Workshops

Digital Citizenship Curriculum (DCC)

So what is the rational behind rolling out a DCC?

Young kids embrace technology every day without examining the consequence of their actions. Students are using technology without being supervised, out of lesson and after school. Therefore, there is a need to teach them digital citizenship.

Today, with digitalisation, employers judge prospective students or employees for their social media profile. So, it is important to teach students how to create online personas that project positive and constructive image.

Cyber-bullying is another reason for teaching digital citizenship. We can only prevent cyber-bullying by educating students about digital citizenship. Lack of awareness about digital citizenship can lead to cyber-bullying which has grave consequences at times.

Information Search and Analysis is an important aspect of Digital Citizenship. There are lots of resources available over the Internet and not all are authentic. Digital citizenship teaches students how to look out, select, and streamline information and how to choose a real and authentic source of information.

Yesterday I delivered the DCC to the secondary grade level coordinators and homeroom teachers.Teachers were given Digital resources as well as hard copies of the curriculum. You may find these resources by clicking on the link below.

Digital Curriculum Folder

The folder contains the following resources for each grade;

• Lesson plan 
• Lesson resource (media file)
• Student resource 
• Lesson in action

During the session teachers went through the lesson plans and discussed with their teams about how they would deliver the lessons. They also had the opportunity to see an example of the lesson in action to gauge a better understanding of the lesson objectives and outcomes as well as familiarize themselves with the resources.

The curriculum will be rolled out in the coming homeroom periods.

We are using resources from the website "Common Sense Media", for further information and resources please click on the link below.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

I would recommend this site to parents too, as it deals with a lot of parent concerns and has a section dedicated to it. 

Workshop

A highly thought provoking and inspirational video from Eric Sheninger, who I had the pleasure of meeting at the Digital Education Show Dubai 7-9th December.

He talks about the current setting of schools in that they are structured and based on conformity, a highly sterilized environment where kids are not able to be creative or allowed to follow their passions.  He mentions creating, 'Maker Spaces', an environment where students are encouraged to think outside of the box and learn what they want to learn through trial and error.

Maker Space is home to the following examples.
Students;

• use 3-D printer to create a phone case. The special printer allows students to create models of just about anything and then makes that model a reality.You can change the color, you have blue, black, white, red, green. Basically comes out a phone case in an hour or two.

•  create video game controllers out of fruit.

• at the school are allowed to visit the Makerspace anytime they want.

• build their own computer  - a student said she loves to take computers apart at the “Take Apart Station.”

• are able to explain for themselves, “This is a motherboard, everything connects to this. This is a CPU, it does calculations for the computer. This is heat sync, which cools off the CPU,”.

Examples of students working on their projects in Maker Spaces

Workshop

Are you a UAE-based educator excited about ICT, networking, cyber defense and programming? If so, Bon Education invites you to apply for the Winter 2014 Cyber Quest Training and Facilitation opportunities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Ajman and Fujeirah. Applications for Educators and Camp Directors are open until Monday, December 1, 2014.

Program Details... Selected Educators will receive training on the use of Raspberry Pi to teach skills such as programming in Linux, networking and more. They will also learn pedagogical skills for promoting hands-on ICT inquiry, teamwork and leadership skills in the classroom. Applications are also invited for Camp Directors. In addition to receiving training, directors will be given a leadership role and tasked with overseeing the running of each camp location from a logistical, tactical and pedagogical standpoint. Participants who successfully complete the training will help facilitate or direct a two-week cyber camp (Cyber Quest) for middle and high school students in one of five locations (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Ajman or Fujeirah). Participants will receive a certificate of participation and to cover expenses associated with participating in the program a stipend of 7500 AED will be provided Teacher Training dates and times:  Dec 21, 22, 23, 2014 : 09:00 - 15:30 (Location: Dubai) Dec 24, 2014 : 09 - 13:00 (Location: Dubai) Cyber Quest Program:  Dec 27-31 2014 (Locations: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Ajman or Fujeirah) Applications due December 1 To apply, please send the following 4 things to fatmah@boneducation.com: 1) Your CV 2) Answers to these questions:  * Why would you like to participate in this opportunity? * What do you hope to learn? * What experience do you have using technology in the classroom? * What programming experience do you have? * Which location(s) do you prefer to teach in? (Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Ajman, or Fujeirah?) * Are you available for all Teacher Training and Program dates? Note: Teacher Training for all participants in all camp locations will be in Dubai 3) Two references (Name, Title, Email address only. No letters required.) 4) If you are applying for a Director position, please detail any relevant leadership experience. Application deadline: Monday, December 1, 2014 with preference given to early applications. Select applicants will be invited for interviews in Dubai on December 7 and 8. Please only apply if you can make ALL dates above. Teachers from public and private schools and universities in the UAE are welcome to apply.

Workshop

Upcoming PD Opportunity!

Click on the link below to find out more about the EdTech Google Education Summit taking place over two days in January (30th - 31st) 2015

http://om.gafesummit.com/

Please note! if you are interested in attending the normal Request for PD forms must be completed and handed to your line manager.