Originating in the UK, Safer Internet Day has been running for over 20 years in countries worldwide. The following description is provided direct from their website: “With a slogan of “Together for a better internet”, Safer Internet Day is a call to action for every stakeholder to contribute to a safer and better internet, especially for its youngest users. The past year has shown us first-hand the importance of ensuring that the largest possible number of children and young people are adequately prepared to handle digital technologies responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively. Only then can they experience the digital world as a place… Read More
The Role of Audiobooks
On Mondays, I share a different ed tech quote on our Thompson Classroom social media pages for our staff to consider. February is upon us and schools across the country are busy with “I Love To Read” activities. With a literacy focus for the month, our Tech Tips will follow suit as we explore the many ways in which digital tools can be a part of your overall literacy toolkit. If you missed this month’s ICT Newsletter, I recommend you check back and see some examples of how our Tech Kits can support literacy development from K-12. One of these digital tools… Read More
February ICT Newsletter
With the start of a new month comes a new monthly ICT newsletter. These newsletters are designed to serve as an outreach to all MVSD staff and provide: general ICT updates (software changes, divisional ICT timelines, tech-themed holidays) upcoming PD for the month tech tips divisional highlights These newsletters are sent out to staff via our divisional email but are also shared through our social media pages and divisional website. February 2024 ICT Newsletter by Kirsten Cali
WOW Wednesday – Activity Time
On Wednesdays, I highlight some of our amazing MVSD staff on our social media pages. Every day our staff are using tech in new and exciting ways, are learning new skills, and are sharing ways in which ed tech is assisting them in their practice. This week Mountain View School Division is hosting Kindergarten registration events across our elementary schools. As such, I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight one of our amazing divisional programs, Activity Time. This program, which is run by our preschool coordinator Sheila Giasson, moved virtually in 2021 and has provided an opportunity to strengthen not only… Read More
#TechTipTuesday – Online Presence
On Tuesdays, I share a Tech Tip on our social media pages to assist our staff in their use of technology as it relates to their role. January is recognized as Clean Up Your Computer Month and all of this month’s tips have been dedicated to this topic, with today being our last. While the posts shared earlier this month covered how to clean, organize, and maintain your physical computer, the personal/professional network you create online, also called your digital footprint, extends well beyond these elements. Chances are that you have dozens, if not more, of online services where you have created accounts/profiles. These include social… Read More
Data Privacy Day
January 28th serves as Data Privacy Day, dedicated to bringing awareness to the privacy and security of your data (and students). While this has been an important topic for quite some time, the rise of AI and its implications on copyright and data access has changed everything. As such, this is the perfect opportunity to review these skills. The following posts have been shared in the past and can help guide your learning in the area of data privacy and cyber security. Student Data – ICT Considerations What we should know about student data in the context of MVSD, MTS,… Read More
The Cell Phone Debate
Apple released its first iPhone in June of 2007, a tech milestone that was overshadowed for me by my graduation from high school. I had no K-12 classroom experience with a smartphone, although my trusty Samsung SCH-A670 was always close at hand. In fact, I was seven months shy of completing my SECOND university degree before I was able to afford my first smartphone (this moment was actually documented on this blog). And while I do not have experience as a youth-learner with a smartphone, I do have experience teaching in the K-12 system with students who have smartphones, experience… Read More
#TechTipTuesday – Disinfecting Technology
On Tuesdays, I share a Tech Tip on our social media pages to assist our staff in their use of technology as it relates to their role. January is recognized as Clean Up Your Computer Month and all of this month’s tips will be dedicated to this topic! Given that we have now been back to work for two weeks, during peak cold/flu season (with multiple indoor recess days at close-quarters), it is time to physically clean your computer itself! Keeping your device(s) clean and disinfected not only helps ensure that you are healthy but it can also help ensure your device is free… Read More
Data as a Pollution Problem
On Mondays, I share a different ed tech quote on our Thompson Classroom social media pages for our staff to consider. This weekend, January 28th, plays host to Data Privacy Day and this entire week is dedicated to Data Privacy Awareness. I wanted to start this week with an open discussion and call to action. As we better inform ourselves about the importance of data privacy and security, within the context of education, I ask you to reflect on your practices in the classroom or office space: are there any passwords visible or accessible to others? this applies to both students and staff… Read More
Follow Friday – The AI Education Conversation
On Fridays, I share what I believe to be a notable person/organization/school on our social media pages to assist our staff in the development of their online Personal Learning Network. I am always searching for different PD-focused podcasts to help me grow in my practice. As someone who regularly holds PD for others, it can sometimes be challenging for me to build in time for my professional learning as the dedicated PD days in our teaching calendar do not apply to me in the same way they do for other staff. However, I travel for my job A LOT. Between the regular… Read More