Blog

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

November 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 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