Today is our first day back from Spring Break in Manitoba, as well as our first work day in the month of April. As such, it is time for 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.
The Teacher Next Door
I am always in search of ways to assist our staff in accessing professional development in the area of ed tech. As I’ve grown in this position, and our teaching environment has changed drastically, this has taken multiple forms: in-person PD sessions for staff groups one-on-one or small group in-person PD sessions social media posts PD on the Potty monthly newsletters Tech Tidbit PD presented virtually over the noon-hour book studies As we progress through what is arguably a year for the record books, I continue to look for ways to strengthen our staff capacity. Last Wednesday during our monthly… Read More
Supporting Ed Tech – Check Your Mail!
Today felt somewhat like Christmas at my office as I was busy packaging up different ed tech resources to be sent out to schools via our divisional mail system. I am always on the look out for different ways to build in ed tech PD and tech integration and for the past few weeks I have been working with our Coordinator of Library Services and Coordinator of Educational Services on two projects: School-Based Book Study Each of our schools has been gifted a book that discusses a specific aspect of ed tech. These books were chosen based on: school goals… Read More
We’re All In This Together
I somewhat cringed as I wrote this post title today because, even with the best intentions, this phrase has become somewhat triggering through the pandemic (and I’m on record saying this phrase multiple times). I decided to keep it, however, because it so often accompanies discussions between “leaders” and their team members. One thing that I hear often in the world of ed tech can be generalized as, “I just don’t have time to learn something new right now”, or, “I’m too old to add that in”. What!? I don’t recall hearing any teacher tell their students, “Now that you’ve… Read More
Leadership
*This post has been written as part of my professional growth plan through my #ISTE20 scholarship. Edtech Coaches Panel: effective strategies to improve teaching & learning Presenters: Kris Amijo, Jason Gay, Stephanie Howell, Amy Hudson Estepp, Brian Seymour, Jeremy Shorr Overview: “A technology integration specialist and coaches panel from a variety of educational settings will share challenges and strategies that contribute to a district’s technology vision, implementing high-quality, job-embedded professional learning opportunities and integrating digital literacy and citizenship.” Main Takeaways: All support roles in a division exist to support teachers in their role with students How can we get teachers to… Read More
Follow Friday – BYTE Conference
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. Being that it is the 3rd Friday in February it can only mean one thing…. it is time for the BYTE Conference! This conference holds a special place in my heart as it was not only the first large ed conference that I attended as a B.Ed student but it was also the start of my presentation experience. Since that time I have been able to attend 6 of the conferences (5 years… Read More
Coaching and Mentoring
*This post has been written as part of my professional growth plan through my #ISTE20 scholarship. Building Buy-in: Helping Faculty See the Value of Classroom Technology Presenters: Nicole May, Caitlin Donovan Overview: “Learn about one school’s strategies for creating buy-in for using technology in the classroom. Explore how the strategies encourage thoughtful use of technology in schools.“ Main Takeaways Meet teachers where they are and provide an accessible entry point that is relevant and meaningful to them take into account current understanding/comfort, teaching style, teaching goals, available resources, subject area, age/stage of students build relationships Highlight progress and don’t punish failures Share… Read More
Laptop Loans in MVSD
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the need for at-home learning, MVSD piloted a laptop loan program in the spring of 2020. Given that MVSD is not a 1:to:1 school division, and we have not explored device loaning before, this was a big undertaking for us. Luckily, there are many great examples across the province from other school divisions who have offered programs like this for many years. Through my contacts at MAETL and ManACE I was able to work with our ICT and Programs & Planning teams to help craft a program that worked for our division. Since… Read More
Making Waves – MVSD Programming During Covid-19
This information is presented from the divisional perspective. The realities of teaching day-to-day during the Covid-19 pandemic can only effectively be shared from a teacher voice. MVSD has just under 90 accounts, across various social media platforms that share on behalf of their school/classroom/professional position. I invite you to visit these accounts to see a glimpse of what teaching and learning looks like within MVSD and connect with our network. (You can also check out the #mvsd_mb on the platform of your choice) “Ground Up – Not Top Down” Our Programs & Planning team consists of our Assistant Superintendent and… Read More
The Complete EdTech Coach – Part 1: Philosophy
*Part 1 of a 4-part series Presenting at teaching conferences and hosting PD sessions has always been a passion of mine. To me, teaching is teaching, whether my learners are school-age or adults. While this fills my cup, it often means that I am involved as a presenter and not a participant during school PD opportunities. As such, my personal PD comes in on my own time. My most recent PD endeavour is, The Complete Ed Tech Coach: An Organic Approach to Supporting Digital Learning, by Adam Juarez & Katherine Goyette. As always, I will be using the blog to… Read More