Bitmoji is just one of those things I have to use in the classroom! I love incorporating Bitmoji into my class resources, on the wall or in things I am presenting! It is free, easy to use and just lots of fun!

There is many ways you can use Bitmoji in the classroom or in your resources - with lots of templates, resources and pre-made examples you can go off. I have many free resources that you can use as templates in your classroom - ones I have personally used in my classroom on a daily basis. Check out these two of my favourites!

Each fortnight I release a digital newsletter with specific tips, ideas and links to read on the go! Nothing too long and wordy. But short snippets with things you can implement in the classroom tomorrow! This is free to subscribe to, and gets emailed to your inbox every fortnight. 

Check here for past editions of the newsletter or subscribe via the button below!!

Have you heard about the changes to our curriculum in New Zealand? If you were not aware, major yet fantastic changes were made to our curriculum that involved the technology curriculum area. These included the introduction of progress outcomes 'computational thinking for digital technologies' and 'designing and developing digital outcomes'. It is expected that by 2020, all schools in New Zealand are to be teaching the content whether it be stand alone, or integrated. 

Of course, integration across all other curriculum areas is best to ensure meaningful integration and learning opportunities. But the reality of this can be easier said than done. Especially with the other 100 things we need to do in the classroom every day! If you haven't yet heard about these changes, or checked the new changes made follow the link here. 

Explained simply:
Computational thinking for digital technologies is all about students being able to express problems and formulate solutions in ways that means a computer can be used to solve them. Algorithmic thinking skills are important in this section. 
Designing and developing digital outcomes is about students becoming experts in using different technologies to create digital content for the web, interactive digital platforms and print. Also understanding how and who systems are made for; becoming confident manipulators of data and its outcome. 

I have posted a few times about the digital technologies in the classroom so check out my past blog posts on my website by typing in 'digital technologies' into the search bar to bring these up. I am also working on a long term plan that unpacks the progress outcomes for teachers looking for ideas on how they can implement these into their classrooms. Stay tuned for that!

View lots more ideas about digital technologies from Kia Takatū ā-Matihiko below too. 

I created my templates on powerpoint with a fancy font and colour. The fonts I brought were off teachers pay teachers that I uploaded onto my computer to be able to use. You then save your text and background as an image, and upload it onto google keep as an 'add image'. It will then save it to the top of your note. 

There are lots of other great ideas floating around the internet but I hope this helps unpack it easily on how you can make it pretty yourself. 

This week I am sharing my teacher tech videos page - the new addition to my website. This is a place where educators, teachers, individuals and even students can go to for quick help tips around digital devices. 

The videos are sectioned into three sections currently: google related videos, seesaw related videos and then anything else technology based. The videos are filmed using screencastify or quicktime player screen recorder and are short videos talking through simple steps or ideas. The youtube links are also there if you would rather view them on Youtube. 

Click on the link here to check it out!

I rearranged my desktop recently to make it all colour coded in order with a background of the things I am working on and doing. Something different than your usual macbook or laptop pre-created background. And the icons add to make it seem organised and in check. 

Check out this quick video I uploaded to youtube last year on how to make fancy looking icons like mine to add some excitement, interest and difference to your desktop! Easy to create and use!

You can make a copy of my daily check in google form here! So easy to use with any year level students; and a great way to introduce digital technologies into your classroom practice in a fun and easy way! I created the simple above poster for students to scan when they first come in the morning! Way easier than typing out a url each day!

Seesaw already has some great getting started guidelines that take teachers and students through a series of lessons to unpack each tool when beginning with Seesaw. Find the guides here. 
I took those guides, and created some task cards that can align with those so students can learn about the Seesaw tools, follow specific instructions when using the tools to become confident users of Seesaw. 

These task cards are free to download and use for your students. There are seven in total, that work through using the main tools when starting out: taking a photo, video, creating a drawing, writing note and writing a comment. 

​Download it from my teachers pay teachers store link here, or download the pdf below. Check out my other Seesaw task cards also. 

So here it is! My new pdf ebook (soon to come to itunes for download) sharing 8 engaging ways to use technology in the classroom. And by 8, it is WAY more than 8! This pdf ebook is jam packed with ideas that cover 8 topics that can have technology integrated within it effectively. 

The areas that are covered in this ebook are:
-share the learning
-gather feedback or student voice
-gamify learning
-get creative
-interact with learning
-collaboration
-project based learning
-be our guest

Within each chapter, it unpacks what it means and then shares some apps, ideas and activities that can be used to show this area in the classroom. 

This pdf ebook is FREE to download so get it now!!!! 

I always love using technology in engaging ways throughout all my lessons. One great app that integrates devices in a collaborative yet exciting way is Kahoot!

Kahoot is a hands on, engaging and interactive app/website that provides game based quizzes for students to play. The teacher (or student) sets up the game and students join using a pin. They can play in individual mode or team mode. Students can choose a nickname or team name and are ready to play!