Blog Post #1:

“I look up, and I am not interested” (01:51). This line in “Most Likely to Succeed” broke my heart because I truly believe learning should be interesting. Children should want to learn because it’s fun and novel. School should be this beautiful place that allows children to experience the privilege of learning incredible things that shift their worldviews. However, something has happened where school is no longer fun or interesting for many students. Something is wrong with our school system if students look up and our bored. If we don’t want to change this then we are failing the future.

In the film I did enjoy seeing a school actually implementing new and innovative ways and methods to teach. I liked and respected High Tech High, the school in the movie, philosophy and how they wanted their students to learn independently, be creative, and think hard about real-life problems. One thing I thought was cool was that this way of learning helps kids prepare for jobs that don’t even exist yet. There might be different kinds of jobs in the future, and we need to make sure students know how to think in new and smart ways. This helps them not fall behind and be ready for new technology.  We can’t be sure what’s the best way to teach, but it seems like trying new things and keeping up with how the world is changing is a good idea.

Blog Post #2:

This week, we had the opportunity to hear Jesse Miller discuss various aspects of teachers and technology. One topic that grabbed my attention was the professionalism of teachers on the web and their online presence.

Initially, I believed I should not be too concerned about this topic since I don’t post much or use many social media platforms. However, after listening to Jesse Miller’s presentation, I decided to google myself to see what would happen. I anticipated finding my Instagram and Facebook pages since they are private, but I was surprised to discover several things related to me. These included my grandparents’ obituary, race times from my track competitions seven years ago, and even pictures from my private Instagram. While nothing inappropriate or unprofessional appeared, it was unsettling to realize the extent of my digital footprint. 

Blog Post #3

Here is me giving screencasting a go! I used to watch these videos all the time as a kid, especially Poptropica Adventure YouTube videos.

Blog Post #4

During my Link2Practice experience in a grade 2 classroom, I met a student who struggled to stay engaged and focused during class. However, I was pleasantly surprised to witness a significant change in his behavior when my mentor teacher turned on a video. His eyes were glued to the screen, and he grasped the concepts being taught with ease. This experience made me realize the power of videos in supporting learners and making learning more engaging.

Videos have a unique ability to transform dull and boring topics into interesting and exciting ones. For instance, documentaries have the power to make complex subjects accessible and engaging. I have often found myself learning more about a topic after watching a documentary about it. Moreover, videos also make learning more accessible by allowing learners to learn at their own pace. They can pause, rewind, or fast-forward the video to suit their learning needs. This flexibility is especially helpful for students who may need more time to process information.

Videos can also help bridge the gap between school and home. As a teacher, I can send home informative videos that help parents understand what their children are learning in class so they can better support them at home. For example, my group members and I created a math video for another class based on the video concepts we learned in this class.  Here is the link to the video:

Overall, videos are powerful tools that can enhance students’ learning experiences and make learning more accessible, engaging, and enjoyable.

Blog Post #5

I had an amazing experience exploring the process of creating graphics this week. As a future educator, it has given me a great sense of freedom as I no longer have to depend on websites like teacherspayteachers to find worksheets. Now, I have complete autonomy to create worksheets as per my preferences and requirements. I can design them in any way that I find suitable to meet the educational needs of my future students. I will definitely be utilizing these newfound skills.

This week I created a worksheet for Kindergarden using Canva. 

Blog Post #6

This week, we explored how to integrate technology into education using the SAMR model. I was particularly drawn to the transformative stage of Redefinition and its potential impact in a classroom setting. Redefinition in the SAMR model represents the use of technology to create entirely new learning experiences that were previously inconceivable. I am curious about how this concept can reshape traditional classroom activities. I thought of one example of redefinition: instead of using technology solely for writing essays or creating presentations, Redefinition could involve collaborative projects with peers from around the world using virtual platforms, where students work in real time to learn about others. By embracing Redefinition, educators can foster deeper engagement, creativity, and critical thinking among students. Leveraging technology to its fullest potential opens doors to innovative educational experiences that transcend conventional boundaries, sparking newfound excitement and curiosity in the learning process.

Blog Post #7

During today’s class, Kauri, our guest lecturer, talked about inclusive learning, which resonated with me deeply. As someone with a learning disability, I understand the importance of creating an environment that supports all students, regardless of their abilities. Fortunately, I had the privilege of having many exceptional teachers who went the extra mile to ensure I had the necessary tools to excel. Technology has been my constant companion throughout my journey and has been instrumental in my success. Initially, I used audiobooks to follow along with a book and learn to read. As time passed, I discovered voice-to-text technology, making communication mucher. However, most recently, the real game-changer has been AI. It has significantly impacted my life, saving me from countless hours of wasted time and stress. Now, I can complete tasks that would have taken me hours to finish in minutes. I could have never dreamed that we would have technology like AI available to the public in my lifetime. It excites me to see what other technology will arrive to make learning more accessible.

Blog Post #8

Blog Post #9

Here is a video Carly, Madeline, and I created using technology outside:

Blog Post #10

What are my hopes for the future in education? I hope that technology is more accessible to all learners. Perhaps Tech is even government-funded. 

As a university student, I think it is necessary to have some sort of device, either a computer or iPad, which is a huge expense for most people. I grew up with my parents actively shielding me from technology. I didn’t have a phone until I was 17, and in my final year of school, I moved to a private school where each student had access to a computer, but before that, I only had access to a computer at the public library. I bought my own computer when I learned I was attending university. At this point, I felt very behind. Many things others deemed obvious were new to me, and the learning curve was incredibly steep. This was several years ago, and now it is even more necessary to teach tech literacy and for students to have access to a devices.