Brandon University will always have a very special place in my heart. I completed my B.A & B.Ed over the course of 6 years while living and working on campus. Following that I returned to complete my M.Ed (by distance this time). Over the years I have welcomed any and all opportunities to return to campus to: – enjoy community presentations/events – take part in Mini-U (as a field trip with my students; highly recommend) – present in the Internet for Ed B.Ed class! (#I4Ed) Today was one such visit! Thank you to Mike Nantais for… Read More
PD on the Potty
After listening to a podcast episode with Kasey Bell, Shake Up Learning, I decided to try a new way of communicating tech tips with my staff: Potty PD! Now this idea is not new, its been floating around the Twittersphere for a while but we all know: don’t reinvent the wheel. While emails, social media posts, newsletters, etc are all well and good (and I do those things as well), there is something to be said for having a captive audience. Enter Potty PD! The simple placement of a flier featuring quick tips in the staff facilities and you… Read More
Microsoft Series Part 5 – Forms
Part five of our Microsoft Series is going to focus on Office 365’s data collection tool: Forms. Whether it is an informal survey to gather information or a carefully planned out assessment, Forms can get the job done! Forms offers real-time data collection for you to easily review your results in automated graphs or as an Excel spreadsheet. Integration of learning tools such as Immersive Reader also allows your students to get question-by-question read-aloud support when needed. Forms Logo. (Accessed 2019). Available online at: www.office.com What is Forms? Forms Professional Development Forms Presenter-led Training If you would like… Read More
2020 Presentation Schedule!
I am so excited to share that the final touches have been put onto my 2020 presentation schedule! When I left the classroom for my second maternity leave in 2018 I set a goal for myself to get more involved in public speaking as a way to stay connected to the professional-side of my life. This goal allowed me to work creatively on various ed tech projects and provided an avenue to deepen my understanding. View this post on Instagram Thank you to the BYTE Conference planning committee for having me out to Virden today. We had a… Read More
Microsoft Series Part 4 – OneNote/Notebook/Class Notebook
Part four of our Microsoft Series is focused on one of the most comprehensive tools in the Office 365 suite; OneNote/Notebooks/Class Notebooks. Think of OneNote as an online environment that allows you to organize and catalogue information from a variety of different mediums (text, images, audio, video) as well as embedded content from within Microsoft but also third-party platforms. Now, like I mentioned, the amount of options available through this tool is incredibly comprehensive so recognize that this post is a general overview of how you can learn more. With that being said, if you are… Read More
Microsoft Series Part 3 – OneDrive
In the third part of our Microsoft Series I would like to highlight OneDrive; which is really the glue that holds all of our tools together! Aptly represented with a blue cloud-shaped icon, OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud-based file storage platform. One nice feature to recognize is that OneDrive stores their data within Canada (Quebec City and Toronto specifically) so your use of this feature helps to ensure your compliance in aspects related to FIPPA, PHIA, and PIPEDA. OneDrive Logo. (Accessed 2019). Uploaded by Office 365. Available online at: www.office.com What is OneDrive? OneDrive Professional Development OneDrive Presenter-led Training … Read More
Microsoft Series Part 2 – Office 365 Overview
In the second part of our Microsoft series I would like to provide a general overview of the Office 365 Suite, where to find professional development, and how these tools can be used in the classroom. It is important to note that the screenshots and information that I share are within the context of my position at MVSD; specific features may appear differently depending on your context. What is Office 365? The Office 365 suite, featuring more than ten associated tools/apps, can be easily accessed by selecting the “9-dot waffle” App Launcher in the top left-hand corner of… Read More
Microsoft Series Part 1 – Microsoft Educator Community
In 2017 I began my journey with Microsoft Edu professional development when TRSD rolled out their transition to Office 365. Being a Google-girl up to this point (I even hold my Google Educator Level 1 Certificate) my journey was initially touch-and-go. As I’ve familiarized myself with their platform I have become increasingly impressed with their initiatives and have completed the Microsoft Innovative Educator Training Academy and am working on completing my training hours this year. As we progress through the school year I’d like to facilitate a Microsoft Series that discusses aspects of their Office 365 suite, where… Read More
Are You Using Twitter Chats?
Education is a life-long journey and this mindset is something that is best modelled by educators. I mean, how can we expect our students to develop a natural love for learning if we are unwilling to continue on the journey ourselves? School divisions regularly incorporate professional development throughout the school year but these are often sporadic and not necessarily aligned with each individual teachers’ interests; rather they often centre on a general theme or a specific divisional goal. While there are numerous conferences, classes, programs that educators can participate in to further their own education these… Read More
Whats New With ManACE
Earlier this week I headed into the city to attend the annual planning meeting for ManACE (Manitoba Association for Computing Educators). After serving on the board for the 2013/2014 school year I took a leave of absence to focus on my M.Ed journey. Now that I’ve graduated and am home on maternity leave I thought that this would be a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with this wonderful organization. Here are some of the awesome things you want to know about! 1 ) #MTSPDDay / SAGE Sessions – ManACE is the only SAGE group to offer PD opportunities across the province rather than centralized in Winnipeg or… Read More