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). What is a Phishing Email? Phishing emails are fraudulent messages designed to obtain sensitive information such as financial information, usernames, or passwords. These emails often include links which sends recipients to a website where they are directed to enter personal information into a platform that, while appearing authentic, is fake. The… Read More
Programmed Oppression
*This post has been written as part of my journey as a Ph.D student through University of Regina Critical theory, the legacy of the theoretical work of the Frankfurt School, is centered on changing the circumstances of the oppressed. Giroux (2009) explains that critical theory in education, “…enables educators to become more knowledgeable about how teachers, students, and other educational workers become part of the system” that is emphasized through organizational practices, messages, and values; often referred to as the hidden curriculum. In the realm of educational technology, the pervasive school of thought has seen the inclusion of technology in… Read More
#TechTipTuesday – Secure Passwords
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). Today’s post is focused on tips and tricks involved in strong password development as well as some habits we need to break as educators. Next week’s post will help you determine if any of your accounts have been compromised, which provides the opportunity to update those passwords to increase security! Password… Read More
October ICT Newsletter
September has FLOWN by and we are now into my favourite month of the year, October! 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.
Follow Friday – Mackenzie Middle School
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. For the past two weeks the admin team at Mackenzie Middle School (MMS) have been working on their communication strategy; including the use of social media as a tool for transparency, communication, and community building. After careful consideration, it was concluded that the majority of their adult stakeholders utilized Facebook, and the launch of the Mackenzie Middle School Facebook page was live! Give them a follow to stay up-to-date on… Read More
National Truth & Reconciliation Day
Today schools across Manitoba are wearing orange to honour those affected by the genocide of residential schools in Canada. I acknowledge that systems are still in place that marginalize FNMI people & much work needs to be done to move toward reconciliation. I am stepping back from this blog and social media accounts today and tomorrow for a period of education and reflection; I encourage you to do the same. Wanting to learn more? Mountain View School Division Indigenous Education website Nation Centre for Truth and Reconciliation reports Education Resources for Truth & Reconciliation Manito Ahbee Aki Minecraft world
#TechTipTuesday – Create to Learn
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. This week marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation which will be held on Thursday, September 30th (formally referred to as Orange Shirt Day). As we move forward in a spirit of truth and reconciliation, I know that many educators are looking for resources to support this action. In response, today’s Tech Tip is focused on Create to Learn. “Create to Learn is pleased to offer this free online learning resource in partnership… Read More
Assistive Technology is for Everyone
Every Monday I share a different ed tech quote on our Thompson Classroom social media pages for our staff to consider. This week’s Mantra is: Today marks the first of two divisional professional development days in MVSD. These PD days see all staff, across all positions, coming together to share and learn together (similar to last year, this is occurring virtually via Teams). While there are other PD days through the year, these two are the only ones that reach all staff with a focus on a central theme. This year our morning speaker is Shelley Moore; this is a continuation of… Read More
Interpretivism: The Ed Tech Coaches’ Playbook
*This post has been written as part of my journey as a Ph.D student through University of Regina In our discussion of research paradigms, interpretivism operates on the foundation that sociology needs to be approached differently than the positivist objective stance taken by natural science branches. Crotty (1998) shares that the interpretivism epistemology is one that, “looks for culturally derived and historically situated interpretations of the social life-world.” The role of an educational coach depends on one’s ability to operate within this context as our students’ [educators, administrators, and support positions] programming requires an understanding of symbolic interactionism. A primary… Read More
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 two years I participated in their monthly professional development and business meetings and am honoured to now be serving in the capacity of vice-president. Their website, which is going to be getting a facelift soon (stay tuned!) describes MAETL as: “MAETL (formerly CECM – Computer Education… Read More