Kristen's Learning Blog

Grow Your Mo! Smashing Sucess!  It's November, you take a look around and see various forms of facial hair growing on the men around you, maybe you are thinking- makes sense! It gets cold in Canada in the winter, they want to protect there face -you'd be wrong, they are actually supporting   Movember! What is Movember? Movember is a campaign that works towards preventing men from dying too young from prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide. Their website's mission statement says: "Our fathers, partners, brothers, and friends face a health crisis that isn’t being talked about. Men are dying too young. We can’t afford to stay silent." The video below tells all! Background:  Movember originated back 2003 when two Australian friends,  Travis Garone and Luke Slattery, were inspired by their friend's mother who was raising awareness about breast cancer. These two men realized that men's health is an issue which needed more ...

After taking 3 AQ courses related to ICT, I can confidently say that I know a lot!  That being said.... here's some things that I took note of:  My school needs a technology committee- Enter Kristen  (stage right). I'm ready for the challenge and have already reached out to some members I think might be interested  Side note- I will need to find students to create a Student Tech Club. Thank you Emily (a fellow teacher/learner in Tech Part 3, whom is definitely a technology wizard with a wealth of information) for your idea in your Staff Development Plan!  The tools and applications that can be used in the classroom are constantly evolving. Which means, I need to be constantly adapting, growing and learning. (Hence the need for the technology committee) Behind the scenes- I feel like in this AQ I really got a good look at the "behind the scenes" concepts related to ICT. The considerations that need to be thought about when introducing new technolog...

I recently created a staff development plan for the integration of computer technology at a school level. To view the plan please click here . Through each level I noticed some reoccurring themes/considerations . 1)    Education and Practice - after a piece of technology is introduced, staff members need time to practice. They should be first given education on what the tool can do, then some time to play around with it themselves. The staff members should set some goals for using the technology. They should be given some time to use the new piece of technology in their classrooms and then reflect on their goals and experience with the tech.  2)  Developing goals:  at each stage, it's important to set goals for what you are trying to achieve- group, school or individual goals, it doesn't matter they need to be set so that as you work through the stages you can see what changes need to be made, which leads me to the next consideration- reflection. 3)   ...

Computer technology and it's integration in schools have provided a lot of opportunities to increase student engagement, meet learning needs by providing differentiated instruction and assessment opportunities. In regards to assessment practices, it can be useful in cultivating a culture of more fair and equitable practices. How you might ask? Well, as the effective assessment and design article so eloquently put it,  "technology extends the options available to designers of assessment and feedback, making it possible to vary the approach taken within a module or programme of learning. The use of different formats and media, combined with elements of peer and self-assessment, can both encourage learners to spend time on tasks and prompt original thought" below is a recap of the points the article mentions- what we should be doing to support our learners! There are many tools we can use to utilize and increase formative assessment opportunities. If teachers use tools...

There are really no limits to the way technology can be used to help support the development of equitable, inclusive learning environments where the needs of all learners are met. Everyday it seems like new applications, tools and extensions are created to support presentation creations, reading, writing and numeracy skills. As the video on Universal Design Leaning (UDL) stated - learning needs are much like finger prints- each person learns in an individualized manner. It's "not a one size fits all" or "sink or swim" mentality in the classroom anymore and technology plays a massive role in the shift to meet all learners needs. It is like the life preserver allowing people to float above the water, making learning easier as they (learners)  navigate through choppy water. One way it can be used for inclusive and equitable learning is simple by making materials available. When teachers use things like Google Classroom  students can access materials when th...

LEADER:  the person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country (dictionary.com) For Integration of Information and Computer Technology, being a leader means paving the way for fellow colleagues , students and parents . Leader and Leadership will, for the remainder of this post be referred to as "IT" It  means helping colleagues discover ways to revamp old assignments, by introducing them to things like SAMR.  It  means helping them access new resources and apps by showing, sharing and teaching them how to use them. It means embracing new technology but not hoarding it for yourself but sharing it within your department, school and board. It means being available and wanting to communicate  how to use and integrate new technology into different classes. To be a leader who can lead their colleagues you need to be organized and prepared . Have websites, resources and practical plans that can help your colleagues learn how valuable technology...