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. In Manitoba, November is a whirlwind month for educators. We start off strong with the Halloween candy-hangover, jump right into a time-change, and hit the ground running to complete report cards and book parent-teacher interviews! One of my favourite methods to assist with this is the implementation of student portfolios. Student portfolios can be a fantastic practice in the classroom as they: develop student metacognition selecting exemplars reflecting on their learning journey encourage transparent conversations… Read More
Are You Part of the 33 Million?
On Mondays I share a different ed tech quote on our Thompson Classroom social media pages for our staff to consider. As we get closer to our first formal reporting period in Manitoba it is also an important time to reflect on the communication strategy you are utilizing at a school or classroom level. Schools are working to share their plans for parent-teacher conferences and important upcoming dates such as: report card deliveries meeting times winter concerts While traditional strategies such as school newsletters, student agendas, and email groups continue to be utilized. New additions such as social media can also play… Read More
WOW Wednesday – Bryce Shewchuk
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. This week an EA at Grandview School reached out to me as they wanted to share some of the tech integration they saw happening at their building. I was thankfully able to connect with the teacher in question to learn more and I am so excited to be able to feature Bryce Shewchuk for this week’s WOW Wednesday… Read More
The STEM Mindset
On Mondays I share a different ed tech quote on our Thompson Classroom social media pages for our staff to consider. Tomorrow, November 8th, will play host to STEM Day so I wanted to make sure that I kick-off the week with some thoughts to get us started: If you are looking for STEM Resources, tomorrow’s post will be FULL of links to explore! In the meantime, check these out: Engaging Elementary Students in STEM Learning MVSD Tech Kits
Follow Friday – MAETL
Every Friday 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. MAETL is a provincial organization that I have been involved with since I started my role as Coordinator of ICT in 2019. The past four years I participated in their monthly professional development and business meetings, served as vice-president, and am honoured to be representing the organization as president for 2022/23. Their website describes MAETL as: “MAETL (Manitoba Association of Educational Technology Leaders) (formerly CECM – Computer Education Coordinators of Manitoba)… Read More
November 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. November 2022 ICT Newsletter by Kirsten Cali
Happy Halloween from a Social Butterfly
Who doesn’t love a good tech-themed Halloween costume! Since joining the MVSD team as Coordinator of ICT I’ve tried to ensure my costume aligned with my role and, if I do say so myself, I think I’m on a roll. So far my costumes have included: 2019 – Clippy MVSD was right in the middle of their transition to Office 365 so a Microsoft-themed costume was perfect! 2020 – A North American House Hippo Halloween fell on Media Literacy Week and their theme of “Break the Fake”, which included a House Hippo mascot, was just too perfect. Plus what Canadian… Read More
You Think Halloween Is Scary?
On Mondays I share a different ed tech quote on our Thompson Classroom social media pages for our staff to consider. How many Terms of Service agreements do you think you have clicked, “I Accept”, on as part of the requirements of accessing a digital service? How many times did you actually read the full agreement before selecting, “I Accept”. If you did read it all (good for you), did you understand everything? Terms of Service (TOS) agreements are notoriously difficult to understand and, although some platforms have made their information more accessible, most are full of jargon specific to that field.… Read More
Follow Friday – Media Smarts
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. While Media Literacy week is wrapping up, our focus on media and digital literacy is a year-long task (especially now that so much more of our programming is utilizing online tools). Media Smarts is a fantastic resource to help address these skills as required by Manitoba educators in the Literacy with ICT Continuum. Follow Media Smarts Website Twitter Instagram Facebook YouTube
#TechTipTuesday – Break the Fake
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. As October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, all of the tips shared this month will tackle common cyber security concerns (both student-related and work-place related). If you missed our previous cyber security tips you can check them out below: secure passwords phishing emails email security With that being said, today is not only part of Cyber Security Awareness month but also Media Literacy Week! As such, today’s tip blends both of these topics as we address… Read More