Today’s theme for the DFI was empowerment, the future of tech and computational thinking.

The Manaiakalani perspective on empowerment is about enabling students to be digital creators rather than passive consumers of technology.  I feel that starts with their digital fluency and teachers’ digital fluency.  As teachers we need to be able to navigate a range of online applications and decide which platform is right for accelerating students’ engagement and achievement.

Initially students will be guided by their teachers for which apps to use and for what purpose.  However, as students’ understanding and confidence develops with technology they will be able to discern for themselves which application would be most appropriate for any scenario.  The NZ Curriculum (2007) states, a digitally fluent person can decide when and why to use specific digital technologies to achieve a specific task or solve problems. A digitally capable person can create their own digital technologies solution.  This is what we continue to work towards.

Teachers’ competency with digital fluency is crucial in today’s learning environments.   This focus is central to the professional development of the Manaiakalani Digital Fluency Intensive course and aligns with the Manaiakalani Programme goals of engagement, personalised learning, accelerated achievement, and empowerment.