Digital Learning

Digital competence is an essential skill for 21st Century learners. Digital technologies are an integral part of learning at Halswell School with opportunities woven throughout our curriculum where appropriate. As well as learning how to use digital technologies, digital citizenship is also a vital skill that is taught across the school.

Our E-Learning vision statement is:

At Halswell School we purposefully integrate digital tools so our learners are engaged, future ready and independent. We equip learners with the necessary skills to explore how digital technologies work. They design and create their own digital solutions, collaborate with their peers, and connect with wider communities.”

Here are some photos of Halswell learners demonstrating their ACTIVE characteristics through E-Learning opportunities and the use of digital technologies.

Here you will find resources / ideas / links to Digital Learning in our school.

Students are encouraged to be Digital Citizens.  Here is a poster that has been developed with ideas from students from Years 5 – 8.

eLearning at Halswell School

Skills developed across all year levels:

• Care and respect for devices
• Login to their account independently
• Understand what Digital Citizenship is and be able to give multiple examples of each aspect
• Confidently navigate all of the studio devices/tools, and teach others
• Keyboard/typing skills
• Use digital terminology/vocabulary confidently and appropriately
• Work collaboratively with others to problem solve
• Use effective research skills e.g. note-taking, sourcing relevant websites, summarising

Ahurihi / Huritini	Orongomai	Otawhito	Otumatua
With support …  at this level, the learning focus is around authentic exposure to these concepts and participating in teacher led activities.	With some independence …  at this level, the learning focus is continuing to develop understandings they have already been exposed to and showing increasing independence.	With independence … at this level, the learning focus is on students making decisions for a specific, authentic purpose and implementing prior learning with independence.	With independence and confidence … at this level, the learning focus is on fine tuning current skills, creating original outcomes for meaningful purposes and selecting appropriate tools/applications to demonstrate their understandings.
NZ Curriculum Outcomes
DDDO: Designing and Developing Digital Outcomes   Create a simple digital outcome i.e. poster, book creator, video. Take photos Record voice Record videos Identify digital devices in their everyday lives Understand that digital systems and applications are created by people Have some understanding of the role digital devices play in our everyday lives Understand that digital devices store content which can be retrieved later	DDDO: Designing and Developing Digital Outcomes   Create a digital outcome i.e. poster, book creator, video. Take clear photos Record voice clearly Record videos Identify digital devices in their everyday lives and explain what makes them digital Understand that digital systems and applications are made by humans for a purpose Identify and recognise the relationship between inputs and outputs	DDDO: Designing and Developing Digital Outcomes   Begin to understand what a ‘brief’ is and why they are important Create basic algorithms (codes) and digital outcomes Take clear photos and videos Record voice clearly Compare and contrast digital and non digital devices	DDDO: Designing and Developing Digital Outcomes   Follow a detailed design brief Manipulate, store, retrieve, share and test digital content for a purpose Understand that digital devices impact on humans and society, which changes over time Identify specific role of components in a simple input – process – output system and how they work together Recognise the ‘control’ role humans have in a system Select an appropriate application/tool to develop outcomes
CT: Computational Thinking   Begin to follow, write and test simple step-by-step instructions (algorithms) Begin to identify errors (bugs) and correct them Begin learning how to break down tasks into step-by-step instructions	CT: Computational Thinking   Follow, write and test simple step-by-step instructions (algorithms) Identify ‘bugs’ and correct them Break down tasks into step-by-step instructions	CT: Computational Thinking   Follow, write and test step-by-step instructions (algorithms) Identify ‘bugs’ and correct them Break down tasks into step-by-step instructions Create simple programs involving outputs and sequencing	CT: Computational Thinking   Break problems into step-by-step instructions Create algorithms for computer programs Use logical thinking to predict the behaviour of programs Develop and debug simple programs that use inputs, outputs, sequences and repetition Understand digital devices store data using two states represented by binary digits
Common Apps/Tools used in teams (this is not an exhaustive list)
Bee bots Book Creator Pic Collage Lexia Matific Garage Band iMovie Scratch Junior Letter Land Kodable Draw and Tell	Matific Puppet Pals Show me Lexia Bee Bots Class Blog Storyline Online Bug Club Explain Everything	Maths Buddy Lexia Google Docs / Google Slides / Google Suite Hapara Voice to text Beebots Scratch Junior iMovie Show me Kiwikids news Story Online Mentimeter Seesaw Hour of Code Literacy Shed	Hapara Google docs / Google Slides / Google suite Robotics Scratch 3D design Garage Band Student dashboard Mathletics Imovie Green Screen QR codes Literacy Shed Padlet Kahoot Pobble Lexia Logo designer Pikochart Woodlands maths IXL Kahn Academy

Information for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Students in Years 5 to 8 can  “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) to complement / support their learning. Please note that this is completely voluntary and Halswell School will continue to supply devices (Chromebooks and iPads) at the current ratio.

Using a device can support student learning by:

• Learning how to learn (metacognition)
• Increased engagement/positive attitudes to learning
• Concentration on, and completion of tasks
• Taking learning outside the classroom
• Developing social skills – discussion, co-operation, task completion, inclusion, sensitivity to difference and diversity, building effective relationships
• Articulating opinions on and about their learning
• Improving basic skills of literacy and numeracy leading to improved products of learning such as written reports, visual or oral presentations

We recommend the purchase of Chromebooks as the most effective for our BYOD programme. If you are going to buy an alternative product we recommend that it includes the features below;

Specifications for Student Devices:

• Wireless networking capability (We are using the Ministry of Education’s approved ‘Linewize’ to filter our internet content).
• An on screen or external keyboard or other means of entering text.
• Screen size greater than 7 inches.
• A minimum of 4 hours of use from one battery charge (Halswell School can only provide limited charging facilities – using your own charger).
• The ability to run a full functioning, current web browser (e.g. Chrome) that will allow access to Google Apps and other learning resources.
• An updated virus protection program (for computers running a Windows or Macintosh computer operating system).

You may also wish to consider these features:

• An audio-out port with earbuds or headphones.
• A camera that takes both still photos and video (front and rear cameras are very versatile).
• A microphone.

The BYOD Registration Process

1. Please read the BYOD  BYOD Memorandum of Understanding, sign it, and return it to the office.
2. Once the documentation has been checked, you will be notified of when your child is able to bring their device to school.  Please remember that you may need to inform your insurance company of this.
3. Your child will receive individual instructions on connecting to the internet.  

Memorandum of Understanding