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. In September of 2020, the staff of Smith-Jackson Ukrainian Bilingual School decided to move forward with a Seesaw for Schools subscription for their students. The use of Seesaw as an LMS was incorporated in response to the Covid-19 pandemic to allow for: consistent access to programming in the event students, cohorts, and/or staff could not be in… Read More
#TechTipTuesday – IT Help in MVSD
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. This past month I started working with a group of colleagues in the creation of an MVSD ICT PLN. One of our first tasks was completing a survey of our PLN members to gain feedback on the relationship between our department and teaching staff and how we can refine our practice to best support schools. Our survey results revealed that more information should be shared regarding: how our department operates within the context of the… Read More
Welcome to April!
Today is our first day back from Spring Break in Manitoba, as well as our first work day in the month of April. As such, it is time for a new monthly ICT newsletter. These newsletters are designed to serve as an outreach to all MVSD staff and provide: general ICT updates (software changes, divisional ICT timelines, tech-themed holidays) upcoming PD for the month tech tips divisional highlights These newsletters are sent out to staff via our divisional email but are also shared out through our social media pages and divisional website.
WOW Wednesday – Melanie Keown
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. When I came into this position it was clearly identified that Melanie served as an in-house tech leader, a position that elevates the capacity of our entire divisional team. Melanie is eager to expand her knowledge and recently participated at the BYTE Conference. The information she acquired at this PD was immediately put into practice by creating… 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
Supporting Ed Tech – Check Your Mail!
Today felt somewhat like Christmas at my office as I was busy packaging up different ed tech resources to be sent out to schools via our divisional mail system. I am always on the look out for different ways to build in ed tech PD and tech integration and for the past few weeks I have been working with our Coordinator of Library Services and Coordinator of Educational Services on two projects: School-Based Book Study Each of our schools has been gifted a book that discusses a specific aspect of ed tech. These books were chosen based on: school goals… 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
WOW Wednesday – MVSD Families
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 wanted to shift this practice and highlight our MVSD families who have stepped up to the challenge and are also learning new skills as they work to navigate the role tech plays in their children’s lives. Our Community Outreach program is back for our spring session offerings. This program has been designed to work… Read More
Follow Friday – #MVSD_MB
Every Friday I share what I believe to be a notable person/organization/school on our social media pages to assist our staff in the development of their online Personal Learning Network. This Friday I’d like to re-post content that was originally shared out in the spring of 2020. March is a crazy whirlwind for educators and it is often a time where we all find ourselves going a bit stir-crazy. Usually, the month is filled with spirit activities that help break up this time but many of those activities are not currently possible. Connecting and sharing with colleagues can help boost your spirit… Read More
WOW Wednesday – Sharon Thompson
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. February 22-26th marks Fair Dealing Week and Sharon, who operates our divisional PD Resource Centre, is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Fair Dealing, copyright, intellectual property rights, and much more! You have most likely seen the resources she displays in her photo within your school buildings such as by photocopiers and printers, as well… Read More