One of our projects this semester is to develop components of a curriculum within a group setting. I am very lucky because my partner is not only interested in technology as well but also lives in our area and is already a good friend of mine; lucky me! 🙂 We have been working on a middle-years Digital Literacy curriculum that is designed to be implemented cross-curricularly. If you read my previous post you know that a big chunk of our class has been spent on the theory behind strong curriculum development. As such, this is our theoretical foundations for our… Read More
Digital Literacy/Citizenship Skills That Students Need To Have
I have been doing a lot of work in the areas of digital literacy and citizenship in the past few years through this blog, in my classroom, at conferences I’ve presented at, and the work that I’m doing for my M.Ed; it is something I am passionately interested in and it seems to infuse its way into the various aspects of my professional life. I strongly believe that there is a BIG disconnect between the skills educators have, the skills their students have, the skills that educators assume their students have, and the skills that educators… Read More
#TRSD32 Tweet Challenge of the Week
Ever since our division was encouraged to join Twitter at the end of September I have been trying to keep participation going by posting weekly “Tweet Challenges“. This week’s challenge is: #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge of the Week: share 1 thing you took away from Friday’s PD Day & how you can use it this week. #PD #mbteach — Kirsten Thompson (@MissLwbt) February 29, 2016 – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for the Week of Oct 6th – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for the Week of Oct 13th – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for the Week of Oct 19th – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for the Week of Oct… Read More
Building Your Digital Literacy Tickle Trunk – BYTE Conference 2016
Three years after my first presentation at BYTE (with the wonderful Tyler) I was back at it again today sharing about digital literacy and citizenship at the 12th Annual BYTE Conference (which has now moved to Brandon after calling Neepawa home for many years). It was so energizing to be back in a classroom setting after almost 8 months and connecting and sharing with so many enthusiastic and inspiring educators! It was a very busy day but I was happy to reconnect with many of my favourite Tweeps like Andy, John, Zoe, John, and probably many more that… Read More
Digital Footprint: Fakebook Assignment
Our students are considered “digital natives” and have most likely had an online presence since birth (thanks to enthusiastic parents and family members). Their digital footprints are more deeply rooted then ever before and it is vital that they are aware of their own digital footprint and how to ensure that they are positively representing themselves online. You can head over to the Teaching in a Fishbowl TpT Store to download this activity for FREE!
Indigenizing the Curriculum
As professionals tasked with the education of Canadian youth, educators require understanding of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit practices, in order to effectively apply appropriate pedagogy within their classrooms. Deyhle, Swisher, Stevens, and Galvan (2008, p. 344) illustrate the process in which Indigenous peoples of North America have fought towards building an educational model that addresses the biases found in current models and strives to reshape education from an epistemological perspective. The authors’ lament over the multiple instances of cultural genocide through post-colonial education systems and call for a shift to self-determination in Indigenous education (Deyhle et al,… Read More
How Does Theory Help Curriculum Development?
The curriculum development process can be organized into four, seven, or more steps depending on which model and theorist the development plan is based on (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2013, pg. 13). Regardless of the model that is chosen, curricularists need to recognize that curriculum development is a lengthy process that requires professionals to make judgements to best serve the social and political realities of their situation while meeting the needs of a diverse group of learners (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2013, pg. 13). A strong theoretical background is essential for curricularist to ensure that their curriculum development is backed by the… Read More
Grade Wars
When I took on my teaching position I inadvertently took on the responsibility of planning our school’s largest spirit-activity: Grade Wars. Started in our school by my predecessor, Grade Wars is a week-long school/community-spirit activity between our high school classes that sees them competing in various events that are based on everything from athletics and academics to social-justice and just plain craziness. I say that I inadvertently took on the responsibility…. While it is encouraged, Grade Wars isn’t something that was deemed mandatory by my admin team so I actually didn’t take it on during my… Read More
Further Thoughts on the Education Paradigm
*This post has been written as part of my journey through my Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Planning through Brandon University Changing the Education Paradigm. (2008) Uploaded to TED. Availble onine at: https://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_changing_education_paradigms Sir Kenneth Robinson’s speech, “Changing the Education Paradigm” has recorded over 1.6 million views through the TED platform and countless more through the various versions uploaded online through text and video platforms. The video is viewed by everyone from pre-service teachers and educational PD attendees to parents and businessmen/women around the world. The graphics of the video and charisma of Robinson make for an engaging video that… Read More
#TRSD32 Tweet Challenge of the Week
Ever since our division was encouraged to join Twitter at the end of September I have been trying to keep participation going by posting weekly “Tweet Challenges“. This week’s challenge is: #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge of the Week: are you going to discuss the La Loche shooting with students today? In what context? #LaLoche — Kirsten Thompson (@MissLwbt) January 25, 2016 – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for the Week of Oct 6th – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for the Week of Oct 13th – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for the Week of Oct 19th – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for the Week of Oct 26th – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge… Read More