As someone who’s always been fascinated by the magical world of coding, I decided to take a dive into Scratch this week. My project is a whimsical game where a unicorn, guided by the mouse pointer, collects birthday items falling from the sky. Here, I’d like to share my experience creating this game, what I learned, and why I believe coding is a valuable skill for everyone to learn. Getting Started with Scratch Scratch is an innovative platform developed by the MIT Media Lab. It uses a simple drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to create interactive stories, games, and animations. This accessibility makes Scratch an excellent tool for both beginners and…

During my time in school, cyber safety was approached primarily through scare tactics. These methods aimed to instill fear and caution regarding internet use rather than fostering an understanding of responsible online behaviour. This approach included powerful, often distressing, stories and strict warnings about the permanence and legal ramifications of online actions. Scare Tactics in Cyber Safety Education One of the most significant examples of scare tactics used in my schooling was the Amanda Todd story. Amanda Todd, a young girl who tragically ended her life due to cyberbullying and exploitation, was a central figure in our cyber safety education. We were shown her YouTube video, where she narrated her…

Reimagining Education in the 21st Century Envisioning my future classroom, I see a dynamic environment where students are active participants in their learning. I envision integrating digital tools to foster engagement, creativity, and critical thinking among my students. From interactive online discussions to multimedia projects, technology will serve as a catalyst for student-driven exploration and knowledge creation. Beyond the confines of my own classroom, the implications of this cultural shift extend to schools at large. Traditional educational models, rooted in the passive consumption of information, are yielding to a more participatory approach, where students are empowered to co-create their knowledge. This necessitates a paradigm shift towards student-centred learning experiences that…

A Comprehensive Review and Classroom Application In the digital learning environment, tools that facilitate content creation and sharing are invaluable. This week, I explored Screencastify, a user-friendly screencasting tool that allows you to easily create high-quality videos. This review will provide an overview of Screencastify, basic instructions for its use, and insights on how it can be integrated into the classroom to meet various levels of the SAMR model. Overview of Screencastify Screencastify is a Chrome extension that enables users to record, edit, and share videos directly from their browser. It is particularly useful for creating tutorials and recording presentations. This tool is designed with simplicity in mind, making it…

Striking a Balance Between Productivity and Leisure Given the significant role that technology now plays in our day-to-day lives, it’s crucial to understand how it influences our daily routines, both personally and academically. As a university student, my daily tech habits involve a mix of tools for productivity and apps for leisure. Here’s a look into how technology shapes my days and the strategies I use to balance its benefits and distractions. Frequently Used Websites, Apps, and Online Platforms In my daily routine, I rely on several websites and apps. Here are the ones I use most frequently:                         While…

A Little About Me Hello! My name is Anna Van Winkoop and I was born in Calgary, Alberta. My mother, father and I moved to Kenosee Lake, Saskatchewan when I was 18 months old, and we have lived there ever since. I have one younger sister, who just completed her first year of engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, and we have 2 family pets; a 10-year-old beagle and a 3-year-old yellow lab. I am 21 years old and currently completing my fourth year of university studies. I was initially accepted at the University of Regina into the Faculty of Science with an undeclared major in Fall 2020. After completing…