Literacy Online Update - 30 October 2013

Kia ora tātou,

How fabulous to see the richness of conversation around collaborative writing.  Check out the thread here and please add your voice to the conversation.

You can also follow and add to the very rich discussion around e-asTTle writing here.

It really is invaluable to have the breadth and depth of educative thought freely shared on here for everyone to benefit from. What burning literacy questions do you have for the forum?  We would love to hear from you!

Here are some wonderful resources to support your programme for Tokelau Language week!

Have you caught up on the latest School Journal Teacher Support Materials?  Or the latest audio files for Junior Journal 47?

Did you catch up on the Literacy, English and ESOL community newsletter?

You are probably aware of this site, the Balanced Literacy Diet, but I have decided to a highlight a couple of recipes each week to show you the depth of snapshots in here and to encourage further exploration and discussion.  Today I am sharing Promoting the Enjoyment of Writing and Writing Wizards Portfolio Wall.

How could you use these ideas to support your learners?

I am linking the Curriculum Update from July 2012 - Literacy across the Curriculum.  I think these updates are well worth reviewing, discussing and reflecting on as a team or a staff.  What does literacy across the curriculum actually mean? And what is Critical literacy?

Critical literacy

Understanding the languages, texts, and literacy practices of each learning area is related to understanding how knowledge is constructed and used in each learning area. There is a clear link between subject- specific literacy and critical literacy. Critical literacy involves learners and information users in:

·       questioning how knowledge is constructed and used

·       investigating whether the writer has the authority to speak for a group or position or to tell particular stories

·       considering how power relationships are established and whether a text includes or excludes particular readers or perspectives

·       examining the ways in which texts can position a reader.

Following on from last week’s Small Byte series I add sharing Small Byte #4 – Padlet. “Padlet (formerly known as Wallwisher) is a unique web-based “paper” platform for creating collage-style shareable multimedia projects.”

And Small Byte #3 – Prezi.   “Prezi is an online tool for creating stunning and dynamic visual presentations. It’s one of the top online tools available for organizing, brainstorming, and sharing ideas online.”

I am including links to a selection of video clips to support your literacy journey:

The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation  Speaker: David Perrin

David Perrin, CEO of the Aboriginal Literacy Foundation, provides a background to the Foundation and outlines some of the programme elements, and successes. The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation aims to transform the lives of Indigenous children by focusing on literacy and numeracy education.

Can we replicate some of the successes shared in this clip?

ICT helping reluctant writers find a voice  Speaker: Jo Fothergill

Jo Fothergill, a 2011 CORE Education eFellow, researched how ICT could help her students find their voice and explored what 'writing' actually is. She challenges us to consider 'If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

Are we doing everything in our power to help our students find their voice?

Have a great week.

Ngā mihi nui

Anne Kenneally

Literacy Online Facilitator

CORE Education

Literacy Online Update - 23 October 2013

Kia ora tātou,

Week two of the busy fourth term is upon us already.

It was very exciting to see the interaction on the listserv last week in and around writing collaboratively.  A HUGE thank you to Tina Muller for asking the question that inspired this thread.  Collaborative writing is one of many opportunities that have the potential to be transformative.  Let’s continue sharing our successes and challenges.

As we are coping with the busyness of the term, I wonder where there is space for a specific literacy focus.  One place likely to be rich in literacy is learners’ reflections on their journey throughout the year.  It would be great to see discussion in the listserv around specific ways learners are empowered to reflect.  I know that I am now reflecting on goals I’ve set and progress made, and indeed reflecting on learning incidental too, or unrelated to goals.  Blogging is a great tool for sharing our goals and reflections. 

How are you empowering your learners to reflect?

How are you using blogging with your learners?

Check out this wonderful blogpost on student engagement “Why Do We Have to Write Today?” I copied it into Natural Reader and had it ‘read aloud’ at a workshop recently.  How could you use it with your learners?  I wonder what a class would come up with?  I would love to see ideas shared if you experiment with your learners.

Thanks so much Tessa for sharing your response and the link to the upcoming Forum: Celebrating the impact of e-Learning 2013: 1 Nov – 1 Dec

I think this blogpost is well worth checking out Small Byte #6 – Storybird.  How could you use Storybird with your learners? Or are you using it already?  Could you share your story hear to provoke, engage, inspire others.  I don’t know about you, but seeing that this post was #6 made me curious about #1 - #5…  A quick search and I uncovered great posts… I am sharing Small Byte #5 – Emaze this week also!

There is a wonderful new addition to the literacy shed!  Check out the alphabet shed!  How could you use this shed to support alphabet learning?

I am including links to a selection of video clips to support your literacy journey:

Sumithra Naidoo: Pedagogical Leadership in Literacy Sumithra Naidoo describes how she has grown in confidence in her role as a literacy leader. She says that this has been assisted by the external studies she has undertaken. She works closely with beginning teachers and those new to Finlayson Park School.

Emma Watts: Slipping literacy under the radar Emma Watts is a 2013 CORE Education eFellow. Emma believes passionately in the power of multimedia for engaging and extending student learning, especially in the area of literacy. 

Bridget Harrison, Kimi Ora Community School Improving student writing with digital stories

Have a great week.

Ngā mihi nui

Anne Kenneally

Literacy Online Facilitator

CORE Education

Literacy Online Update - 17 October 2013

Kia ora tātou,

Here we are in the first week of term four already.  I hope you have all had a restful break and are settling back into school. 

Niue Language Week runs from October 13-19 with the theme,Leveki mo e fakaaoga e Vagahau Niue – Treasure and use the Niue Language.

During the holidays I presented at a conference. 

The main messages I took away from the conference are:

·      Make learning fun and engage all learners on a journey of challenge and discovery;

·       We are in a hyperconnected era where our learners come in only knowing a connected world.  Our role will be to assist learners to solve the harder problems that they or peers can’t solve themselves.

·       Connect - share - learn - do is a cycle of learning which is lifelong!

Even if you were unable to attend the conference, you are able to connect and learn via the Twitter Thread.  There are some great links, thoughts and reflections linked from the tweets. 

In the Blended e-Learning Literacy group on the vln Mary-Anne Murphy has shared information onCritical Literacy 

Check out the latest e-Learning Round-Up 16 October 2013

NZCER is running free interactive sessions on PAT: Punctuation and Grammar across NZ early in November

http://www.nzcer.org.nz/pat-punctuation-and-grammar-info

Reading Recovery New Zealand has opened Tutor training applications for 2014.http://tiny.cc/readingrecovery or check out the website.

This blogpost could be useful to stimulate ideas for reading      

http://pernillesripp.com/2013/10/05/ideas-to-strengthen-your-readers-workshop/ 

There is a wonderful new addition to the literacy shed!  Check out the alphabet shed!  How could you use this shed to support alphabet learning?

Have a fabulous term. 

Ngā mihi nui

Anne Kenneally

Literacy Online Facilitator

CORE Education

Literacy Online Update - 23 September 2013

Kia ora tātou,

Here we are in the last week of term.  I hope you all have something special planned for the break.

Last week’s conversation and interaction have certainly proved to be thought provoking. 

Thanks to Breda Matthews for this wonderfully powerful clip!

Can I speak about my culture from the post Spoken-Word Poets Bring Words to Life for Students.

“The powerful and important thing about spoken word is, it doesn’t matter what the words look like on paper,” said Sarah Kay, a poet and the founder of a nonprofit organization that brings spoken-word poetry to schools. “It’s about what it sounds like when you say it out loud.” 

Technology enables us to really ‘hear’ our poetry. How can we use the tools available to empower our writers to hear their written works?  How can we share this with our readers/listeners? 

There are so many tools available to us that are so user friendly. 

Fotobabble allows us to capture a photo of our work and read it on.

Voicethread allows us to record onto a range of images.

Vocaroo is a quick and easy way to share voice messages.

Voki lets you add voice to your avatar.

Telegami lets you create and share an animated message.

Have you used any or got examples of powerful ways to motivate writers and share their voice?

I am posting a link to Joshua Iosefo's Inspiring Speech - Brown Brother This is an incredibly powerful clip to share with learners.  How can you use this clip to motivate your writers?

Special Education Conference Opportunity this week

The Special Education Principals’ Association of New Zealand extends an invitation to principals, teachers, therapists, specialists and SENCOs to attend the 2013 Special Education Practitioners’ Conference 26 – 27 September in Auckland.  The conference will cover use of new technologies to empower students to own their learning and will challenge your thinking, motivate you and provide you with tools and strategies for your on-going support of your students’ learning.  Click here to register and click here for more information.

Finally for today, I wonder how you are using story builder with your class… I have been having a play today and see HUGE potential for this.  Check out the little clip I made today, make one yourself and share ideas for how you could you this with your literacy learners…

Ngā mihi nui

Anne Kenneally

Literacy Online Primary Facilitator

CORE Education

Literacy Online - Update 17 September 2013

I have recently taken on the role of Literacy Online Facilitator.  This listserv is open to all teachers and educators and is a place to share ideas, request help and resources and establish professional relationships. 

I have decided to curate my weekly updates here too.  

Here is the link if you would like to sign up to the Literacy Mailing List!

Literacy Online - Update 17 September 2013

Thank you for the warm welcome to this role, one I am really looking forward to growing into. 

I am working as a Blended e-learning Facilitator this year, after twelve years teaching across the levels in schools in and around Otago.  I was very fortunate to celebrate a study leave year in 2011 thanks to TeachNZ when I completed my Master of Educational Leadership.  I also travelled around New Zealand visiting classes and schools, meeting with teachers, exploring innovative learning spaces and use of mobile devices.  I was very fortunate to return to school last year and implement a BYOD learning environment, and enable learners to design their own learning spaces.  With a particular passion for literacy I was able to experiment with and see the potential of the mobile devices for learning, collaborating, creating and sharing.  I was particularly inspired with the success of struggling literacy learners in a blended learning environment.  I look forward to sharing successes with you and hearing of successes you have celebrated with your literacy programmes online. 

Now would be a great time to order or download your copy of Ka Hikitia Accelerating Success 2013 – 2017.  The Education Gazette contains an update including Tips and Techniques for Ka Hikitia.

How might you use this?

September’s Community Newsletter is well worth a read.

You still have time to register for this week’s Live Webinar: Schools, Google Apps and the cloud.  This is on Wednesday the 18^th of September from 3.45 to 4.45pm.  If you are unable to make it and would like to follow, you can check here in a few days and also check out all the previous recordings.  Webinar recordings.

You may like to check out this TedTalk.  Doug Belshaw raises some very interesting issues about memes, remixing and shares his eight essential elements of Digital Literacies.

TEDxWarwick – Doug Belshaw – The Essential Elements of Digital Literacies

What does it mean to be literate?

What effect does re-mix have in our everyday life?

How does digital literacy affect our identity?

What does it mean that digital literacies need to be socially negotiated?

What are the essential elements of digital literacies?

Do you agree with Doug’s elements?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Ngā mihi nui

Anne Kenneally

Literacy Online Primary Facilitator

CORE Education

Lucca to San Gimignano to Sienna to Florence - Day five Italian Treasures...

Up early, bags out by 6.45 and down for breakfast then off on the bus to San Gimignano. Oh my goodness this town is AMAZING! What a truly stunning ancient city. We toured the town, visited the cathedral, took heaps of photos and shopped. I bought a gorgeous sun hat, some souvenirs and we had a gorgeous pastry and iced coffee!  

This place is so gentle and peaceful and quaint, I really do want to stay longer, but it is back on the bus and off to Sienna. Mamma Mia what another Gorgeous City! We toured the city with Aida then had two hours to explore. We walked right around the square where twice a year they hold a 90 second horse race, on the second of July and the sixteen of August.  It really is hard to believe that horses race around this uneven surface with thousands of people crammed into the centre of the square to watch. It is equally hard to believe that the rider does not have to make it to the finish line with the horse... Just the horse crossing the line determines the winner. It is also incredible to think that people rent out window space around the square and make incredible amounts of money twice a year! Another thing that is hard to believe is the the jockeys sleep with their horses for four days before the race to bond with them ready to race... 

Check out the You tube clip of the 2013 Palio de Siena

Grant and I explored the piazza and shopped our way back out to the main area.

We then travelled through the countryside for a couple of hours up and down hills and around gorges through some really tight spots, incredibly well negotiated by the amazing Flavio. 

We finally arrived at Verrazzano Castle where we had a tour of the wine cellars before wine tasting and dinner. YUMMO! Starting with the rosé we were taught how to properly taste wine Appeakling to all our senses with the smell, the swirl, the smell, the colour, the taste. The meal that followed was simply amazing, breads, garlic breads, pasta, salads, pork, beans, wines for each and every course finishing with panacotta and dessert wine! MAMMA MIA! 

Time for a bus ride back to our hotel, Mediteraneo, where Aida told us the rooms were tiny! She sure can trick us, this hotel is amazing! A sunset walk down to the ponte vecchio completed a very full day! This bridge is incredible! It is the only bridge in Florence that wasn't destroyed in the war because it was considered to be too beautiful to destroy! It is so quaint with shops lining each side and stunning views up and down the river.

Incidental learning on our travels today was the story of schooling in Italy. I was very shocked to learn that school is on 5 half and one full day. I cannot imagine going to school on Saturday as well. This is currently under review as many families are finding it impossible to find care for their children on the half days. Also hard to believe is that a half day is 8.30 to 1.30 and a full day is 8.30 to 4.30. I was also shocked to learn that the average wage is one thousand euro a month! Thy does not seem like enough as we find that things here seem quite expensive, but maybe that is because I am thinking in NZ dollars of which it takes two to make a euro! It is also hard to believe how anyone ever affords to buy a house as you have to earn at least three times per month the cost of mortgage payments!