On Wednesdays, I highlight some of our amazing MVSD staff on our social media pages. Every day 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. In Mountain View School Division our Department of Curriculum and Assessment helps to facilitate a Personal Learning Community (PLC) for various brackets of staff. One of our PLCs is organized for our ELA teachers at the High School level. On Friday, November 8th, I had an opportunity to join this group here at our Division Office to… Read More
The CanadianED Leadership Show
Earlier this month I had the pleasure of chatting with Dean Shareski from the CanadianED Leadership Show. Dean has been a part of my PLN since 2013 when this blog was in its infancy and, over a decade later, is still what I would consider a component of the “best part” of the internet. (Read the linked blog from 2013 for my info on that). While I haven’t seen him in person since the 2014 Awakening Possibilities Conference, we have remained connected online and he continues to help grow my PLN. A perfect example of this was my introduction to Whtiney… Read More
AI in EDU: Opportunity and Dilemma
This evening is the ManACE AGM and my last ManACE meeting as president! I will remain on the board in the future in the capacity of past-president but I am thrilled to be welcoming a new senior executive team and celebrating the success our organization had in the 23/24 school year. As part of our AGM, we will be hosting a keynote presentation by Greg Kulowiec titled, “AI in EDU: Opportunity and Dilemma“. This post will serve as my reflection on this learning experience: When internet connected devices were introduced to classrooms, creating powerful 1:1 learning environments, students and educators… Read More
Sharing Generative AI Practice
This morning I had an opportunity to tune into a PD event hosted via the University of Regina. This post will serve as my reflection on this learning experience: Join us for this online panel discussion as three faculty members share their experiences integrating generative AI into their teaching practices. These individuals include: Dr. Wei Cai – Professor in the Division of Chinese Studies and Japanese Studies in the School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures, and Cultures at the University of Calgary. Dr. Paul Sinclair – Associate Professor of Business Communications in the Faculty of Business Administration at the University of Regina. https://uregina.libcal.com/event/3801752… Read More
Empowering Educators: AI Awareness for Today’s Classroom and Beyond
If there has been one constant over the past 18 months it has been that awareness and training surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) is necessary for all stakeholders. In MVSD, we started this work in the spring of 2023 following the public release of Chat GPT in late 2022. Since then, I have expanded this work to educators across the province and beyond as we all work to navigate the advancements and disruptions AI has brought to our individual roles. With that being said, I am excited to share that I will be further expanding this work via the Manitoba Rural… Read More
Follow Friday – AI Literacy Day
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. Friday, April 19th, plays host to the first annual AI Literacy Day designed to support students, educators, parents, and community members in their understanding of, “What is AI”. In their own words, This event will offer valuable lessons for classrooms and after-school programs, plus professional development opportunities for educators. With events hosted in local communities and national spotlight events, our mission is to promote AI literacy through education. https://www.ailiteracyday.org/ The organization’s website… Read More
April 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 through our social media pages and divisional website. April 2024 ICT Newsletter by Kirsten Cali
More Than Just Play – Elementary Esports Divisionals
On Mondays, I share a different ed tech quote on our Thompson Classroom social media pages for our staff to consider. This week’s primary focus for the ICT Department is our Elementary Esports Divisionals! This event has been a goal of mine for this calendar year and I am thrilled to see it come to fruition. While our middle- and senior-year students have the option of participating in a variety of games, tournaments, and events through the Manitoba School Esports Association (MSEA), our elementary students do not. Modeled after the introductory events our athletic association offers for elementary students, our esports event will… Read More
#TechTipTuesday – AI-Supported Report Card Comments
On Tuesdays, 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. In Manitoba, we have a standardized report card template that communicates attendance, academic achievement, learning behaviours, and includes teacher commentary on individual subjects. Full information about the expectations and format of our provincial report cards is available for review in the Manitoba Provincial Report Card Policy and Guidelines document. When it comes to learner assessment, the formal documentation that takes place as part of required “Teacher Comments” is a time-heavy task. See the policy exert… Read More
#TechTipTuesday – AI for High-Interest Texts
On Tuesdays, 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. When it comes to divisional- and school-based literacy goals, something that I see as a strategy in multiple situations involves high-interest texts. However, this implementation relies on access to these resources. While some schools have access to a variety of text sets, that is not always the case. We also know that it can be challenging to easily reach every interest and every reading-level. Enter AI! Regardless of what AI platform you are using, effective… Read More