MK Toolkit Session

In this Toolkit session I learnt how to use Mote within a Google Form not only for hearing the questions but to leave a response. I love Mote and use it all the time, especially in the multi model slides I create for reading. It's supportive for all but a real gem for the many tamariki that have a learning barrier. It allows the student to hear the instructions or the questions as many times as they like and they can record their thinking without getting caught up in the mechanics of writing. essentially removing barriers for their learning and empowering student agency. I was super excited to learn more ways I can use this extension. 

 Cheryl's session was so informative with little tips and tricks to improve the use of Mote and the many different ways you can use it. I enjoyed learning how you can view the responses from your Google Forms in Google Sheets and how you can track who has seen it and responded in your Mote activity & engagement folder.  

 

I am looking forward to using Mote in a Google form in our curriculum program. I  have started creating a bank of self assessments for the tamariki to do at the end of our Natural Disaster inquiry. I think it will be great to change it up a bit as we tend to use our trusted and known Google extensions and apps

. Mote is so user friendly and fast. If you haven't tried it... you must. It's great. 

MK Toolkits Session

 

Exploring and levelling up is always fun and the Toolkit sessions with the Manaiakalani Team provide just that. In this toolkit session I refreshed my memory of how to use Gamefroot (we used the Mihi Maker with our tamariki in 2020). It was like being a beginner again, I created my character but it stood stationary doing all the things I had asked it to do but not move. I had forgotten to build in the code the instruction to move, walk, run, anything!  I enjoyed learning all the new tips and tricks from Herman. I think it's fantastic that the tamariki can build their own characters, upload photos for backgrounds or even insert a picture of your own pet. I liked the idea to create your own story or a story from your region. 

Some of the key messages, tips and tricks I recorded were;

• The platform is larger than other coding websites e.g Scratch. This larger canvas allows the creator to create layers & levels within the game.

• When creating your own characters you may need to resize the 'hit box' to allow for the character to move correctly within the game. e.g not fall through floors.

• Once students are confident with coding, look at collaboration and divide the parts of the story up between them. E.g, images, storyline, movement etc.

• For beginners and when refreshing it is always good to start with the tutorials!

• When teaching in the classroom build in checkpoints like taking a screenshot of the code they created that day and posting to their Blog with next steps. Another good tip was to set time limits to prevent students spending all there time on character building... making them look groovy! 

Reminder to myself... Keep an eye out for the changes in Gamefroot as they are working on it being able to embed directly into the Blog. This will  allow students to play it within the blog and leave a comment.

Now I had better finish my game!