During our recent DFI session, we explored how to effectively use collaborative sites as a tool for sharing learning and resources. The focus was on creating engaging and interactive content by embedding videos, adding written text, and incorporating audio into our personal sites. This helped us understand how different media can enhance communication and make learning more accessible and dynamic.

We also had the opportunity to design and build our own individual sites. This process allowed us to apply what we learned in a practical way, organising our ideas and presenting them in a structured format. An important part of the session was linking our newly created sites to our blogs, ensuring that our work is easily accessible and connected within our wider digital portfolio.

In addition, we contributed to a collaborative document where we shared useful resources. This highlighted the importance of teamwork and collective knowledge-building, as everyone added valuable materials that can support ongoing learning.

I have developed my skills using Google tools like Sheets, Forms, My Maps, and translation features, which has strengthened my understanding of the Manaiakalani kaupapa especially the importance of sharing learning with an audience.

This learning has improved my confidence and workflow as a teacher, particularly in organizing data, creating visuals like charts, and gathering student voice efficiently. For my Year 3 learners, these tools will make learning more engaging, visual and interactive. They will be able to create, share, and better understand information, while also building their digital skills.

Tools like My Maps and translation features will support inclusion and curiosity, helping all learners feel connected and involved. Overall, this experience has helped me become more confident and better equipped to support my students in meaningful, future-focused ways, while also improving my own organization and everyday use of digital tools.

Day 3 of the DFI course focused on media and how I can use digital tools such as Google Drawings and Google Slides to enhance my teaching. I created slides and designed visual content, which reminded me of the importance of being creative in the digital space so that my students can also develop creativity and critical thinking skills. The session was guided by one of the quotes from John Dewey: “Give the pupils something to do, not something to learn; and the doing is of such a nature as to demand thinking, learning naturally results.” This reinforced for me that when I design meaningful, hands-on tasks, deeper learning happens naturally.

Today I really levelled up my digital knowledge by diving into Google Keep, Google Calendar, Google Meet, and tab management. I’m moving past the basics like using Keep’s text recognition to digitise my notes and attaching relevant docs directly to my calendar invites to create a system that actually works for me. I also learned how to use Google Meet, especially how it integrates with the rest of my tools, it’s so much more efficient to launch a meeting directly from a calendar event or use the side panel to take Keep notes while I’m on a call without switching windows. By mastering tab groups and pinning to keep my essential meeting links and docs visible. One of my challenges was embedding videos to my blog something i think i need more practising with.

Today was dedicated to mastering digital organisation to create a smoother classroom experience. I focused on colour-coding my Google Drive folders, a simple change that will save precious class time by allowing me to locate resources instantly during lessons. I also mastered sharing permissions in Google Docs to ensure that student collaboration is seamless and free from the frustration of “access denied” errors. Finally, I used tables to design a visual “Class Expectations” document, which breaks down information clearly to help reduce anxiety for my new learners. Ultimately, these digital improvements are about more than just tidiness; they are about establishing a calm, organised foundation where my students feel safe and ready to engage.