Blog

Media Literacy Week 2023

On Mondays I share a different ed tech quote on our Thompson Classroom social media pages for our staff to consider. If you are new to Media Literacy Week, Media Smarts describes it as: “Media Literacy Week is an annual national campaign hosted by MediaSmarts and the Canadian Teachers Federation to promote digital and media literacy, with activities and events taking place in classrooms, libraries, museums and community groups from coast to coast to coast.”  Media Literacy Week Resources Break the Fake resources Media Literacy Week newsletter Media Literacy Week Teachers Hub YouTube Channel Connect with MediaSmarts on Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram Questions? mlw@mediasmarts.ca Crash Course Media Literacy Playlist Read More Digital… Read More

AI In The Classroom – COSL – MTS PD Day

Today I had an opportunity to learn and share alongside the Council of School Leaders as part of #MTSPDDay. The following is a curated list of resources to support our discussion. Introduce Yourself to Artificial Intelligence AI In The Classroom – Fall 2023 – COSL by Kirsten Cali The above video is a TED Talk parody designed by using AI content creation tools. Full details on how this was created is explained HERE. John Spencer, creator of the above video, has a trove of AI information available across their platforms. Some notable pieces I have found valuable include: The Future of… Read More

Follow Friday – #MTSPDDay

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. This week, as I do every year at this time, I’d like to bring recognition to the #MTSPDDay hashtag! As educators take part in various professional development sessions across the province, many of them are choosing to share their learning via social media and tagging their posts using the hashtag #MTSPDDay. By following along with this hashtag on your platform of choice you are able to document your own learning, grow your PLN, and take in… Read More

WOW Wednesday – Shawna Prokopowich & Janice Mullin

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 I had the pleasure of starting my week at Ecole Macneill to learn and share alongside members of the Grade 4-5 team, Shawna Prokopowich and Janice Mullin. In full transparency, Ecole Macneill is one of our MVSD schools that I visit the least and this is because of the fantastic ed tech leadership in place within… Read More

#TechTipTuesday – Secure Email

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 workplace-related). If you missed our previous cyber security tips you can check them out below: secure passwords phishing emails Almost everything online is now asking you to create an account using your email address; I can’t even read the online articles from the Winnipeg Free Press without creating a “free” account to gain… Read More

AI in the Classroom – There’s More to Love Than Hate

Earlier this year I had an opportunity to sit down with Ray Job from the Manitoba Teachers’ Society to chat about AI. We discussed what artificial intelligence is, how roles it can play in the field of education, and what educators should be aware of moving forward. The article is now live and ready for viewing! I will embed the article, hosted via “Issuu” below: The article can also be downloaded direct:

Passwords Are Like Underwear

On Mondays I share a different ed tech quote on our Thompson Classroom social media pages for our staff to consider.  As we progress through Cyber Security Awareness month I want to continually remind both staff and students about the importance of strong passwords. If you would like to review this topic I recommend a previous post from earlier this month: #TechTipTuesday – Secure Passwords This post includes some tips/tricks for strong password development as well as a discussion on password habits teachers should break. As I come off of an AI-focused lens at the Convergence conference I thought it would be… Read More

Convergence Conference 2023

What better way to kick off the school year then with high-quality, inspiring, professional development! Last spring, MAETL reached out to various ed tech committees across Canada who were doing similar work to our organization and, through this outreach, we connected with ATLE out of Alberta. Our friendship was solidified when they sent a fantastic group out to the Riding the Wave conference in Gimli in May and it was decided then and there that we could reciprocate a visit to their Convergence conference in October. Myself and Troy Sigvaldason (MAETL VP and IT-extraordinaire) are taking in the conference, as… Read More

Follow Friday – Canadian Centre for Cyber Security

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. With the month of October playing host to Cyber Security Awareness Month it seemed fitting to showcase the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS) for Follow Friday! You can follow along with them on Twitter/X or through their website which includes: cyber security tips general info and bulletins notice of reported incidents to be aware of education and training resources and more You can review all of the blog posts on cyber security by clicking HERE.

AI in the Classroom – CONVERGENCE

Introduce Yourself to Artificial Intelligence AI In The Classroom – CONVERGENCE by Kirsten Cali The above video is a TED Talk parody designed by using AI content creation tools. Full details on how this was created is explained HERE. John Spencer, creator of the above video, has a trove of AI information available across their platforms. Some notable pieces I have found valuable include: The Future of Writing in a World of Artificial Intelligence #ChatGPT  We Can’t Predict How A.I. Will Change Learning #ChatGPT  In a World of AI, Our Students Need Project-Based Learning  No, Artificial Intelligence Won’t Destroy High School… Read More