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
#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/ Teachers know and value the importance of lifelong learning; tech integration is a continual learning process. I encourage you to not see these past 4 months as your “on and done tech PD” and approach 2020/21 in the same way you have done in the past. One thing that we have seen as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and suspension of face-to-face classes is an increased… 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
Distance Field Trips & Guest Speakers with SKYPE in the Classroom
Although it isn’t something I’ve included on the blog, every Thursday I use our social media pages to share a “Throwback Thursday” post. Sometimes these showcase how ed tech has evolved while others showcase previous posts from my social media feed. This week I shared a post that I had originally published in 2017 from my Grade 10 Geography class. At the time we had been discussing the characteristics of different biomes and while experiencing those biomes first hand would have been ideal we were obviously limited to our geographical location. Our plan involved students: – in small… Read More
#TechTipTuesday – Lack of 1 to 1 Devices
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. 1:1 Programming. (2020). Uploaded by Kirsten Thompson. Available online at: http://fishbowlteaching.blogspot.com/ Now that our educators are back in school buildings we have started conversations that touch on the 2020/21 school year (as much as you can without knowing what health recommendations will be during that time). One thing that I have heard a few times is that, “I would use tech more next year if I had more ____”. In MVSD the amount of… 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 I would like to highlight Andrew who teaches at the Dauphin Regional Comprehensive Secondary School (DRCSS). Andrew is heavily involved in community outreach and plays an integral role in the school’s band, choir, and theatrical programming. While the suspension of classes prevented his students from meeting face-to-face he eagerly took to tech… Read More
#TechTipTuesday – Literacy with ICT
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. Literacy with ICT. (2020). Uploaded by Kirsten Thompson. Available online at: http://fishbowlteaching.blogspot.com/ Yesterday I encouraged our staff to purposefully carve out some time to reflect on their experience using online learning platforms. One thing that I am confident that will be brought up in many conversations is the fact that there is a disconnect between what educators assumed students would know how to use when it came to technology and what they… Read More
MVSD ICT Newsletter – June
MVSD ICT Newsletter – June. (2020). Uploaded by Kirsten Thompson. Available online at: http://fishbowlteaching.blogspot.com/
#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
#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/ True distance and online instruction is delivered with conscious planning and pedagogical strategies. I’m curious to see how many PD sessions and university classes will address these topics moving forward. Right now, much of what I see advertised are remote learning PD designed by companies that promote the use of their own specific tools/platforms for online learning. One such resource are the courses available through the Microsoft… Read More