This semester has been a wonderful one, full of discourse and discovery, and I really enjoyed delving into issues surrounding technology and the classroom. I also had to stretch myself, both with getting back into blogging, but especially with the online debate, and with putting together this summary of learning. I have never created a video like this; I contributed to our debate, obviously, but I didn’t do the actual piecing together of the video. So I’m quite proud of how…
This week was a fun one, if only because this is one topic that I’m really not sure about. And the reason for that? AI at this level is so new, that we honestly don’t have the information needed yet to determine what the impact is going to be on students and education. Is AI going to revolutionize education? I think that’s a given. We already have students accessing these different sites and generators, and teachers scrambling to try and…
There is no doubt that there are a number of social justice issues that are worthy of our attention and promotion. I don’t think anyone would argue that point. The question for this week’s debate looked at whether or not we, as educators, have a responsibility to use technology and social media to promote different social justice issues within the classroom. Amanda and Jacquie started us off with a look at why teachers should talk about and promote social justice…
There are times when we’re discussing different issues, whether or not teachers have a role in helping with this or that, that I feel myself almost being weighed down by the growing list of expectations we have on top of teaching the curriculum. But with this particular issue, helping students develop a digital footprint, I feel like it’s something we have already started to take on. Part of our job is making connections with these kids, helping them to figure…
If I had to pick a side for this particular debate, or select who “won”, I honestly don’t think I’d be able to. Kennedy & Ummey and Jeff & Graeme both presented very valid and persuasive arguments, and there are aspects from each side that I agree with! And really, I feel like there are two separate issues at hand here. One is the actual ability to access the internet, and different technological devices, and in that particular issue, I…
This is my week to shine! Ok, in all honesty, I do not enjoy presentations of any kind to peers or colleagues, so I was both nervous for the presentation, and very happy once we were done! And then I took a couple of days off to relax, and here I am wrapping up a written glimpse into our research, and my own take on this topic. Brendon and I were on the “Disagree” side of the debate prompt: Social…
With the start of our class debates, we are beginning to take a closer look at some of the issues that have been long debated in schools and classrooms. Our first debate looked at whether or not the use of technology in classrooms enhances learning, and I will admit right now, I was on the agree side from the start. I don’t think it’s a blanket statement – we can’t afford to be naive enough to believe any of these…
This week’s prompt, what role should schools play in supporting students in the development of their digital identities, feels so complex. And looking at it through the lens of a high school teacher, I feel like, by the time they get to us, they are already so deep into social media and putting things on the internet that it’s very much like closing the barn door after the horses have bolted. Having said that, I also feel like, if we…
I find one of the hardest things about teaching high school ELA isn’t bringing tech into the classroom (although booking laptop carts can be a cutthroat challenge, let me tell you!) – no, students are familiar with tech. They love tech. They’re practically addicted, in some cases. I find the real challenge is responsible and appropriate usage of said tech. This is the first generation really growing up with early and near-constant access to different forms of technology, and we’re…
Hello! It’s been a long time since I blogged, so it might take me a bit to get back into it. A bit about me to start – my name is Brittany, and I’m a high school ELA teacher with Saskatoon Public Schools. I received a B.A. in English from the U of S, and took part in the B.E.A.D. program at the U of R when I couldn’t figure out what else to do with an English degree. Of…