Tales of a (not so) Techy Teacher

A s an educator, it is my duty as per the TQS, to upstand a level of education that ensures all students are seen, heard and represented in my classroom. I was pleased to take a closer look at the Tsuut'ina First Nation high school last week! It was such an interesting experience to see the dedication that the teachers and admin have on preserving their culture. I decided to look into a school a little farther from my home here in Alberta, and check out a school that was in a town next to the one that I grew up in. The Opaskwayak Cree Nation is located next to the North Saskatchewan River, near The Pas, Manitoba. It was fun to take a look at a school that I have never seen, but in a town that is so memorable for me. I hope, one day, to be able to go see the schools that they have built, and I hope that it is similar to the ones we were able to tour here, just outside of Calgary. I appreciate the Indigenous culture so much more everyday, and I strive to preserve their heritage and c...

 Coding is a skill that many people know nothing about. In my mind coding is a string of 1's and 0's that create a program (thank you high school for the skill I never used again!). So similar to computer programing, coding is a way to create their own computer game or interactive collage. They love it! In a world where 99% of children have used some form of technology to interact with online gaming, why not teach the nitty gritty, the how's and the why's?? Using programs like  Scratch  will give students a deeper understanding of the devices they use, and what it takes to create the games they play. In terms of the 5E learning model, video games get a gold star for ENGAGING children! They are the ones who explore, and it is now our job to explain and elaborate, to teach them HOW the game works the way it does. And while most of us are far from being computer programmers, Scratch allows us to learn, ourselves, and teach the basics of coding to our students in fun ways. ...

    It's crazy to me how far we've come with technology. When I was a child, learning and reviewing was all done on paper. I know the teachers did their best to make learning fun, but what a world we live in now! To be able to create a summative review and every student gets to play a fun and interactive game while they're learning is amazing!! Everything about Blooket was fun. The music, the characters, the interaction...Adults loved is so kids will eat it up!!  I found Blooket very easy to use. It is an app that offers questions and games that are already created for a quick and easy review of many subjects, but it also allows educators to create their own sets of questions, and create their own games. Which is great for differentiating or creating something unique for your students!! I could easily use this app not only for math, but vocabulary for any subject, science concepts (maybe a "which one doesn't belong"), or just some fun trivia to keep students o...

Social media is a point of contention in my home. I live with teenagers...I'm not going to sugar coat it. Yes I have Facebook, yes I have an Instagram account (not that I post much of anything). I even have Snapchat, but only to message my kids because let's be real, they are on their phones a lot more than anyone these days. They rely on social media to get through their day, which is mind boggling to me!! I don't believe that children should be on their devices as much as they are. Human connection is SO important. But here we are...so we might as well try to embrace it, right? As I am quickly approaching my teaching career I will be using technology more and more. And with the responsibility of educating children I will also be required to learn how to use different technology in order to stay informed, myself. I will need to convey information to my students, as well as their parents daily, with the use of smart boards, email, and many other technological programs (for ...

What is technology good for anyway? Why do we need technology? Some days I wish we could just go back to the good old days of handwriting and snail mail. Or a receive a telephone call ONLY while you're at home. I can remember the days of all of those things. There was something exciting about getting a letter in the mail from a friend who was traveling, instead of just bills! I have had to learn so much about technology and really only since I was about 15 or 16 years old. It has all just moved so fast!! Now we can receive a phone call or get a message (mail or text) anywhere. Children don't know how to handwrite, let alone read it. And having a computer or a smart phone is a necessity as opposed to a luxury. I often think of my grandparents and what they got to experience in the face of the technological era. It's amazing how far we've come. Technology has become so advanced, and every day we hear about something new. My technological experience is fairly minimal compa...