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: Monday is not only the start of a new month but also the start of a new set of Covid-19 restrictions across the province. Educators are currently working to accomplish their regular curricular goals ontop of: addressing the complex mental health needs resulting from the pandemic adjusting to new health guidelines designing and participating in blended learning completing assessments and writing report cards planning virtual Remembrance Services planning virtual Parent-teacher conferences and much, much more! While this… Read More
Media Literacy Week 2020
Every Monday I share a different ed tech quote on our Thompson Classroom social media pages for our staff to consider. In honour of Media Literacy week, which runs from October 26-30, this week’s Mantra is: If you are new to Media Literacy Week, Media Smarts describes it as: “Media Literacy Week (MLW) is an annual event promoting digital and media literacy across Canada. Schools, libraries, museums and community groups organize events and activities throughout the week. In 2020, we’re encouraging Canadians of all ages to be good digital citizens by checking the info they see online before sharing it. Take part by becoming a… Read More
#MantraMonday – World Teacher’s Day
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 World Teachers Day and I’d like to dedicate this post to all of the teachers who go above and beyond for their kids, even when it isn’t convenient for themselves. My experience as a student is incredibly diverse ranging from meeting overwhelmingly positive and supportive educators to discouraging and rage-enducing. Luckily, I say with confidence that my overall experience trended positive, despite the small hurdles I encountered. Today I’d like to formally thank some of… 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: Self care is increasingly important this year; for both students and staff but also families. For myself this looks like dedicated noon-hours where I participate in physical activity away from the work building where I can get my heart-rate elevated and get back in-touch with nature when the weather allows. We’re also quite fortunate to have a cabin along Lake Manitoba where we can get away on weekends to recharge as a family. View this post on… 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: This quote comes from the Blended Learning Guidebook which was used in the Blended Learning MOOC I participated in this summer. This quote applies both to students as well as teachers. I encourage all of our staff to explore their LMS together, co-create spaces with students, and give patience to yourself and them. Through the day I shared via Instagram/Facebook stories some quick tips on how one might introduce an ed tech platform with comfort/competency in mind.… 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/ Through the month of June I have been encouraging all staff to reflect on the learning opportunities awarded to them through the experience of Covid-19. (Some tools to facilitate this reflection include the Year End Tech Checklist & the Self-Reflection rubric). This increase in tech usage has fast-tracked the use of educational technology for many of our staff; our direct Office 365 stats show just how big… 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
#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/ Last week I encouraged us all to carve out some time to reflect on experience of distance instruction. For many of us, the suspension of classes led to the implementation of: – new tech tools – different content delivery practices – different assessment methods – new curation/organizational structures – and much more! One topic that I have had an opportunity to discuss and write about in the… 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/ 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
#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