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. It is time for #RoboWeek ! Whether you want to use this week to introduce the field of robotics or you are looking to have robotics in your classroom all year long, there are lots of options available to you: MVSD Tech Kits These kits have been designed to allow students to explore a variety of digital literacy streams in a means that is accessible to staff. They are loaned to schools, at no charge,… Read More
National Robotics Week ’24
On Mondays, I share a different ed tech quote on our Thompson Classroom social media pages for our staff to consider. National Robotics Week or “Robo Week” is officially here! If this event is new to you, I recommend checking out the “Follow Friday” post I shared last week (April 5th). I’ll be visiting a number of classrooms this week assisting staff with their introduction of this event and I encourage everyone to try to incorporate elements of robotics throughout the week. The following are some resources to get you started: Where to Access Robotics for Your Classroom MVSD Tech Kits These… Read More
Leader in Me – Community Learning
This year the MVSD Admin Council is continuing our work with the Covey Institute as part of our professional growth plan. This has been an ongoing journey with my involvement including: Fall 2022 – 7 Habits Fall 2023 – Leader in Me This post will serve as a summary of resources to document my learning journey through this session. We started off the day with a reflection on our current understanding of the PD topic and where we are at in terms of our implementation. This was introduced through this video. GET: What results were you getting? DO: What were the top… Read More
Follow Friday – National Robotics Week
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. The 2024 National Robotics Week begins tomorrow, April 6th, and runs to Sunday, April 14th. In preparation for the event, I recommend that you connect with the National Robotics Week network to get access to all the fun updates and resources that they share out! This event is self-described as: “The mission of National Robotics Week (RoboWeek) is simple — to inspire students in robotics and STEM-related fields and to share the… Read More
Mountain View Matters – Esports
I recently had an opportunity to draft an article for our divisional Mountain View Matters series on the topic of esports. This monthly series is one of the outreach tools our division has to speak about topics impacting the students and staff we represent. The articles are prepared by school principals, coordinators, or senior admin and are published both online through our networks as well as in the local newspapers servicing our area. The article is now LIVE on our website and available HERE. I will also include it below. A tour of many buildings within Mountain View School Division… Read More
#TechTipTuesday – CTRL-F
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. Earlier this spring my friend Troy shared this resource with me and I thought it was time it had its place as an official tech tip! CTRL-F is a digital media literacy resource, sponsored by the Canadian government, that supports educators and students in middle and high school. This resource is a branch of the CIVIX charity which is focused on, “building skills and habits of citizenship among school-aged youth”. In their own words, CTRL-F… Read More
April 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. April 2024 ICT Newsletter by Kirsten Cali
Follow Friday – Riding The Wave
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 head into Spring Break I want to make sure that Riding the Wave is on your radar because it is a FANTASTIC learning and networking event and a great way to build your ed tech goals in alignment with your plans for the upcoming year. To check out my summary from the 2023 conference click HERE. Situated in beautiful Gimli, Manitoba this conference is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and, while… Read More
WOW Wednesday – ORS & MMS Students
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. In the wake of our Elementary Esports Divisional event, I wanted to make sure we had a dedicated space to highlight and celebrate our student volunteers who helped make that day such a success. During the initial planning of the event, I wanted to showcase student voices and talent as much as possible while working to reduce… Read More
#TechTipTuesday – Out of Office
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. Spring is officially here, despite still having WAY TOO MUCH snow on the ground for my liking! As we wrap up the third week of March I know that students, and teachers, have their eyes toward Spring Break. However, teachers tend to have their, “teacher-brain”, on all the time and sometimes have challenges stepping back and finding time for themselves. Trust me, you will be a better teacher if you take a break for yourself.… Read More