How Do my I.C.T. Skills and I Live Happily Ever After?
(image from Bitmoji)
With the rapidly evolving technology that grows infinitely as I write this post, the need for continuous professional development is mandatory. As educators, we are often given websites, blogs, digital videos, and apps that are supposed to enhance our learning in the classroom. These tools are as extremely relevant as the quantity of them is overwhelming,
Author, John Green discusses cartography and learning communities that inspired his learning https://www.ted.com/talks/john_green_the_nerd_s_guide_to_learning_everything_online/transcript. He goes on to say,” I do believe that while maps don’t show you where you will go in life, they show you where you might go, You very rarely go to a place that isn’t on your personal map” (Green, 2012).
I.C.T., for me, also stands for
Identify FocusConnect, Collaborate, and Co-TeachTraining
Skills for a Digital World This policy brief outlines 4 key priorities for skills policies to meet the challenges of a digital world. The article focuses on the general work force, but I interpreted the emphasis put on:
1. formal and informal education (MOOCs, Youtube tutorials, OERs)2. staying relevant with the needs of your students3. teamwork, but also autonomy4. training offered by your school and district
My effervescent, high-spirited, boisterous daughters played a large part in mapping my professional development for the past decade. I felt like I was pulled in different directions in the past from numeracy to literacy and back to reconciliation, but then there’s the Reggio Method and nature-based play to check out. So, every year or two years I would set off on a singular quest. First, there was self regulation and classroom management. 
(personal image taken in Abbotsford, B.C. October 15, 2020)
Then there was numeracy and open-ended questioning. https://www.pims.math.ca/
(image from www.pims.math.ca)
After that, was re-visiting my literacy teaching practices, which was mostly visiting Teachers Pay Teachers and purchasing a lot of Adrienne Gear texts.
(image from google.ca)
Most recently, it has been this magical librarianship adventure. Most of my professional development was based on physical texts until now...
(image from Bitmoji)
This is where the connection, collaboration, and co-teaching is of utmost importance. I am motivated to continue reading academic articles that tell me about ICT, but to actually put some of these strategies, tools, and resources into quality practice? I need a fairy godperson or two. Anytime I have tried something digital be it creating a weebly website, using Class Dojo for home/school communication, or Pixton to create comics, I always searched out like-minded individuals that would be willing to go on this journey of unlearning and relearning. We would meet regularly to plan, execute, and reflect. If the online tutorials were not able to help, I would seek out a mentor like instructional coach or school lead.
(images from www.google.ca)
At this point, I am a bit at a crossroads. I feel like I am coming up for a breath from my digital wanderings without a treasure...because there was too much!
This is where my last concept of training explains my ordeal. At the district level, there is so much that has already been vetted, FOIPPA approved, and organized with instructions and support. SD 35 uses Microsoft Teams, where materials needed for digital instruction as well as any curricular instruction is organized by grade and subject area. Pertinent files are included, experts are always a click away, and there are many scheduled webinars, virtual visits to the classroom offered for free. We also use One Drive and other applications of Office 365 like Notebook that helps staff members share files. I can bravely say, that my ICT skills with navigating this platform alone, is pretty bare. With remote learning, a lot of this especially Teams was just sort of handed to us and we were expected to start using it and get parents to use it, before we even knew how to!
(images from www.google.ca)
To further develop my knowledge, expertise, and skills with ICT, I can confidently say that before I go down a virtual rabbit hole, I am going to use the platforms and apps that are district-approved, not so much because I am not a risk taker, but if I want to continually develop my learning, I want to ensure I can find peers to be genuinely invested in my personal focus as well as have access to trained individuals or thorough resources to support my ongoing development.
(image from Bitmoji)
At this point, when I look back to my inquiry on MyBlueprint, a digital portfolio for students to reflect on the curriculum’s core competencies and development of their self-awareness and metacognition skills, I have already begun the process of identifying focus, collaborating, and getting training. I have completed a webinar with our district lead on MBP and I am scheduled for a virtual visit with my students to start on a second activity in their portfolio. This upcoming October Pro D, I have set aside time with my cohort teacher and grade group to explore MBP together and develop a plan of action for the school year. My personal map of learning involves people over programs. This year may involve more of a reliance on technology be it walkie talkie apps, cloud sharing, and digital notebook platforms, but the quality and effectiveness will be attributed to the users and the team.
Works CitedGreen, J. (2012). Transcript of "The nerd's guide to learning everything online". Retrieved October 14, 2020, from https://www.ted.com/talks/john_green_the_nerd_s_guide_to_learning_everything_online/transcript
Oecd. (2016, June 02). Skills for a Digital World: 2016 Ministerial Meeting on the Digital Economy Background Report. Retrieved October 12, 2020, from https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/science-and-technology/skills-for-a-digital-world_5jlwz83z3wnw-en;jsessionid=l62mEeWdjOf68OC0uKCsYAaz.ip-10-240-5-59
(image from Bitmoji)
(personal image taken in Abbotsford, B.C. October 15, 2020)
(image from google.ca)
(image from Bitmoji)
(images from www.google.ca)
At this point, I am a bit at a crossroads. I feel like I am coming up for a breath from my digital wanderings without a treasure...because there was too much!
This is where my last concept of training explains my ordeal. At the district level, there is so much that has already been vetted, FOIPPA approved, and organized with instructions and support. SD 35 uses Microsoft Teams, where materials needed for digital instruction as well as any curricular instruction is organized by grade and subject area. Pertinent files are included, experts are always a click away, and there are many scheduled webinars, virtual visits to the classroom offered for free. We also use One Drive and other applications of Office 365 like Notebook that helps staff members share files. I can bravely say, that my ICT skills with navigating this platform alone, is pretty bare. With remote learning, a lot of this especially Teams was just sort of handed to us and we were expected to start using it and get parents to use it, before we even knew how to!
(image from Bitmoji)
Green, J. (2012). Transcript of "The nerd's guide to learning everything online". Retrieved October 14, 2020, from https://www.ted.com/talks/john_green_the_nerd_s_guide_to_learning_everything_online/transcript
Oecd. (2016, June 02). Skills for a Digital World: 2016 Ministerial Meeting on the Digital Economy Background Report. Retrieved October 12, 2020, from https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/science-and-technology/skills-for-a-digital-world_5jlwz83z3wnw-en;jsessionid=l62mEeWdjOf68OC0uKCsYAaz.ip-10-240-5-59
Hi Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have had a lot of varied experiences in learning about, sharing and using technology in different ways. Your points about trying out new technology with a colleague is something that I also find very valuable. As well, it makes sense to delve more deeply into programs that others are also using. This is not only helpful to educators but I believe to our students as well so that they can focus less on constantly learning new technology skills and more on applying their knowledge.
Jaya
You have outlined some good strategies to support your further growth and learning. I appreciate your reinvented version of what ICT stands for! I also appreciated your statement about people over programs. I couldn’t agree more!
ReplyDelete