Have you ever noticed that almost everywhere you go there are cameras? They are in schools, rinks, stores, in bigger cities even on the streets. Some people even have them in or on their houses. This summer we were in Toronto with my one brother and they have cameras and every time they would sense motion the sea gulls would make their noise which in turn would make the dog bark. When my brother would check his phone most of the time it was an animal that had been detected. In the evenings or late at night it was the family of racoons that live in the neighborhood. For someone that lives in a small town I was torn between understanding and thinking that this was a bit excessive. I understand wanting to be safe and know who is on your property but if every time an animal passes a camera it sets it off I think we need to re-examine the technology we are using.

Do you have a doorbell camera or a camera at your house? If so is it this sensitive? Do you find yourself constantly checking to see what or who might have been at your house?

At many rinks they now use a system called LiveBarn which allows those who have a subscription to watch practices, general skates, shinny and games. I have a difficult time with this in some ways as I do not think that it should be able to be viewed if it is a practice, general skate or shinny. I think that these are times in which it could easily be blacked out. I think that we have to still remember that there are people out there that are predators and they can see that there are certain kids that are always at the rink in this community for general skate or shinny they can become a target. It can also become a privacy issue depending on where the mic is located. I know that in our rink it is right above the score keepers box. I dislike being in there as anything that you say can be heard. You can also hear the coaches talking from time to time.

So, when is the use of technology in this form too much? Are there ways in which it could be limited? Does your rink use LiveBarn? If so is it on all the time?

At the school we had cameras installed because of high school kids coming and vandalizing our school yard. After they were installed we not only notified our school families but also had the high school let their students know that there were now cameras. The RCMP were also notified. I had to also remind my staff that these cameras are present as when you are out on supervision they see and hear what you are talking about. It is shocking at how the simple presence of them has deterred the students that we had at our school causing all of the issues from continuing to do this. I am glad that even in Grade 12 they want to come and play basketball at the school in the evenings and that we have lights so that they can do this. I just expect for them to be respectful and to use common sense and not be driving all over the school yard, breaking glass and drinking.

Does your school have cameras? Do you find them beneficial or a hindrance? If your school does not have do you think that the presence of them would be beneficial?

I 100% understand that people want their privacy but I also think that we are living in a day and age where there are places that we go in which we should expect that we are going to be on camera whether we like it or not.

This week I have been working on my Content Catalyst presentation and it is all about Lifelong Learners and taking our learning beyond the classroom. It made me think of the age old saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” This then made me think of my husband who is also a teacher. He teaches at the high school (Industrial Arts and Social and now a Grade 12 Math class). Anyways, he and I are on total different ends of the teaching spectrum. I teach Kindergarten and he teaches high school kids. I laugh as he had to move classrooms over the summer and he was flustered as he wasn’t going to have the same whiteboard space or a screen to put his projector notes onto. I don’t use a lot of technology in my Kindergarten room but if I was doing notes I would not be using a projector. We have had to spend some evenings having his notes re-done so that they can be digitalized. As he still is a better two finger typer I often end up with the task of doing this as I can type without looking at my fingers or what I am typing.

So, what does this have to do with being a lifelong learner well both my husband and I are learning how to adjust to the times and move forward with technology even if it is something that we do not fully understand. I have taken a few different digital classes and even have used technology to teach myself how to embroider, crochet, do alcohol painting, resin work and a few other things. I am the type of person that doesn’t sit still easily I like to be busy and creative. I find that if I am busy my brain has an easier time calming down at the end of the day.

Even though I am not super comfortable with technology I am willing to learn how it works, how it can benefit those around me and how we can use it in a meaningful way. My one son struggles with reading so we have learnt how to use the talk to text and the different apps that will read to you. He is a very visual and auditory learner so we use technology to help him to be successful. This has been a large learning curve for my husband and I but we are all working together and teaching one another what we are learning. These skills are skills that my son will be able to take out into the workforce.

As a family we pride ourselves in always striving to learn new things. During COVID my one son taught himself to goose/duck call. This was hours of listening to videos and trying out his new skill in the house because it was winter. I found it annoying but, my husband bless his heart said it was a skill that could come in handy. Fast forward to the fall and it did come in handy.

Both of my sons use technology to teach themselves new skills whether it is for hunting, fishing, baseball, hockey, etc. They have found that they are able to learn from watching videos and can develop skills that they didn’t have before or can perfect skills that they needed to work on.

We are never too old to learn new things and it is when we are learning new things that we are able to grow and develop as an individual. I look forward to going to school and having my students and the other students at the school teaching me new things. I think that it is very important that we take the time to learn from one another.

What is something that you would like to learn how to do? Is there a reason why you haven’t taken the steps to try and learn it? Is it a skill that you could use technology to help you be able to do?

I think my next skill I am going to teach myself how to do will be either rug hooking or felting. I sometimes think maybe I was born in the wrong era. I love all the old hand skills that people did.

This week in class Chris, Anna and Lisa did a great job of explaining what ‘Fake News’ is and how we can distinguish if what we are reading is legitimate or not. I found it very interesting that the very next morning I woke to a Facebook Message from one of my older brothers. It was telling all of the family that we need to stop using TikTok because Trudeau is banning it. “Trudeau Government Bans TikTok from Operating in Canada – but Canadians can still use it” I found the title alone very shocking and that it had a mixed message. The article is very selective on what information that they share. The one reason it states that they are shutting the two Canadian TikTok locations down is national security and that there are claims that TikTok users data could be shared with the Chinese Government.

I knew that I needed to look more into this as one article doesn’t mean that something is legit. I found a few more articles: “What the federal ban on TikTok’s Canadian operations means for you” this article is much the same as the first but goes into a bit more detail. They discuss the fact that many jobs will be lost with the closing of these two locations. It also discusses how data can be shared with China and we wouldn’t know until it was too late. Another article “Canada orders shutdown of TikTok’s Canadian business, app access to continue” discusses many of the same topics. It gets a little more into detail about the fact that it was a National Security risk that was being reviewed and was related to ByteDance Ltd’s which is the parent company of TikTok based out of China.

The more articles you read the more you become confused but also fully engaged in what this could mean for those that use TikTok. I also started looking for videos and found a number: “Canada bans TikTok Business Operations” , “Should TikTok be banned in Canada“, “Is a ban next?” , and “TikTok ban in Canada” among many others. Some of these videos are ones that make you think while others are poking fun at the entire issue. As of right now this is something that is still up to each individual user. We all have the responsibility to look into the apps that we are putting on our phones, tablets, iPad, etc. We need to ensure that we are looking into all the information about the app so that we can decide for ourselves if it is one that we want to use or not.

What are your thoughts on this ‘ban’ of TikTok? Are you going to continue using it if you have it? Does this make a difference to you or will it make a difference for you when deciding to add apps to your devices?

The TedTalk that Kelsey shared entitled ‘The Importance of Teaching Digital Literacy Skills‘ had some great points for not only educators but parents to ponder and think about. She defines “Critical Thinking: The intellectual disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, and applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to believe and action.” She shared the 6 Central Skills of Critical Thinking which incorporates: Interpretation, Analysis, Evaluation, Inference, Explanation and Self-Regulation. If we break this down more we can see what each entails and its importance to us as we are educating our youth about digital literacy and how to think critically and not just believe everything that they see or hear.

Interpretation: How you understand and explain what information you encounter

Analysis: Finding the connection or relationship between different pieces of information and what they are meant to or what they do convey

Evaluation: The act of judging how credible someone and the information they present is.

Inference: Using information to reason and come up with your own rational conclusions.

The last two skills are very important as they involve us being able to reflect on our own beliefs and having the ability to change them. Without our beliefs can remain stagnant which does not allow for an individual to move forward.

Explanation: Being able to explain your conclusions and how you deduced them from the information you have encountered

Self-Regulation: Being able to observe your beliefs and change/or correct your views.

When we apply these to all areas of our lives we are able to see when we are being influenced and our beliefs are being tested. Not all ideas are good, nor harmful and negative. We need to have the skills to be able to know the difference. It is through questioning all the things that we see, read and hear that we can come up with our own conclusions. We can determine for ourselves if they align with our beliefs or not. She finished off with a list of questions for us to ask ourselves as we are taking part and looking at different areas of our lives.

I found myself looking back at things that I have read, seen and heard and went through the 6 Central Skills for Critical Thinking. It helped me to re-think some of my own beliefs and how I need to be more open to taking a critical look at them and see if the information that I have is reliable or if I am just falling prey to the age old story of believing what you see and hear.

I know that these are skills that I am going to teach my own children and will share with my staff. The more that we are able to educate our youth and prepare them to transition from Elementary school to High School to Post Secondary or Work. The better that we will be.

The Content Catalyst readings this week that Miranda, Jenni, and Allysia shared had many commonalities that made me think about how I can change the way I teach to be more 21st-century.

Miranda’s article “Lessons that Build Students Media and News Literacy” was fascinating and posed a few questions for me. Are we educators only interested in teaching the same thing year after year? Why are we afraid to add technology to our teaching? The Common Sense digital citizenship curriculum is something that I am going to share with my teachers as it gives everyone a starting point as to how to educate our students and help them to think critically when they see something online. Instead of us being scared and apprehensive about using technology we should be using it and teaching our students how to use it and to not take things at face value. That there are benefits from looking at reliable sources and not just taking the very first website that you come across as being the best and having all the correct answers. I like the three philosophies that were shared in the article as they truly break down into easy steps what we are trying to do. The lesson ideas are also useful especially when it is Digital Literacy and Citizenship week.

Jenni’s article, ‘Embed Digital Citizenship in All Subject Areas‘, was an eye-opener. It made me realize the practicality and importance of this approach for educators. I really liked how it talked about teaching empathy, social responsibility and relationship-building and figuring out how to make this something that is not only done in our everyday lives but also our online lives. I know that I have struggled how to incorporate digital citizenship teachings into my daily teachings in a meaningful way that isn’t taking away from the curriculum I am mandated to teach. I liked how this gave ideas of how to add onto the outcomes. I thought that this was meaningful as it isn’t adding onto the already full plates of educators but making a simple little tweak so that this is incorporated in a meaningful way. The suggestions given would also easily be adapted for a variety to grade levels.

The final article that Allysia shared ‘How to Infuse Digital Literacy Throughout the Curriculum‘ gives some good ways in which we can implement the use of digital literacy throughout all curriculum areas. Overcoming our fear of trying something new and stepping out of our comfort zone is the first step. This approach not only shows our students that learning is a lifelong journey but also gives them the chance to take on the role of the ‘teacher’. This article has us working on educating our students at vetting the information that they are finding to help and determine if it is material that has merit or not. We need to start educating our students about copyright and how to properly credit information that we are using. I liked the ideas of having the students be creative and using digital platforms to do so as this is an area in which many students excel and it is something that they could teach their teachers about. If they are in need they can use YouTube or an online blog to help and teach them what they are wanting to learn. As in Jenni’s article Allysia’s also talks about how it can easily be incorporated across curriculums and done in a meaningful way. Digital citizenship and literacy doesn’t have to be an add onto what we are already doing. We can simply incorporate it into our daily teaching.

Are there ways in which you are already doing this? If so what are they and do you feel that they add more work to your day or is it something that has become a part of your daily routine?

I found Brittany’s article, “The Illusion of Self in the Digital Age: Unraveling Our Multiple Identities,” very interesting. It made me rethink how I interact with ‘people’ online. Am I being my authentic, genuine self or a persona of myself in the digital world? I liked how the article talks about the digital realm as a place for us to reimagine our identities. It gives us the opportunity to reinvent ourselves with each interaction. It used to be very straightforward regarding the narrative of our lives, but now, this is an interwoven aspect that dives in and out of the virtual and real world.

I have always found it weird how people can feel such a deep connection to people online even though they have never met them. For individuals that struggle with forming relationships this makes this even more difficult. Now they cannot differentiate between genuine relationships and digital acquaintances.

This quote from the article keeps coming back to me as I think of how to help students discover who they are and who they want to be. “And in this dance of identities, let’s not forget the wise words of Socrates: “Know thyself.” Perhaps, in today’s intricate web of realities, it’s more fitting to say, “Know thyselves.” (Liouane, K., 2023, p. 5)

Josh shared this TedTalk, “Social Media and Teen Identity,” which brought to light the profound impact of social media on teenagers’ identity. In a world where Social Media sets the trends, students are in constant disarray as phrases, clothing trends, etc. always change. Teenagers are already trying to fit into the world in which they live. Now on top of that they are also trying to fit into the digital world. Teenagers struggle with identity and now are having to have multiple identities in order to fit in in a variety of locations.

It is not that social media is a negative tool it is that there is an obsession that individuals develop overtime with interactions with others with similar interests. This takes them away from the real world and real world issues an into a world of fantasy and one in which they are not always able to navigate in a true and meaningful way. They become caught up in getting ‘LIKES’ and ‘FOLLOWERS’ and having others comment on their posts. They also react to comments that others have made and may not fully understand the context in which the comments are made. It is a difficult time for all of us to navigate but as adults our brains are fully developed and are not as influenced and molded by what we see, read, watch and hear. Our youth of today are living in a world of sensory overload and have a difficult time knowing when, how and why they need to learn ways in which to tune out and take a step back from technology.

Josh spoke in his video overview of how we try to instill morals, values and belief systems in our families but this is difficult at times when you are trying to compete with technology. The youth of today have a shortened attention span and look for instant gratification. As a mom sometimes I wonder if I would be able to better communicate with my children if I was in influencer? Would they listen to me more or be embarrassed by me? I think I would have a better chance of getting through to other children then my own.

Do you feel that you wear multiple masks when you are online? Do you have different personas that you exemplify depending on who you are interacting with? How do we help our youth develop healthy personal identities?

When reading Mike Ribble’s Nine Themes of Digital Citizenship, #6 really spoke to me. I think part of the reason it spoke to me is that I see how attached our youth are to their cell phones and other electronic devices. It is as if they are lost if they do not have it with them, and some seem to struggle even to function.

Youth seem to communicate only through these devices and have a difficult time holding a real conversation with another person. I know that in my household I become frustrated as I am seeing the disconnect between my teenage son and the family. He wants his independence but is physically disconnected and becomes upset when you ask for his phone to be put away or for him to hold a conversation.

This links back to my last post about mental health. I feel that with students living in this digital world and not interacting socially with their peers in a meaningful way that society is adding to the mental health of our students and how they ‘buy’ into everything that they see on their screens.

Common Sense Media has developed some guides in which to help navigate this topic. This article helps parents have some of the tough questions about technology use with their children answered.

Common Sense Media also has sites for educators. Digital Well-Being Lessons for Grade K-12 there are a number of lessons to help teach students how to socialize in a meaningful way, how to disconnect from technology, developing positive tech habits and so many more. They are broken into elementary, middle and high school. The lessons are easy to follow and even have a little video to share with the students. They would be easy enough to send parts home to share with the families.

Students need to be educated on how to have a balanced life and now with the addition of technology so easily at their disposal we need to teach them how to have a balance with this as well. Everyone needs human contact and we need to teach our children how to find a balance between screen time and other activities.

How do you do this in your household? Are their suggestions you have that have been useful or ones that didn’t work at all?

This past week, I have been doing Macbeth homework with my son in Grade 10. I will not lie; I wasn’t thrilled when we started this, as I struggle to read it in a way that isn’t choppy and confusing. After talking with the teacher, he gave us a site that we could listen to and answer the questions. This took this experience from a not-fun one to an enjoyable one. Due to reading Shakespeare, I decided to twist some of his wording.

Now, onto the part of being broken or unbroken. I am going to be very brutally honest and vulnerable with what I share. In the last 14 years, I have experienced a wide variety of different losses, traumas, and difficult times. I have worked hard at holding it together for everyone around me in the world. I have been the shoulder to cry on and would bury my emotions in order to help those I care about.

I have allowed myself only a little time to deal with my own grief. I do not want to open wounds that are partially healed but would rather continue on the road that I am on.

So, here are a few of the things I have been dealing with:

1. My husband had brain surgery 14 years ago (our oldest was 9.5 months old)
2. Numerous deaths of loved ones: My dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles, close friend, our pet dog, etc.
3. Going from a teacher to Principal of a school. Not having my dad to talk to during difficult times.
4. Having a teenager and learning to navigate that journey.
5. The list goes on and on…

Since the beginning of the year I have been feeling that I am more broken than not. I have questioned if I can get back to the place I was before. It has taken courage on my part to reach out to family and co-workers to ask for them to send positive vibes, prayers and thoughts my way as I navigate through this difficult time. I started to open up to a small group of people.

This past work I was given a number of different signs that things were about to change and if I was willing to accept the help I could begin to truly mend my broken heart.

The first of the signs was a Facebook message in our family chat group from my one older brother. He talked about how important mental health is and how so many have struggled with this since COVID. He shared how if any of us needed someone to talk to that he was always there for us and would be an ear to listen. He also shared numbers and websites for us.

1. Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Text 686868.
2. Kids Help Phone Website
3. Getting Therapy or Pay Rent? (Article)
   1. This article opened my eyes to everything that I am dealing with and how there needs to be a change in our mindset towards taking care of our mental health

The second sign was that there was a a guest speaker at the high school and she also did a presentation in the evening for the community. Her name is Tiff Carson and she is a former resident for Shaunavon. She is an author, podcast host, and speaker. She talks about grieve and addiction and how to heal. I went and listened to her presentation and came away feeling that the load I was carrying was a little lighter. She is the author of Dancing in the Rain. One big take away I had from Tiff’s presentation is that we need to stop avoiding and start talking. Nothing gets better when we sweep it under the rug.

The third was that I had seen at the school posters and business cards to family counselling. I decided to make a call and take the first step towards my own healing. I went and at the beginning the marks that I gave myself were 2-3’s and when I was done I was a 9. I felt at peace and like I was now on the journey towards my own healing.

If you are to look up ‘Mental Health Services in Saskatchewan‘ this is the first link that shows up. It is through the Government of Saskatchewan.

I also looked up 211 Saskatchewan as this had been shared with me as a resource to find supports for my journey. This is both a phone number and a website which will help you to find services near you to help you on your mental health journey.

We need to change the stigma about seeking help and going to talk to someone. It does not make a person weak to seek help. I want to encourage each of you to take care of yourself and your health and to not be afraid to ask for help if you are in need.

In the past I have encouraged my staff and friends to take care of themselves. I knew that I needed to do this for myself and my family but felt guilty as it meant that I wasn’t going to be able to be at the school and do my job. I felt that I was letting people down. A co-worker spoke to me as not only a colleague but also a friend and encouraged me to take two days so that I could deal with my mental health and I could take care of my family and to not worry about school as they could take care of everyone there.

Are there other resources, sites, phone numbers that you think would be beneficial for people to access? Is there are way that we can help and change the stigma behind mental health?

Know that no matter what there are people out there that care about you and want the best for you. Find ways in which you can work through your stress, loss and lived experiences. This can be through journaling, practicing your breathing, talking to someone you trust, putting a name to your situation, meditation, spending time outside, doing something creative and so many others.  (When I am the most stressed I take out activities in which I am able to be creative: crocheting, painting, drawing, embroidery, sewing, resin work, etc. this helps me to become regrounded)

Here is to putting the pieces of my broken self back together and becoming unbroken once again. I know that in order for me to be able to fully help those around me I need to first take care of myself. Please make sure that you are each putting aside a little bit of time each day for yourself. I want the best for each of you and your families!

I decided to try my hand with AI tools and see what they could do. I asked them to write a blog for me. I knew there would be things in the blog that I would agree with and others I would not. I will add my own ideas where needed in italics.  Before we start I will say that I might be what some may consider a bit old school when it comes to teaching in my Kindergarten class. I like to sing songs, dance, rhyme, do science experiments, do art and all of the other good stuff. I am slowly seeing that there are times in which adding technology is beneficial. Ex: teaching Science and letting the students see the life cycle of a chicken. After we can look into hatching our own chickens in the class but they would have a basic understanding.

I asked ChatGPT to: Write a blog post about the benefits of using technology in a Kindergarten classroom

ChatGPT said:

The Benefits of Using Technology in a Kindergarten Classroom

In today’s digital age, technology plays an integral role in education. While some may think that introducing technology in a Kindergarten classroom might be premature, research and practice demonstrate that when used appropriately, technology can enhance learning experiences for young children. Let’s explore the benefits of integrating technology into a Kindergarten setting.

1. Enhanced Learning through Interactive Tools

Children are naturally curious and engaged by visual and interactive experiences. Educational apps, interactive whiteboards, and tablets can capture their attention in ways that traditional teaching methods sometimes can’t. With the help of technology, learning becomes fun and engaging. For example, children can practice their ABCs with vibrant animations or play games that teach them to count, reinforcing essential skills in an enjoyable way.

Interactive tools also allow children to learn at their own pace. Programs can adapt to individual learning needs, offering more challenges to advanced learners while providing additional support to those who need it. This personalized approach is one of the most significant advantages of technology in early education.

Agree: The use of these interactive tools and apps is engaging and interactive and can be personalized for our students.

Question: Where are all the devices coming from? Who is making the adaptations for each student and ensuring they are working at their level? Who is making sure that they are doing what they are supposed to be doing on the apps and that they aren’t playing other games?

2. Development of Digital Literacy

In a world where technology is ubiquitous, early exposure to digital tools helps children develop foundational skills that they’ll use for the rest of their lives. Kindergarten students can learn basic skills like navigating a touchscreen, typing, or using a mouse, all of which will serve them as they progress through their academic and personal lives.

These early interactions with technology also help children develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills. For example, when using educational software, children must figure out how to move from one level to the next or solve puzzles to unlock new content, fostering cognitive growth and resilience.

Agree: Digital literacy does teach lifelong fundamental skills that will be useful to students as they age in a technology-filled world.

Disagree: Why is it the schools’ responsibility to teach these skills to the students and not the families? If families want their children to learn how to do these things, can’t they teach them at home, and can’t the educators focus on teaching what is already in our curriculum without adding more to it?

Question: Could this be a home/school collaboration? Do most students who come to school are already exposed to technology? What is our end goal with students using technology in the classroom?

3. Promotes Collaboration and Social Skills

Many tech-based activities are designed to be collaborative, encouraging children to work together. Kindergarten students can learn essential social skills, such as sharing, turn-taking, and communicating with their peers, by engaging in group activities using technology. Interactive whiteboards and digital storybooks are excellent tools for group reading sessions, allowing students to actively participate and interact with one another.

Additionally, using technology in collaborative projects helps children develop a sense of teamwork, which is crucial as they grow older and work on more complex tasks that require group effort.

Disagree: Interactive play teaches these essential social skills in real-life situations. Building a tower of blocks develops a sense of teamwork. When students are playing at different centers, they are problem-solving, having conversations, thinking critically, and having real interactions with one another.

Question: Why do we need technology to teach these skills? Why can’t we let children just be children, play, and use their own imaginations? Why is there a focus on technology but not on spending time outside and finding a connection to earth?

4. Support for Diverse Learning Needs

One of the most powerful benefits of technology is its ability to cater to diverse learners. In a Kindergarten classroom, children may have different learning styles, abilities, and challenges. Technology offers a variety of formats—audio, visual, kinesthetic—that can support all types of learners.

For children with special needs, assistive technologies can provide tremendous support. Text-to-speech programs, visual aids, and adaptive learning apps make it easier for students with disabilities to access and engage with the curriculum, ensuring that every child has an equal opportunity to succeed.

Agree: I do believe that there can be a time, place, and reason to use technology in a Kindergarten classroom. Technology can have some amazing benefits for students with diverse needs. It can level the playing field for them and their interactions with their classmates.

Question: Will students become dependent on these devices and not try them on their own? Do we need to decide when to use and not to use the devices, even with our students with diverse needs?

5. Encouraging Creativity and Self-Expression

Technology provides a platform for young children to express their creativity in ways that were previously unimaginable. Drawing apps, digital storytelling tools, and video projects allow Kindergarten students to create their own stories, art, and music. These activities foster a sense of pride and accomplishment, as children can see their ideas brought to life on the screen.

By offering children opportunities to experiment and explore creatively, technology helps them develop critical skills like innovation, imagination, and independent thinking.

Agree: I see how the use of technology allows for new chances for creativity in a new and exciting way. I also like that it allows teachers who might not be musical to incorporate music in the classroom in a meaningful way.

Question: Are we giving up basic hand and paper skills for technology? Are we going to quit drawing/painting and do it all digitally? Does this allow students the same learning when there isn’t an extra chance for exploration? (mixing paint and you accidentally spill it and mix in an extra color)

6. Real-Time Feedback and Progress Tracking

One of the advantages of using technology in the classroom is the ability to provide immediate feedback. Educational apps often give real-time responses to children’s work, allowing them to quickly see whether they’ve answered correctly or need to try again. This instant feedback helps reinforce learning and encourages children to persist with challenging tasks.

In addition, teachers can use technology to track each child’s progress. Many apps and platforms generate data on student performance, which can help educators identify areas where students may need extra help or areas where they excel. This data-driven approach allows for more targeted and effective teaching.

Disagree: Instant feedback is not how the world works. We must teach our students how to be patient and deal with a healthy amount of stress and anxiety.

Question: Isn’t instant gratification why people enjoy social media? Are we teaching students at an earlier age that it is important to get an instant reaction from those around us? Is this healthy for them?

7. Parental Involvement and Communication

Technology not only benefits students and teachers but also enhances communication with parents. Digital platforms can keep parents informed about their child’s progress, share class updates, and offer insights into what their children are learning. Some apps allow parents to view their child’s work, follow along with lessons, and even contribute to their education at home, fostering a stronger connection between the classroom and home life.

Agree: Technology speeds up communication and allows for remote access. Parents can also check on their students’ progress on the go.

Disagree: Why are we not making phone calls to parents? We should be taking time to form real, meaningful relationships with our students’ families, showing them that they are a very important part of their child’s education and an integral part of the learning team.

Question: What would happen if we did take time to make one ‘sunshine’ call per student per year?

Conclusion

While it’s important to balance screen time with hands-on, tactile experiences, the thoughtful integration of technology in a Kindergarten classroom can greatly enhance the learning environment. From boosting engagement and collaboration to supporting diverse learners and fostering creativity, technology is a powerful tool that, when used appropriately, can lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning.

The key is ensuring that technology is used as a supplement to traditional teaching, not a replacement. With careful planning and intentional use, it can become an invaluable asset in early childhood education.

I think it is very important that as we add technology, we do not forget the importance of so many of the other traditional teaching methods we already use in a Kindergarten classroom.

What are your thoughts on technology in a Kindergarten classroom? If you teach in the younger grades what are some apps that you would highly recommend that a teacher in these grades tries out? 

After reading the articles last week, I had a gut-wrenching feeling that I was not doing enough to prepare my sons for using Social Media responsibly and maturely.

The article “I’m 14, and I Quit Social Media” had me thinking about how, as parents, we might think that the picture we are posting is not a big deal, but we do not think of how our child might feel when they are older, and people are still sharing the image. Why do we think it is our right to share photos of our children on Social Media? If there was a picture of us in the same situation, would we want it posted? These are things that I have thought for a long time but this article hit home and reminded me that I have to be responsible and ensure that the Digital Footprint that I am starting for my children is a positive one.

This made me also think of how there are pictures of me from my youth that I would be mortified if they were out on Social Media for everyone to see. We need to find a balance between sharing and oversharing. This video from this weeks discussion really spoke to me ‘Oversharing: Think Before You Post‘. I have really shied away from sharing on Social Media especially when it comes to my kids.

This brings me to this weeks discussion on Digital Citizenship. This is something that I struggle a bit with as I teach Kindergarten. I use very little technology in my classroom as I feel that these young kids have enough screen time at home. I do believe that this is important to teach our students but, I am unsure of when or what age is the best to start this. I also think that it is one more thing that is being added to the plate of educators to teach students and is being taken off of the plate of parents.

At school this week we had to deal with students using videos/images that they had taken of a classmate at their house as blackmail. To be proactive and to help in teaching our students we have asked the

Do you feel that some parents are lacking the tools to teach their kids about digital citizenship? Is this something that families would benefit having an information night on? How can we teach digital citizenship to very young students in a meaningful way?