As we reach the conclusion of the school year I am fielding many requests related to student data and the use of online tools. Understanding how data about our students’ is collected, stored, and shared is an ongoing priority but is especially relevant this year when the introduction of many online tools (including our online learning platforms) progressed rapidly and without the opportunity for detailed staff education. In an effort to provide clarification on the many levels of student data legislation and guidelines I have put together the following document that outlines the ICT Considerations of our governing student data… 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 actually marks the LAST #WOWWednesday of the 2019/2020 school year! If you’re looking for inspiration please check out the #WOWWednesday label on this blog to see the staff/projects I have highlighted in 2020 or view one of the social media accounts to scroll back and seel ALL of the posts from this… 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
#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
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
MVSD ICT Newsletter – June
MVSD ICT Newsletter – June. (2020). Uploaded by Kirsten Thompson. Available online at: http://fishbowlteaching.blogspot.com/
#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/ After 10 weeks, educators in Manitoba are beginning a return to school buildings this week. While this looks slightly different depending on your school division (you can read how MVSD is organizing this return), one similarity is that this shift will result in an increased access to your colleagues. I encourage you to carve out some time to not only self-reflect but to also meet with… Read More
Shared Device Health Recommendations
As we prepare for a gradual return to our school and office buildings I wanted to highlight health recommendations in regards to the use of shared devices in our buildings. This includes, but is not limited to: stationary desktop workspaces in common areas student laptops/netbooks student tablets interactive whiteboards shared photocopiers/printers any other “high touch” shared tech tool If you’d like to check out one of my earlier posts on How To Disinfect Your Tech you can view it HERE. View this post on Instagram The health & safety of our students, staff & #mvsd_mb community is of the utmost… Read More
#TechTipTuesday – Delayed Messages in Outlook
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. Delay Delivery. (2020). Uploaded by Kirsten Thompson. Available online at: http://fishbowlteaching.blogspot.com/ Lets be real, during “regular teaching” teachers are often working on their own time which may include evenings, early mornings, weekends, etc. Now that many of us are reporting from home this type of work schedule is even more common. With the balance of managing child care alongside work expectations I find that I do some of my best work between… Read More
Laptop Loan Program – EXPANDED to Junior High
Earlier this month I was able to share one of the new offerings our ICT Team was undertaking in an effort to help increase student learning success: the loaning of our divisional laptops to our High School (Gr 9-12) students. This was a big task for us as we did not have any device lending pre-Covid and are also not 1-to-1 so our available inventory is limited. As such, this has been a multi-phase approach that will allow us to help serve those who need the support most. We had a very positive response to this program… Read More