Blog

#TechTipTuesday – Archive Microsoft Teams

    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. Archive Teams. (2020). Uploaded by Kirsten Thompson. Available online at: http://fishbowlteaching.blogspot.com/  Last week I shared our Year End Tech Checklist to assist our staff as they wrap up the 2019/20 school year.  One of those tasks focused on the use of online learning platforms, specifically looking at what to do with these environments at the end of the school year.  Following the use of these tools we are left with an environment that houses a… Read More

Teams / Online Teaching Self Reflection

As we wrap up this 2019/2020 school year still in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic I continue to encourage educators to carve out time to purposefully reflect on this experience as it relates to their use of online learning platforms: – what worked and should continue – what did not work and show be discontinued or modified – what you need to learn more about to be successful – what strengths you can share with colleagues In my search for supports for our staff I came across The MOOBRIC which was originally designed for Moodle-users from the Avondale College of Higher… Read More

#WOWWednesday

     Every Wednesday 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 Jarrett who teaches at Goose Lake High in Roblin.  Jarrett teaches both Math and Science courses and has been one of many reasons why G.L.H has been identified as our “Math Hub” for our video conference course delivery within the division.  Jarrett independently chose to film his classes… Read More

#TechTipTuesday – Year End Tech Checklist

    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. Year End Tech Checklist. (2020). Uploaded by Kirsten Thompson. Available online at: http://fishbowlteaching.blogspot.com/  The end of the school year means a very standard routine for educators: time to clean out your classroom!  For many of us this includes garbaging any unnecessary clutter that has accumulated, archiving and filing, revamping bulletin boards, and perhaps the beginning of an update to certain decor elements. Guess what? This should be happening digitally as well; especially this year!… Read More

#MantraMonday

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: Ed Tech Quote. (2020). Uploaded by Kirsten Thompson. Available online at: http://fishbowlteaching.blogspot.com/  Teachers know and value the importance of lifelong learning; tech integration is a continual learning process.  I encourage you to not see these past 4 months as your “on and done tech PD” and approach 2020/21 in the same way you have done in the past.   One thing that we have seen as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and suspension of face-to-face classes is an increased… Read More

ISTE Summer Learning Academy – #ISTEsla20

     The International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE) has just announced that they will be hosting online summer PD for those educators interested in learning more about online pedagogy (for those teaching fully online or in a blended environment).  ISTE Summer Learning Academy Social Media Graphic. (2020). Uploaded by Kirsten Thompson. Available online at: http://fishbowlteaching.blogspot.com/  This is the first high quality, accessible PD that I have found on this topic that is focused on pedagogical theory as opposed to being company-specific.  The course is also only $20 (USD)!  Some highlights of the course include: ISTE Summer Learning Academy Microcourses… Read More

Distance Field Trips & Guest Speakers with SKYPE in the Classroom

     Although it isn’t something I’ve included on the blog, every Thursday I use our social media pages to share a “Throwback Thursday” post.  Sometimes these showcase how ed tech has evolved while others showcase previous posts from my social media feed.       This week I shared a post that I had originally published in 2017 from my Grade 10 Geography class.  At the time we had been discussing the characteristics of different biomes and while experiencing those biomes first hand would have been ideal we were obviously limited to our geographical location.  Our plan involved students: – in small… Read More

#WOWWednesday

     Every Wednesday 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’d like to highlight all of our staff who undertook technology-related professional development during the suspension of classes.  This was an unprecedented time for everyone and I would like to commend our staff who purposefully chose to commit to their professional growth during this time.       As we are back in… Read More

#TechTipTuesday – Lack of 1 to 1 Devices

    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. 1:1 Programming. (2020). Uploaded by Kirsten Thompson. Available online at: http://fishbowlteaching.blogspot.com/  Now that our educators are back in school buildings we have started conversations that touch on the 2020/21 school year (as much as you can without knowing what health recommendations will be during that time).  One thing that I have heard a few times is that, “I would use tech more next year if I had more ____”.  In MVSD the amount of… Read More