Category: Professional Learning

When Did Tech Become so Crucial?

- Hailey Harris 1 Comment

The apps, websites, and online platforms I frequent the most in my life vary depending on the day. However, I will chronically use online reading platforms, streaming or gaming apps, and Google Docs. I use a reading platform, such as Archive of Our Own (AO3) for leisure. I will frequent Disney+ and Netflix to watch TV shows and movies for leisure. I will also use YouTube for leisure and academic pursuits, as I will watch podcasts, documentaries, informational, and sketch comedy videos. I also have a variety of gaming apps on my phone that I rotate throughout the day when I get bored. Lastly, I frequent apps like Google Docs, Noteshelf 2 app, and  NaturalReader for academics. 

When it comes to staying organized for school, there are a few different apps I use for school. The first is Google Calendar, which I

Screenshot of Natural readers. Shows the different ways a reading can be added.
Screenshot of the different ways readings can be added to the app.

enjoy because it can be used on all devices. Secondly, I have been using the NaturalReader app on my phone, which is a text-to-speech app. This app does have in-app purchases to access all the features it has. However, there are certain things, like paying to have it read out documents with photos, that you can bypass using the camera scanner feature, as seen on the side. There is also a Chrome extension available for it. Lastly, I use Assignment Planner, a simple app that allows you to input the assignments and exams you have due. I like this app as each assignment is placed and colour-coordinated into its class and a widget is available for the home and lock screen to display assignments due soon. 

Screenshot of phone. Shows app named planner, with headers for exams, assignments, and classes
Screenshot of the planner app I use for my exams and assignments.

As I stated, Disney+ is an app I frequent, and currently the TV series 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Lonestar has become a distraction. Occasionally, I can have a video or TV show playing while I do school work and other chores and it does not distract me. On other days when this is not possible I leave my phone in another room while I spend a given amount of time on the activity I need to do. Other times, I will go to a new space to complete my work. AO3 has also become a distraction recently. For this distraction, I will set a timer or chapter limit before I start reading, or, again leave my phone in a different room. 

Throughout my time at university, I have had to learn how to set boundaries from my screen for school purposes as I would spend unhealthy amounts of time working on assignments and coursework. This has led me to create a boundary of not using technology for school before 10 am and after 8 pm, except for classes. I have also developed a strategy of breaking my assignments into steps, picking 2-3 steps to complete, then taking a small break by reading a chapter, watching TikTok, or doing a chore. For larger breaks, I will watch an episode, or make food.

Introducing Hailey

- Hailey Harris 1 Comment

Hello everyone!

My name is Hailey Harris and I am currently working towards my elementary education degree and certificate in inclusive education. I am from a small town in the Saskatoon area and moved to Regina last summer for work and school. I grew up with two loud, yet amazing younger sisters, a small dog with a huge personality, and two incredible parents who supported me in every way they could. Since the age of 3, I have participated in a variety of sports, though my passion was always for hockey.  This love for sports led me to start coaching figure skating at around 12. I have also coached hockey, softball, and volleyball. Besides this love for sports, I have always been an avid reader, typically reaching for mystery, fantasy, or historical fiction novels. 

Young child sitting on ice. They wear a hockey helmet, hockey gloves, a pink and white Oilers jersey, and red, pink, and white pants.
Me at the age of 3, skating

I have had some experience with different educational technology resources. The school I went to for elementary and high school was small but used multiple technology resources for students. They had a FastForWord program, in which students, such as myself, would be taken out of class to use computers for different educational games to help improve spelling and reading. The school also had iPads with a variety of apps for students to learn with, such as change-making apps. All of the classrooms in that school had SMART boards, in which teachers would put up presentations or incorporate them into their teaching in other ways. In high school, we had a technology course that required us to make videos and learn photography. They also used Google Classroom to provide lecture notes and for students to hand in their assignments. A few of my teachers would use quizzing apps, such as Kahoot. Throughout my university experience, I have used multiple educational technology sources such as Kahoot, Mentimeter, Google Classroom, and online discussion forums. 

Despite these experiences with educational technology, I have not had much, if any, experience with blogging. To be honest, I have never given blogging much thought as it has never seemed like something important to me. However, I am excited to try blogging this semester and am very curious to see if it is something I will enjoy! I hope you’ll enjoy following along as I try this platform of communication!