Week 1: Let’s Get To Know Each Other – Blogging Challenge

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Task 1: Avatars

Do you know what an avatar is? It’s simply an image that you use to represent yourself on the internet. It’s like a character that represents your online identity.

A lot of adults have a real photo as their avatar, like this:

Kathleen Morris image

It can be a better idea for children to use a cartoon representation of themselves (check with your teachers/parents if you’re not sure).

Avatar example Kathleen Morris

Here are four avatar activities to choose from. 

For students: Create your own avatar 

Students can create an avatar to use on their blog.

 There are many different avatar creation sites on the web:

  • Some tools allow you to save the avatar to your computer to then upload into your blog.
  • Others tools require you to take a screenshot of your avatar and save it as an image. Tip: This article shows how to take a screenshot on any device.
  • The Symbaloo below was compiled by Miss W (Sue Wyatt) to share links to sites where you can make an avatar. If you want to embed the Symbaloo on your own blog, click on the share icon at the bottom and copy the embed code.
  • Some of the tools listed require Flash to work. This means they won’t work on mobile devices and you might have to manually allow Flash if you’re using Chrome (instructions here).
  • Know any other avatar creation tools that aren’t on the Symbaloo? Leave a comment on this post.

Once you’ve made your avatar, you need to add it to your blog so it shows up when you comment.

To complete this task, it’s time to write a post

Now write a post about your avatar

Tell us how your avatar represents you. Include a link to the website where you created the avatar. Remember to include your avatar as an image in your post.

Alternatively, you might want to create a custom avatar for each of your family members. Include the avatars in a post and tell us a bit about each family member (remembering not to give away too many personal details).

Tip: when writing a post about your avatar, choose an interesting title not just ‘avatar’as this could cause an error on your blog.

 Examples:

  • Here is an example of a great post from Naho in Hawaii.
  • Braeden made a Lego avatar and wrote about it here.
  • Josh used a range of tools to make avatars for the members of his family.
  • Amelie-Rose made avatars for her family members.




TEACHER BIO

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TEACHER BIO

This will be my second year teaching at Oamaru Intermediate and I am so excited to be a part of the Year 7 team in Room 10. I started teaching in 2007 after completing a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning at the University of Canterbury. Prior to becoming a teacher, I completed my Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality at Otago Polytech. I have also trained as a quality controller for MAF and work for Carter Holt Havey as a logistics manager.

I began my career as a year seven/eight teacher at Kaiapoi North School and was the coordinator of our Kapa Haka. During this time I was also given the role of ICT, tutor teacher and Library coordinator. Kaiapoi North set me up for my teaching career and gave me excellent foundations, which I still incorporate into my teaching practice today.

After the dreadful Christchurch earthquakes, I felt it was time to get out of Christchurch and moved back to Central Otago where I was born with my son. I spent four years at Cromwell Primary school as a year three/four teacher and year four/five teacher. I was fortunate enough to be part of a very forward-thinking, technology-driven team who are at the forefront of professional development. I learnt so much about my own teaching practice and made progressive changes from the exposure to the ongoing professional development we received. I was honoured to be asked to coordinate our Kapa Haka and attended the Mauhiki Polyfest in Invercargill with glowing accolades from the audience. It was also during this time I embarked on post-graduate studies in Mathematics.

Since becoming a teacher I have also completed Post Graduate studies in Digital Technology. I would consider mathematics, digital technology, and cultural performance strengths of mine and I’m always on the lookout for better ways to incorporate technology into the classroom.

I’m a passionate teacher who looks to engage all my students with a primary focus on making my students feel safe in their learning environment. I believe that when my students feel safe, respected and cared about they have the ability to succeed in their learning. I look to empower growth mindsets, student agency, and visual learning that focuses on making the learning visible to the learner, as we embark on developing 21st-century learners in a world that does not yet exist.