Online Schooling: The Road (Best) Not Taken?

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Moody_Forest,_Naturpark_Sauerland-Rothaargebirge.jpg I was part of the "agree" side for the debate topic "online schooling is detrimental to the academic and social development of students." Some of our main debate points were: Online schooling impedes socialization, which is particularly harmful for students in primary and elementary schoolOnline schooling is particularly troublesome for our at-risk students who …

Cultivating Digital Footprints in School: The Times They Are A-Changin’

https://www.geospatialworld.net/blogs/covid-19-when-a-crisis-becomes-a-catalyst-for-change/ The debate topic, "Educators and schools have a responsibility to help their students develop a digital footprint" definitely made me pause. I thought it was interesting that the topic was phrased so instead of, "Educators have a responsibility to teach their students about the implications of their digital footprint." If the debate topic was …

Summary of Learning

Photo by Ann H on Pexels.com Well, folks! That's it! As my first masters class, I want to say thank-you to everyone for being wonderful classmates. Throughout our 6 weeks together, I really did feel privileged to be in a class with so many intelligent, articulate and passionate people! I wish everyone nothing but the …

Cellphones in the Classroom: All Aboard! (Maniacal Laughter)

https://aminoapps.com/c/metal/page/item/ozzy-osbourne/PJjC_3IPzJGepr8aqMBJvJPDrw5jKe Cellphones in the classroom... the subject that plagues us all as educators... On this topic, we are all united in our mutual torment. I approach this topic in the spirit of Ozzy Osbourne: Make-up smudged, disheveled hair, and a slightly delirious glint in my eyes. Throughout my five years an educator, it has certainly …

Social Media and Childhood: “We Aren’t in Kansas, Anymore!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMhrpapLTZM This topic put an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach. "Ruining"?! It is certainly a strong word, possessing a sour note of finality. Has technology effectively "ruined" the childhoods of our youth? That's quite a statement to make and, if true, quite a burden to bear. Eeeek! Like 90% of the debate …

I Feel the Need… The Need For Spe-(lling and Basic Comprehension of Math Facts)

Currently, we live in a society in which technology has integrated itself into every aspect of our day. I can't even go to a public washroom anymore without the whoosh of the automatic flush startling the bejesus out of me. As I wrote in a previous blog post, I believe strongly that we need to …

Social Media Advocacy and Education: A Gray Area

The topic, "Teachers have a responsibility to use technology and social media to promote social justice" was certainly a heated one. People on both sides had passionate convictions; needless to say, at times, the debate got testy. There is one denominator connecting all educators: We all want what's best for our students. We want them …

Technology: The Good, The Bad and the (Un)Equitable?

Yes, my title is purposefully ambiguous. Truth is, I am still on the fence about whether technology has led to a more equitable society. Both sides made thorough and insightful arguments that left me scratching my head; I definitely came out of the debate with Ygritte's voice echoing in my head, "You know nothing, Jon …

To Tech, or Not To Tech…

(My makeshift attempt at obeying copyright) "To tech, or not to tech--that is the question:Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to sufferThe slings and arrows of a concrete classroomOr to take arms against a sea of stagnationAnd, by opposing, end them?Hamlet (...if he was a teacher, in the 21st century) It is the current "hot-button" …

Confessions of a Teacher Techie Queen

Okay, I know, I know... the title is a little cringe. But, please, hear me out... Flashback to Jan. 2021: After many painstaking and gruelling months of teaching amidst a pandemic, I needed a change. I was feeling burnt out and uninspired. On a whim, I decided to apply for a transfer to our online …