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
The Experience of Social Networks
On Mondays, I share a different ed tech quote on our Thompson Classroom social media pages for our staff to consider. With the onset of #TweetTheHalls starting on Friday I wanted something that spoke to the fact that the connections that can be made in the online space can be immensely valuable. Yes, X/Twitter (I continue to use Twitter/Tweet vocabulary, I can’t help it) is an example of a social network but it is so much more than just a place to share posts and find resources. I joined Twitter in 2012 and I have befriended so many educators across Manitoba who have played… Read More
Follow Friday – Tweet The Halls
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. As we approach December I am thrilled to announce that for the fourth year in a row, I am helping bring #TweetTheHalls to Manitoba (and beyond)! Inspired in 2020 out of a conversation with Donna Miller Fry, this seasonal event is designed to strengthen your educational PLN and spread holiday joy in the month of December. You will see further information being shared about this event as we progress through next week. In the meantime,… Read More
WOW Wednesday – Patti Goodine & Dave Byckal
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 I had the opportunity to visit the Grade 9 & 10 classes of Patti Goodine and Dave Byckal at the Dauphin Regional Comprehensive Secondary School. We spent an entire afternoon together discussing artificial intelligence and learning how it may be used in both the classroom and personal settings. This student-focused visit was a follow-up to… Read More
#TechTipTuesday – Digital Integration for Community Interviews
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. Thursday is the official start of our Community Interviews (parent-teacher interviews) for many school divisions, although individual teachers have already started this process. Given the prevalence of digital tools in our educational programming, I think this is a fantastic opportunity to educate and support our community members on what these tools are and how it shapes opportunities within your school community. I have summarized my thoughts on this topic in a video that is available… Read More
Supporting Parents in Digital Citizenship
On Mondays, I share a different ed tech quote on our Thompson Classroom social media pages for our staff to consider. Today’s quote comes from the book, The Digital Citizenship Handbook for School Leaders, by Mike Ribble and Marty Pack. Within MVSD, our schools will spend this week hosting their “parent-teacher” conferences with families and supporting adults. In addition to communication on student learning and well-being, this is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen community understanding on a variety of topics; digital citizenship and technology use being one of them. Marty and Mike argue that before effective guidance from families can occur, they… Read More
WOW Wednesday – Divisional AI Testimonials
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. As we continue to learn more about AI and explore its potential role in education I have been trying to curate feedback from MVSD staff members on how they are using AI tools in their practice. I believe there is a difference between theoretical and practical applications for all softwares and it is important to me to see… Read More
#TechTipTuesday – Digital Tools for Student Portfolios
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
The Worst Technology
On Mondays, I share a different ed tech quote on our Thompson Classroom social media pages for our staff to consider. Last week, while at the Cyber Summit conference, the keynote speaker (Brian Aspinall) made a comment that really resonated with me, “Today’s technology is the worst our students will ever use”. The conference theme, artificial intelligence, is arguably currently seen as the “latest and greatest” innovation; why else would we be gathered together and spending multiple days unpacking every aspect of it? But, this innovation is the worst technology our students will ever use. This perspective was a wild reminder for… Read More
Cyber Summit 2023
New month – new PD adventure, this time in beautiful Banff, Alberta for the 2023 Cyber Summit! I was first introduced to this conference in the spring through our MAETL work with Brian Aspinall. Given our shared work in the AI space he suggested I explore the idea of attending Cyber Summit and I was thrilled when my proposal was accepted to be part of the 2023 event schedule. The following post is a summary of my experiences: Wednesday Keynote: Brian Aspinall “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious” – Albert Einstein How do we create the… Read More