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: This quote was pulled from work I started earlier in the month as part of my Ph.D journey at U of R. To read the full version, visit THIS POST from October 9, 2021. The inclusion (or exclusion) of particular tech features can say a lot about what the values/accepted lifestyles are of the company producing the program. As an extension, educators should be aware of the tone this can set in their classrooms. How might you… 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
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
Educate, Don’t Legislate
Today is the day Manitobans will be able to view the long-awaited Ed Review. Originally scheduled to be shared in March of 2020, this framework was delayed as the world shifted gears in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the new education minister, Cliff Cullen, has now stated that the review is ready to be made public (although there is no indication if the contents of this document were altered in response to the pandemic). If you have read my blog for some time you know that I don’t align with our province’s current leadership and I have previously shared… 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
Fair Dealing Week 2021
Every Monday I share a different ed tech quote on our Thompson Classroom social media pages for our staff to consider. February 22nd kicks off Fair Dealing Week 2021 which runs today through to February 26th. The Fair Dealing Canada website describes this legislation as follows: “Fair dealing recognizes that certain uses of copyright protected works are beneficial for society. By placing limits on instances where copyright owners can require payment, fair dealing leads innovation, to the creation of new works and new scholarship. The Supreme Court of Canada increasingly refers to copyright as providing a balance between the rights of users… Read More
Students Thriving Online
Every Monday I share a different ed tech quote on our Thompson Classroom social media pages for our staff to consider. Here in Manitoba it has been a full week since we welcomed the vast majority of our students back to our buildings following a period of temporary remote learning which ended on January 15th. While we continue to have some of our learners enrolled in remote learning as a result of medical accommodations or logistical constraints, almost all of our learners are now attending in-person. While this has been celebrated by many stakeholders we can’t ignore that, for those with access,… Read More
Mantra Monday
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: Today is known by many as, “Blue Monday“. For those who are struggling and need support, technology offers information and assistance from the comfort of your home.
Mantra Monday
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: This quote was recently shared by Niki Card as part of our #MBEdChat #TweetTheHalls event. As we move into January, a lot of our staff will once-again move into a new learning environment as we begin a temporary period of remote learning for middle and high school (with the option extending to elementary for those who request it). Our staff has been busily working to refine their distance and online strategies in preparation of this change. This… Read More
Mantra Monday
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: This quote was shared during a recent #ISTE20 presentation, Maintaining Quality in Online Learning, by Mike Agostinelli. While feedback is essential for learners at all times, the switch to remote or online delivery requires even more focus on this area. Mike shared that, in his context, educators are tasked with ensuring that all learners receive timely, personalized feedback that is focused on both addressing current status as well as indicating next steps. For them, teachers work on… Read More