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
The Irony of Discussing the Social Dilema via Social Media
*This post has been written as part of my journey as a Ph.D student through University of Regina “If you have access, watch The Social Dilemma on Netflix and comment on how Web 2.0 (the social web) has influenced our lives in positive and negative ways and how this might implicate (or has implicated) our schools and society” I had watched The Social Dilema in 2020 but did need to rewatch it for the purpose of this assignment; spoiler-alert, it was worth a rewatch. The following are some of the primary* themes that are outlined within the documentary in terms… Read More
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
Online Teaching as an ICT Coordinator
*This post has been written as part of my journey as a Ph.D student through University of Regina The Covid-19 pandemic has changed A LOT of things for everyone; coordinators included. To say the adjustment has been easy would be a lie… I’m shared between all 16 of our school buildings and, whenever possible, I strive to visit every building at least once a month to support teachers, staff, and students with all things ed tech. Sometimes these visits are scheduled appointments but often they consiste of me stationing myself in the libary, common-area, or staff room and developing organic… Read More
Media Literacy Week 2022
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 and Instagram Questions? mlw@mediasmarts.ca Crash Course Media Literacy Playlist Read More Digital… 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 – Goose Lake High
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 would like to highlight a brand new upgrade to our high school in Roblin, Goose Lake High: a new PC computer lab! Over the summer months the school renovated their old lab space and purchsed 25 new desktop stations for use in their Grade 9-12 classes including ICT and computer science. This addition brings the… Read More