On Thursdays I usually use our social media platforms to share using the #ThrowbackThursday trend where users participate by sharing a memory (recent or distant). These posts don’t usually make it to the blog but when a memory popped up today I was surprised to see I hadn’t placed it as a feature on the blog in the past. Given the Covid-19 pandemic, we wanted to find a way to offer technology-related professional development to staff while having fun and staying safe during the 2020/2021 year. This project saw staff practice their understanding of collaborative documents and cloud-based storage systems… Read More
Collaborative Video Projects
On Thursdays I usually participate in the online social media trend of #ThrowbackThursday where you re-post a picture or video memory. These posts can be anything the user wants: good memories, bad memories, recent history or decades-old memories. Today, as I was scrolling through old posts on the blog and was reminded that 9 years ago this week I was working with Mike Nantais (who was teaching at BU) and Tyler Letkeman (fellow B.Ed student at the time) on our contribution to the #ETMOOC Lipdub. This project saw participants from around the world work collaboratively to divide up a song,… Read More
What Should Students Share Online?
If you are reading this blog then you already know my stance when it comes to sharing online. I strongly believe that we have a large demographic of consumers and that our students need to be provided with opportunities to share online and develop a positive digital footprint. Unfortunately, I often hear of schools who feature guest speakers discussing the “dangers” of social media and threatening about how what students share online will haunt them in their future endeavors. While I do believe that these types of conversations, when framed productively, are important I don’t believe they should happen in… Read More
Social Media – Divisional Recommendations for Best Practice
This month I have been invited to speak with the MVSD Board’s Community Relations Committee to share my thoughts on social media use. Now, if you have been following my blog for a while you know that the use of social media in education is one of my passions; especially when it comes to its use in increasing transparency and accountability for stakeholders! The slides from my presentation are available below: MVSD Social Media Recommendations for Best Practice from MissLwbt You can read other posts that I wrote about social media HERE. … Read More
Media Literacy Week 2019
As we progress into October it means that educators can begin prepping for Media Literary Week! This event is running from October 7-11 this year and, if you’re new to this awareness campaign, Media Smarts describes it as, “Media Literacy Week is an annual national campaign hosted by MediaSmarts and the Canadian Teachers Federation to promote digital and media literacy, with activities and events taking place in classrooms, libraries, museums and community groups from coast to coast to coast. Whether you’re a community organizer, educator or simply an engaged online citizen, join us from October 7-11, 2019 to Break the Fake and remind Canadians… Read More
Classroom Tech Tools
There are still EIGHT days left until I can get back into my classroom and begin setting up for the new year! *insert stressed expression here* In a perfect world I would have loved to have access through the whole summer so I could work at it casually since I am beginning from the ground up after returning from maternity leave. In my first year I had access in the middle of July which worked perfectly; I was set-up and ready to go a week before school actually started and I could relax before the craziness… 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
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!
What Makes A Great Teacher? Part Two
Last week I shared Keith Hughes video, “The Recipe for Great Teacher” and shared my comments on the first two “ingredients”. (If you missed that post, you can check it out here.) One week later, I’m back and read to explore this further! Like Keith says, the final two ingredients are those “warm fuzzies”; that’s right, we’re going emotional on you. Before you read on, however, if you need a reminder, I’ve embedded Keith’s video again: Here are my thoughts: 3 ) 25% Authenticity– This one may seem pretty obvious but our students want us to be real. They… Read More
What Makes A Great Teacher? Part One
Have you seen Keith Hughes’ video, “The Recipe for Great Teacher“? I came across this video the other day through one of the blogs I follow (unfortunately I can’t remember which one, if it was you let me know so I can give credit!) and wanted to tune in right away! As a first-year teacher I am always asking myself, “Am I doing this right?”, “Is there another way that I can do this?”, “What should I change for next time?”, etc. I’ve followed Keith through his various social media platforms for quite some time now.… Read More