Debating the role of technology in creating a more equitable society is both a challenging and enlightening experience. Recently, I found myself on the “agree” side of this debate, tasked with advocating for the equitable use of technology in education. This was no easy feat, especially considering the formidable arguments the “disagree” side presented, highlighting the complexities and pitfalls associated with technology integration. Nevertheless, the discussion underscored the crucial role technology could play in levelling the educational playing field when implemented thoughtfully and inclusively. The Agree Side: Advocating for Equity Through Technology In preparing for the debate, I drew extensively from several vital readings. Suzanne K. Damarin’s (2000) article, “The…
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AI in Education: Revolutionizing Learning or Risking the Future?
The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education has sparked a fervent and heated debate among educators, technologists, and policymakers. In a live, well-formatted debate, proponents argued that AI will bring about unprecedented improvements, while critics cautioned against potential risks. This blog post delves into both sides of the debate, examining key arguments and evidence from various sources and providing in-classroom examples of effective AI integration. This is a sensitive and uncharted territory for many of my peers, making the discussion all the more engaging and critical. The Optimistic Perspective: Transforming Education AI in Education 4.0 Advocates for AI in education often point to the concept of Education 4.0, a…
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The Great Debate on Technology in the Classroom
DEBATE #1: Technology and its ability to enhance learning In my recent educational technology class, we had an insightful and engaging debate on whether technology in the classroom enhances learning. My classmates presented their arguments using various scholarly articles, making the discussion well-structured and informative. Here’s a recap of some key points made during the debate and my reflections on the overall experience. Pro-Technology Arguments 1. Enhanced Engagement and Accessibility: Proponents of technology in the classroom argued that digital tools significantly enhance student engagement and accessibility. For instance, mobile technology allows students to access educational content anytime and anywhere, making learning more flexible and engaging. Straker et al. (2018) found…
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Tech-Enhanced Teaching: A Day in the Life of a Connected Educator
Personal Life In my personal life, I start the day by checking social media apps like Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. These platforms help me stay connected with friends and family, follow trends, and get inspiration for creative projects. I often use Canva to design posters, social media posts, and other graphics, which helps me personally and professionally. Whether sharing moments on Instagram stories or creating engaging content for TikTok, these apps are a significant part of my daily routine. I also use X, formerly Twitter, to stay engaged in the Education community, where I share insights, learn from others, and keep up with the latest trends and discussions. Teaching…
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Foundations & Pre-Calc 10 Unit Plan
In ECS 495, I was able to practice my unit planning skills. This was great because it has been quite some time due to my maternity leave. I am always open to feedback because I am constantly trying to mould and shape my delivery. I am currently trying to transition to a Universal Design for Learning approach. If you have any information or feedback, please let me know in the comments below. The unit plan itself is from the Saskatchewan curriculum and textbook. This unit would typically be 7 lessons but likely 14 classes. I have only shared three of those seven lessons. I hope that you gain something from…
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So What? Now What?
In ECS 495, I was also able to utilize many resources via podcast and/or YouTube. Sometimes I don’t always thrive in auditory learning however, as I become older, I am finding that I am a more well-rounded learner so I really enjoyed listening to peoples’ experiences and thoughts around the topics. Colinda Clyne uses the quote, “so what? Now what?” in her Anti-Racist Educator Reads podcast. Our professor allowed us to use this type of reflection after listening to some podcasts. I utilized podcasting to respond using the “What? So What? Now what?” model to fulfill this portion of the course. This model focuses on breaking up reflection into meaningful…
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The Ultimate Toolkit
In this blog post, I will review several of the resources I have come across that I find very helpful as far as moving towards the “ultimate” classroom. I was challenged to look through an Education course this semester to look further into Math resources but also First Nations and Indigenous ways of knowing and bringing that knowledge to my classroom. Do you like what I have found? Click on the titles of the resources and check them out! Check out my brief breakdown of those below: Making Math Moments That Matter This is a jam-packed resource as far as Math resources go. This is a great tool to being…
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Seven Fallen Feathers
As a learner, I felt that I had a very lacking education when it came to learning about First Nations people and their history as it relates to the European settlers. I had the opportunity this semester to listen to the audiobook for Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga. I also was given guided questions for each chapter and responded accordingly. We were given the option of a “Quick Write” or “Quick Draw”. As you can see, I did a combination of both. The pictures are in correspondence to the chapter reading and may or may not have connection to the writing portion. PLEASE READ: this is a reminder that…
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Learning by Teaching Others
Today is August 17 in 2021. I am currently enrolled at the University of Regina in ECS 495 taught by Vivian Gauvin. She has been so flexible to ensure that I get what I need from this course. A part of this flexibility was allowing me to share my knowledge with my small group of peers. I recently took a course from Katia Hildebrandt named EDTC 300. It had a large focus on Digital Citizenship and use of Educational Technology in the classroom. I was able to define digital citizenship and its nine elements as per Mike Ribble, connect this information to curricula via the Saskatchewan document created by Alec…
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A Penny for my Contributions
Hi again, and welcome to, the final blog post for EDTC 300. For this post, we were asked to compile some examples of how I contributed to my classmates’ and others’ learning. I consider myself a lifelong learner and through this, I can share new information to enhance others’ learning. Learning is not a one-sided experience for me; it is important that I learn from others the same amount as others learn from me. So, not only am I learning but I also like to focus on supporting those who are doing the same. This is what we were able to experience during EDTC 300. We experienced this by creating…