Every Tuesday 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. With MVSD being a Microsoft EDU division, one of the reminders I send out every September focuses on the Microsoft Educator Center (aka Microsoft Learn). This is a FREE online community platform in which educators can participate in Microsoft-based professional development, connect with other educators, access virtual field trips, find shared resources and more! With so many topics to choose from, this is one of my go-to resources to share with educators who are looking for support… Read More
Follow Friday – George Pearce
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 was first introduced to George during 2020, like many of us were, when they took on hosting massive open Kahoot activities that connected THOUSANDS of students! (You can read more about these activities HERE) Since then, George has been a regular on my social media feed as they share about their classroom experiences in Winnipeg School Division including: esports drones AI coding and a variety of stem activities George’s online presence… Read More
WOW Wednesday – Bethany Brade
On Wednesdays I highlight some of our amazing MVSD staff on our social media pages. Everyday 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. A HUGE shout out to Bethany at Goose Lake High (GLH) who ran with the content they learned at our past mentorship PD and was quick to book a school visit for the GLH Grade 9 ICT classes. I am so thankful that the invitation was extended to visit for the day this Tuesday so that I could… Read More
#TechTipTuesday – National Video Games Day
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. Did you know that Manitoba is a Canadian leader when it comes to eSports? eSports (electronic sports) involves competition using video games and MVSD currently has an eSports presence at both Ecole Macneill, Mackenzie Middle School and the DRCSS (coming this fall). Today’s post has put together a trove of resources including: Why eSports? introduce yourself to the field and get an overview of what role it can play in education eSports PD accessible podcasts sharing… Read More
A Tool Is Only a Tool Until It Is Part Of a Solution
On Mondays I share a different ed tech quote on our Thompson Classroom social media pages for our staff to consider. Today marks the first Monday of the 23/24 school year and our first full week of classes for students and staff across MVSD. Our staff had 2-3 days with students last week and, for most of us, we are ready to swing into full programming mode. The school tours are complete, desks and lockers are organized, back-to-school assemblies have been held, and we will now see regular routines be introduced. When it comes to the role of educational technology in classroom… Read More
Follow Friday – MB Teachers Unplugged
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. Looking for accessible professional development to kick off the school year? Follow along with the new podcast from our local Manitoba Teachers’ Society (MTS): MB Teachers Unplugged! Launched at the end of June, their website describes the podcast as follows: MB Teachers Unplugged episodes feature MTS members, staff, and education experts supporting Manitoba educators’ wellbeing, collective bargaining, and professional development https://www.mbteach.org/mtscms/2023/06/01/mb-teachers-unplugged/ Podcasts can be a great way to build in PD as… Read More
Throwback – Custom Student Tagxedo Art
On Thursdays I usually use our social media platforms to share using the #ThrowbackThursday trend where users participate by sharing a memory (recent or distant). These posts don’t usually make it to the blog but this memory had a few people asking how this was accomplished so I thought it deserved a dedicated space (with some important updates for 2023). While in the classroom I was the Grade 8 homeroom which meant that I had our Grade 8 cohort for the start and end of the day, in addition to any classes I was teaching. As their “home base” this… Read More
WOW Wednesday – Summer PD Participants
On Wednesdays I highlight some of our amazing MVSD staff on our social media pages. Everyday 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. Ahead of the start of our school year, tech PD was offered here at Division Office for any staff members who wanted to fine tune their skills before stepping back into their classrooms. Spread across three days, these sessions incuded a variety of topics including: Maximizing Office 365 Overview of the platform: features, log-in tips, navigation, mobile apps, new updates… Read More
PD on the Potty
Near the end of 2019 I implemented the idea of PD on the Potty following a podcast from Kasey Bell. This alternative method of professional development sees the inclusion of flyers placed in staff washroom facilities. Depending on the month these may include: divisional tech reminders upcoming PD opportunities tips & tricks program reviews social media recommendations and more! Not only do these flyers allow you to have a captive audience but they can provide a bridge for staff members who have technology as a barrier in their practice [for these individuals, emails, social media posts, digital resources, etc are inaccessible]. Here… Read More
September 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 out through our social media pages and divisional website. September 2023 ICT Newsletter by Kirsten Cali