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(AC4.1 and 4.2 - DDL) and AC3.2GB73CY029 & 4.1  AC3.3GB73CY032 AC3.2
What?

This week has been particularly busy! I had my 2nd classroom observation.  This time it was a CDB (computers don't bite) class.  I had planned everything well and all the learners were their usual engaged selves.  However, we were using the new tablets and I had failed to try them out first.  I had assumed that they would work/transfer the same way as the old ones - I was wrong!

So what?
The new tablets were particularly sensitive and temperamental when trying to transfer the photos that the learners had taken. This led to some anxiety among them (and me)as we tried to work it out. Several of them needed to be re-plugged into the PCs and it took forever! We eventually got there and the learners could see their pictures. We repeated the process after the break and it went far more smoothly.  It was entirely my fault for not trying them out first.

Now what?
I will ensue that I check, use and practice every device that I am planning to use before the session.  I also need to practice every possible task on them to ensure that there is nothing that can go wrong during sessions.  The learners did enjoy using the tablets and could see how easy it was (eventually) to use them for photos and to transfer them.

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What?
I have been so busy that I have neglected my blog over the last few weeks.  Teaching 10 classes per week has been rather hectic, but very enjoyable.
The digital literacy classes are progressing very well. In the last few weeks we have used the tablets for audio recording, QR code reading (finally worked), internet searching and recording and downloading videos.

So what?
The learners' skills are progressing and it is a pleasure to watch them developing.  I have some concerns over one learner whose English, I feel, is holding her back.  She is also undertaking a communication class, so hopefully this will improve. She takes considerably longer than the others and it is not because she is unable to do the work, but because she takes longer to read.  I am hoping this will be overcome by pairing her up with Janet (who is her friend).
On a separate note, the learners loved using the tablets for a variety of purposes and are genuinely excited every time we use them.

Now what?
I will continue to use tablets for as much as possible. I am also planning to use them for more varied activities such as quizzes and collaborative activities.

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(AC4.1 and 4.2- DDL) and AC3.2 Reflect
GB73CY029  - AC3.3

GB73CY032 AC3.2

What?
This week has been very busy indeed. It's enrolment week and the very first time I have taught literacy - I absolutely loved it. The new classes completed the enrolment paperwork and then created a gmail account to use in the class.

So what?
I was pleasantly surprised by the skills that the digital literacy learners already had.  Some had attended last year and others were new to the class. We created gmail accounts using the SMART board and step by step instruction and they all had created their own accounts by the end of the session.  This tool and this technique has worked well in the past and is particularly good for delivering digital literacy.  We also went through sending, receiving and replying to emails. The learners all sent, received and replied to emails by the end of the session.

Now what?

I am going to try out Kahoot and google docs over the next few weeks as we progress through the Digital Responsibility unit. I have been practising using both and have already set up both for use in the class.  We will also be further using gmail to communicate inside and outside the classroom.

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(AC4.1 and 4.2 - DDL) and AC3.2
GB73CY029  - AC3.3
AC3.2GB73CY029 & 4.1
GB73CY032 AC3.2
What?
The last 2 weeks have been absolutely manic! WEST testing is in full swing and there's little else getting completed except that. I did, however, have an observed session with Diane and my Thursday am group. I felt the seesion went well, was well planned and my delivery was good.  There were some issues with the technology which will be discussed below.

So what?
The tablets, despite having been tested last week, would not log on to the internet and needed the code.  I had prepared for this but it still took longer than I would have liked. The new tablets have arrived and I am confident that these will meet the needs of the learners and of myself. Then, Socrative would not load on the tablets so we had to move to the PCs. Pcs worked well as the learners are familiar with this technology. They are also familiar with the SMART board and this has always worked very well.  It aids delivery and is a useful tool for showing multimedia.  There was also no QR code reader on the tablets for the Padlet posts. All of this said, the tools that I used did meet the learning objectives and, once we had logged in, the learners found them easy to use and I was happy with the outcome. The techniques worked well, particularly the collaboration, as the group work well together anyway.

Now what?
I will ensure that I double check everything before each session.  I thought I had been so thorough, but obviously not thorough enough.  I will never let that happen again.  The content of the session and the learners' responses were excellent (so the delivery and content are good).  I just need to work on the tools and technologies. The technology issue will be resolved with the new tablets and everything has been installed with this in mind.

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(AC4.1 and 4.2 - DDL) and AC3.2 Reflect
GB73CY029  - AC3.3
AC3.2GB73CY029 & 4.1
GB73CY032 AC3.2

What?
This week each class did an exercise where they would identify the icons on the tablet front screen and find out, in pairs what each icon (or app) actually does (its function).

So what?

Pairing learners up for the task worked really well.  All my classes have good relationships with each other and get on very well (thank goodness). This task enabled learners to find out for themselves what each icon did and they really enjoyed it.  They wrote down, in their own words, what each function was.  This technique enables learners to remember it, rather than me give them all the technical terms (which I do, but I find they remember best in their own terms). I will sue this technique again with the new tablets when they arrive.

Now what?

Next week, now that the learners are more familiar with tablets, we will use these to search for answers for the end of term quiz. I am hoping that their new found familiarity with the tablets will  make the searching easier for them.  The aim of all of this, is to introduce the tablets to complete a task that they are already familiar with; thereby not learning two new things at once.

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What?
I have had a break from assignments and teaching for the last few weeks, but it hasn't stopped me thinking about digital literacy. On a recent visit to museums in  London and Oxford I was struck by just how many people use mobiles and tablets, and the variety of ways they use them in that environment.
So what?

I was thinking about the expense of such trips and technology. This made me think about the financial inclusion aspect of the course and what a very large barrier it is to some of my learners.
Now what?
I can't do anything to help my learners financially (obviously), but I can give them as many opportunities as possible to use the technology available to me, competently and regularly. This will, hopefully, help to diminish their digital, social isolation and give them more confidence in a digital world.

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(AC4.1 and 4.2 - DDL) and AC3.2 Reflect
GB73CY029  - AC3.3
AC3.2 GB73CY029 & 4.1
GB73CY032 AC3.2

What?
This week I have been introducing new technologies in my delivery of CDB and DL. It went mostly smoothly (except using Google docs to collaborate - it wiped everyone's contributions as they were commenting). Gmail, Kahoot and Google forms were all a triumph!

So what?
I need to spend even more time practising with new technologies.  I have reflected and realised that trying out new technologies at home is OK, but it performs differently in a classroom environment in a group task.

Now what?
I will set up practice tasks and simulate a group task at home (if this is possible), or I will find a technology that suits the task better.  I am already planning to use Padlet next week and have prepared the canvas for that.

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(AC4.1 - DDL) and AC3.2 Reflect
What?
Today marks the end of term.  I undertook a WEST assessment with one of my learners today.  It was a good learning experience for me as to how it works.  It was also interesting to observe the learner getting to grips with using a computer, and completing the test.
So what?
It made me think how hard it must be for those who are not digitally literate to complete such tasks.  Many of my literacy learners are not, and they will be asked to complete this test in September.
Now what?
I need to ensure that I am prepared and ready to help to overcome their digital barriers. I need to ensure that I make their experience as easy and supported as possible by getting learners, who are not digitally literate, onto the computers at the start of term so that they feel more comfortable when they complete the test.

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What?
The end of term is fast approaching and this week has been really busy. I have been working hard on assignments for the course. I have realised that I need to slow down and think harder about the content of my work.
So what?
I need to think harder and take my time about completing assignments.  I am rushing and I think this is leading to mistakes.
Now what?
From now on, I will endeavour to take my time and really think about the work I am completing.

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(AC4.1 and 4.2- DDL) and AC3.2 Reflect
GB73CY029  - AC3.3
AC3.2GB73CY029 & 4.1
GB73CY032 AC3.2

What?

This week the learners continued to work on their family trees using www.familysearch.org.   Once again, every CDB class ( 3 of them) were engaged with the process and their skills are progessing. We have had some issues with the spelling of names, but this is down to when the information was inputted onto the system rather than learner error.

So What?

This resulted in a discussion about the reliability of information online and was very productive. I'm a big believer in discussing issues as they occur rather the 'scheduling' them in. This made the learners feel better about the frustrations they were experiencing (rather than thinking it was their fault) and they gained and understanding of the issues of reliability and, of course, human error when inputting information.

Now what?
I'd like the learners to start using the tablets for searches rather than using the desktop PCs.  This is because I want them to improve their tablet skills in general as they are most likely to come into contact with tablet type devices outside of the classroom. It will also get them familiar with using tablets, the feel of them, touch sensitivity and the different layouts of the screen.

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What?
I am just about to start working on the new Digital Literacy Practitioner's certificate and I'm rather nervous about it.
So what?
It looks like a lot of work and I'm not sure if I will be able to cope with it all. I had the assessment today and it was quite nerve racking completing it (silly I know).  I was very relieved to pass.
Now what?
I'm going to spend the next few weeks getting my head around the course criteria and submitting work as often as I can.

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What?
I have started completing assignments and submitting them.
So what?
I thought I knew all there is to know about the digital world but I was wrong: very wrong.  I do feel out of my depth at times, but I'm being patient and learning as I go along. I've re-discovered Prezi and all it's complexities.  I'm not sure I'll be using this much. I find it very hard to edit text and not very user friendly. I have discovered emaze which I have used a lot.  This is much easier to use and offers the same level of professional looking content as Prezi. (AC4.1 - DDL)

Now what?
I'm going to spend the weekend researching other applications that I can use and learning how to use them.
(AC4.1 - DDL)

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What?
I have found the work very interesting this week.  The issue of learner diversity, inclusion and tutor values made me think about my own teaching.
So what?
I feel I am very diverse and inclusive but there's more that I can do.  Particularly, being careful about the resources I am using and how inclusive my learners are.  In the last week I have started to use more digital tools and resources with my Computers don't Bite learners.  We went to the local park, photographed the scenery with tablets and then downloaded them to the computers in class.  Then, the learners created collages using Publisher.  This worked very well and they could really see the benefits of using tablets for photos.  They were all surprised at the clarity and quality of the photographs and were thrilled with the results. (AC 3.3 - ULTTT)
Now what?
I will conduct the same exercise with my other CDB classes to see how different groups react.  This will allow me to iron out any issues for the future.

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(AC4.1 and 4.2- DDL) and AC3.2 Reflect
GB73CY029  - AC3.3
AC3.2GB73CY029 & 4.1
GB73CY032 AC3.2
What?
I have spent most of this week researching/reading for assignments.  I have been unwell and so had a lot of time, while led in bed, to read and type up work.
So what?
I completed so much work that it gave me headache.  I did, however, learn how to use different applications such as Visme.  I'm not very keen on this and abandoned my work.  It's very hard to edit things and correct mistakes.
Now what?  I need to spend more time getting familiar with new applications before I try and use them. It's pointless to try and produce work when I am not familiar with the technology.  I will take this into my teaching practice and ensure that I am always on top of the technology before I try and use it in class. (AC4.1 - DDL)

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What?

I have been on holiday in Menorca this week and have not done a thing!

So what?
Nothing to report.

What?

Will reflect more next week when back in work.

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(AC4.1 and 4.2 - DDL) and AC3.2 Reflect
GB73CY029  - AC3.3
GB73CY032 AC3.2

What?
This week, learners were introduced to family history research online. We used www.familysearch.org
to find out information about their own families.  It was quite tricky at first and we will need several weeks to perfect the searching technique.  It was a great way to introduce free software, that produces information that was hitherto chargeable and the learners were very engaged.

So what? Making learning authentic and relevant to each group of learners really enhanced their engagement.  It also allowed them to use and improve their digital skills. Their search techniques improved as they realised they needed to be more specific.

Now what?
My aim is to ensure that sessions, tasks, tools and techniques are relevant for the learners on a group by group and individual learner basis at all times.  Learners learn faster and are more engaged when they are interested in the topic and this makes it easier to learn to use the technology and tools to access the information.