Toni
Kia ora Karla,
ReplyDeleteI hear you and I can relate to your korero about creating a new site (I'm from Pt England). Instead of wanting to throw my laptop against the wall, I had many visits to the pantry and the fridge :) You are right in saying that we have to persevere and to keep asking for help from our go-to people and mentors. Your students are blessed to have a teacher who is driven to provide the best learning resources for them. Kia kaha, you're doing awesome.
Kia ora Sally, oh yes I forgot about the many, many trips to the fridge. Talk about blazing a trail!.' Thank you for your encouragement.
DeleteHi Karla,
ReplyDeleteI can so relate to this blog post. Every time I try to learn a new skill I have moments of wanting to give up or throw something and it is the teachers around me who inspire me to keep trying. I loved the way you refer to that feeling of having someone behind you and keeps poking you in the back and never stops! as a good thing. Sometimes we just need that support. I would love to see this site you have work so hard at, it sounds amazing. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Clarelle Carruthers (Year 3 teacher Pt England School).
Thanks Clarelle, Your learning videos and work was so inspiring. I'd love to share my site but remember I'm still working towards achievement hehehe
DeleteKia ora Karla,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your honest experience about joining the digital journey of teaching and learning online! You will definitely be more resilient and aware of the value that it holds in amongst our current lockdown lives. It just goes to show that we are all in this together and the support of Manaiakalani is also far reaching as it impacts our tamariki in ways that we are so proud of through Learn, Create, Share. I completed my DFI last year and am so grateful for the supportive team and personal learning curve I went through too.
Kia kaha,
Sonali Carter (Yr 2 teacher from PES).