*This post has been written as part of my journey as a Ph.D student through University of Regina MakerSpace Resources Within our division we do not have any school buildings with spaces that are officially designated as Makerspaces. However, we have elements of “maker culture” in every school space. This includes: curriculum-focused spaces for classes such as home-economics, wood-working, design, art, and more library work spaces with a variety of loose-parts student common spaces with supplies such as lego, magnatiles, devices, loose-parts, etc outdoor classrooms with loose-parts sourced from the local environment classroom-based creation stations/centers (especially common at the K-Gr… Read More
Are Schools Changing?
On Mondays I share a different ed tech quote on our Thompson Classroom social media pages for our staff to consider. The first quarter of the 22/23 school year is coming to a close with many schools focusing this week on the distribution of report cards and parent-teacher interviews. Not only is this a time to ensure that students and families understand where one’s current understanding is as it relates to curricular content but it should also be a time for school teams to reflect on their practice. Speaking from a tech perspective this could include things like: how are we sharing… Read More
Assistive Tech
*This post has been written as part of my journey as a Ph.D student through University of Regina The following is a presentation I put together while training on Assistive Tech in our school division: Parkland Clinicians by Kirsten Cali Assistive Tech Resources to Support Your Learning & Future Classroom Use Leveling the Playing Field with Microsoft Learning Tools “This study was designed to evaluate whether Microsoft Learning Tools is useful for enhancing reading and writing instruction and learning. Four 4th grade and four 6th–12th grade teachers from Bellevue School District in Bellevue, Washington participated. We interviewed them and analyzed… Read More
WOW Wednesday – Henderson Elementary
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. Right now if you walk into Henderson Elementary the first thing you will see is technology in the form of a beautiful welcome station featuring a large-screen display and speakers. This display showcases a variety of information including: welcome messages photo introductions of building staff announcements student highlights student and caregiver educational tips This is a great way… 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
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
Online Assessment via Microsoft Forms
*This post has been written as part of my journey as a Ph.D student through University of Regina “Choose any assessment technology that is new to you and plan to use it in your classroom/teaching this week. If you won’t be able to use a tool this week, choose one you would like to use or have used in the past.” Given that I am not in the classroom I do not have direct access to students but I do provide PD to teaching staff and also collect a variety of data from staff regularly. My most-used tool for this… Read More