Here is where you can follow along and keep up-to-date on whats happening in the MVSD ICT world! FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/pg/Thompsonclassroom/posts/ TWITTER Playing around with my new @arloonapps AR chemistry app! After learning about oxides & building an Iron Oxide model I was rewarded with this awesome AR version which coincidentally fit perfect on my son’s P.T placemat #mvsd_mb #AR #edtech https://t.co/kfrozZNwtv pic.twitter.com/xuyNEOlHWm — Kirsten Thompson – Coordinator of ICT (@Thompsonclass) September 19, 2019 INSTAGRAM View this post on Instagram #MantraMonday Need support in the implementation of technology into your practice? I’m here to help! #mvsd_mb A post shared by Kirsten… 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
Encouraging Student Voice Through Social Media
The following is an IGNITE-style presentation I created for my Internet for Teachers course. We were tasked with selecting a topic of our choice related to education and technology that could be presented within the framework of an IGNITE presentation. If you are not familiar with what an IGNITE presentation is, speakers are essentially asked to discuss a topic within a 5 minute time frame using a series of visuals that automatically advance every 15 seconds. The result is fast-paced presentation that “ignites” the audiences’ thinking while requiring the speaker to think critically about their topic… Read More
Using Social Media for Online Learning
The following is a newsletter I created for my Introduction to Educational Administration course regarding the significance of social media and how it can be used by educators (specifically administrators) as a professional learning tool.
Reflecting on my Professional Learning Network (PLN)
When asked to reflect on my Professional Learning Network (PLN) for our Internet for Teachers course I must admit… I was frustrated and a little stuck on where to start. As someone who very purposefully began developing their PLN while in their undergrad degree I see my online networks as simply regular aspects of my life…. it was like asking me to reflect on the value of conversing with my colleagues while at work. So I started delving back into my blog posts to see how my PLN developed over the years and how my experiences… Read More
Internet for Teachers – Summary of Learning
The following is the summative project I created for my Internet for Teachers class. This narrative briefly summarizes some of the discussions we had throughout the course as well as highlights various tech tools that were shared through the semester. I can’t believe that the semester is already over as it seems like only last week I was sharing my thoughts on the beginning of the semester. What I enjoyed most about this course was being able to discuss the purpose behind educational technology and analyze aspects such as appropriate pedagogy, purpose, and affects. When I eventually complete my Masters… Read More
Internet for Teachers – Ed Tech “Meme”
Ed Tech Meme. (2017). Uploaded by Kirsten Thompson. Available online at: https://fishbowlteaching.com//2017/11/internet-for-teachers-ed-tech-meme.html Source Picture: Kirsten Thompson (Oct 12, 2017). Source Quote: Erben, T., Ban, R., & Castañeda, M. E. (2009). Teaching English language learners through technology. New York: Routledge Quote Justification: I chose this quote because I strongly believe that technology is capable of providing learning opportunities for students that were previously unavailable. Whether that is as simple as “hooking” a disengaged student, establishing cross-curricular applications, collaborating with others, or sharing original content. Image Justification: This is an original image taken from my Grade 7 Social Studies classroom. Students were using… Read More
Principals on Social Media: Why Should You Get Online?
Schools can no longer be autonomous organizations that operate behind closed doors. Schools are held accountable by a wide spectrum of diverse stakeholders that includes everyone from student family’s and community members to divisional administration and governmental departments. As the leader of their building it is one of the principal’s primary objectives to communicate school information clearly and concisely with all stakeholders (Farrell, 1999, Parents & Community chapter, para. 7) (Ferriter, Ramsden, & Sheninger, 2011, p. 20) (Waxman, Boriack, Lee, & MacNeil, 2013, p. 191). One indicator of a principal’s managerial effectiveness relates to their ability to select… Read More
Crowdfunding in the Classroom: Controversial or Simply 21st Century Fundraising?
*This post has been written as part of my journey through my Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Planning through Brandon University Does your school participate in fundraising activities to raise money for educational resources or opportunities that fall outside of the budget constraints of your building? If so, it most likely involves students and staff petitioning their friends, family, and community selling any number of items: chocolate bars, baked goods, cooking supplies, cash calendars, etc. At any time have you shared these endeavours through social media? If so, you have moved your traditional fundraising into the 21st century and… Read More