DFI Session Five- The Hypothetical Hub on sites.

During Gerhard's presentation about the Kaupapa of Share I learnt about the decision process which sat behind this. Using a a digital platform eventuated because Manaiakalani noticed that students wanted to share online through social media- so it made sense to allow them to share their learning online and provide an authentic audience
I never considered the types of audience we present to; Gerhard broke these down into two types of audiences.
Compulsory audience- one another,  assemblies, classmates, showing work to whānau. 
Authentic audience- choose to listen to what we have to share, can be anywhere in the world with internet access.

Manaiakalani choose Blogger carefully to ensure it was worthwhile and user friendly. Blogger allows external visitors to encourage learners rather than their work being placed in a book box under the desk just to me only viewed by the teacher or perhaps some other classmates.

We delved deeper into the world of sites today, even being given the opportunity to refine a site we already had. One problem with that... I don't have a site to refine. Jos was in the same boat so it looked like we were starting a fresh! So the Hypothetical Hub was born and we started to plan and form what was going to be a class website for a Hypothetical Hub that may form at Awapuni School. 

We explored complimentary colours and even choose a colour scheme for our new Hypothetical Hub thanks to Color palettes.

The process is underway and there is a fair journey ahead for the Hypothetical Hub yet but it has been great being able to put our learning into action. 

DFI Session Three- Serious about sites

Today I was excited to be able to create a website that I would be able to use in my classroom. I used this time to create a website that I could use with my class around our current integrated study topic, Kia manawanui which includes exploring Māori Myths and Legends. 

When making my first Google Site, I tried to stick to a basic layout that allowed me to use multiple elements within the new Google sites. First job, pick a theme- a very important part to the whole process of course! I found navigating Google sites quite easy, everything is user friendly and meant when experimenting with making a site I was able to explore a lot of aspects through the side navigation bar. I first started with using pictures as a card. Which is shown below. Each card takes you through to a different story that relates to the legend Rangi and Papa.

Mission completed- now to see if I can extend what I already have. Skimming through the slides I was able to see a slide about creating buttons in google drawings. Although it took me awhile I was able edit my website and turn the cards into circular buttons. Personally for my learners I feel like having a round button is a visual representation of being a button rather than just a pretty sure on the screen. Below is the cards transformed into circular buttons.

I am leaving today with a lot of new learning as well as some more learning to follow up at home. Including looking at the highly recommended Sir Ken Robinson TED talk.  I am also hoping to extend my google site to include other Māori Myths and Legends. I have a feeling I will be heading home and continuing to explore all that is Google sites.