"Beware the Soul-Sucking Force of Reasonableness"

This week I had the privilege of hearing from Dean Shareski, Educator and Author of Embracing a Culture of Joy. He reminded me that I need to take care of myself, and manage my stress if I'm ever going to be able to truly help my students. In my last practicum, I faked far too many smiles because I was not managing my stress. His presentation was honestly exactly what I needed right now. As I edge my final weeks as a University student, I realize that right now is the time to ensure my smiles are genuine. A reminder that may have been make or break. I need to find joy and delight in my life so I can help produce joy and delight for my students. Simple as that. We need to protect our downtime. Relish in your escapes in nature, or from the ordinary. We mustn't postpone joy. Homework doesn't have to be a thing. 

Sorry, not sorry. 

Learning ought to be joyful. We should be surprised often. Delight should be at the forefront of our lessons. We know this, and yet, so easily the experience of learning can transgress to monotonous, passive "lessons" with no lasting value. How do joy, surprise, and delight happen at school? Well, if I think back on what delighted me, it was surprise guests, impromptu outdoor classes, debates, and of course seeing the 'ol tv getting wheeled in. We rush to be adults and yet when we are adults we do everything in our power to cease aging. Let's reverse the idea that wonder is childish. Beware the soul-sucking force of reasonableness. 

TT#8 Twitter Bug

    One of the assignments for my Internet For Educators course this semester class was to create a Twitter account, and while I had had one years ago, I had been out of the Twitter loop since then. My first Twitter, the O.G account, was short-lived and consisted primarily of obscure song quotes and humble brags. All of my followers were friends from High School. Mundane AF. I can see how my interest fizzled. My current Twitter, however, has more potential. I think the reason this account might survive is because of the people I have chosen to follow. I am not following my friends, well maybe a few, but I am more focused now on learning and listening than being popular, or even heard for that matter. I have yet to even make a post. I am using Twitter now as an avenue for teaching resources, and to gain insight into the world around me... also for The Mandalorian memes, lets not kid ourselves.

HMU on Twitter!

@SteepingWisdom

I am excited to be back.

-Lady. C

TT#2 The Digital Age Conundrum

Food for Thought: 

    In my last post, I discussed the multitude of technological resources available and expressed how important it was for teachers to change up their content medium to avoid boring our attention-deficient pupils. Ironically, when I think of the amount of time we willingly devote to technology, particularly social media, I can't help but feel like maybe instead we need to banish technology and have our lessons in a forest. Mother Nature will forever be my favourite teacher.

    The key is of course balance. We must balance our time spent in the digital world, that's a given but I think it's important that we balance what we use technology for as well. When teachers use Educational Technology, we are making our lessons more engaging, while inadvertently showcasing that our devices can do more than just scroll TikTok or stream Netflix. The fact of the matter is that the digital world poses more implications for learning than it does benefits, but it was the digital world that saved learning during the pandemic. So, essentially instead of limiting screen-time, we are enforcing it.

Makes you wonder.

also, CBC News: Creators of Addictive Tech Ban it From Their Homes. Yikes.

-Lady C.

TT#4 'Bloomin' Apps'

Let's face it, even the most interesting topics can become boring to students if not presented in an engaging way. To counteract the dreaded bore, teachers do all but juggle to ensure students are paying attention. Thankfully we live in the digital age and it has never been easier to spice up lessons. If you don't believe me, just mention Kahoot and watch your sluggish pupils suddenly come to life.  

While I have had some experience with using some of the many apps available, I am still constantly on the search for something new. This is how I stumbled upon Kathy Schrock's Guide to Everything. My favorite part about this Educational Guru and her page is that basically all of the apps she lists have been critically assessed by other teachers around North America and there is no reason for bias. Love this. All of our favourites are on there: Near Pod, Flip Grid, EduCreations, Socrative, and so many more. To simplify integrating tech into the classroom, Kathy has graciously organized her routinely updated list of 'Bloomin' Apps', as she calls them, into the revised Bloom's Taxonomy categories. 

What a time to be alive. 

I can't help but be reminded of Bad Religion's 'I Love my Computer', lol. 

Happy lesson planning, teacher friends! 

-Lady C. 

TT#11 About.Me/CassandraWilson

Hi, friends! I did a thing! 

Check me out: 

🌻

About.me/CassandraWilson

TT#7 Mindcl!ckers (Esports Wellness Podcast)

    In my last post, I mentioned how it was a good idea for teachers to familiarize themselves with the world of Esports because it could very well be a large part of our student's lives. In case you didn't know, Esports is competitive online gaming. While I have (some) casual first-hand experience with tournaments, and LAN parties, I honestly had no idea how monumental the community had become and I feel motivated now more than ever to dig deeper. I decided a podcast was an appropriate medium to learn more, and while there is a multitude of Esports podcasts, I found Mindclickers especially intriguing because they are focused on the well-being of Esports athletes. 

 "Mindclickers is an insight into the psychological 
and performance demands from Esports Athletes.
 Listen to what the best of the best think about
 before, during, and after a game." 

It makes sense, honestly. If I'm having a bad day I do not play well. I love the idea of advocating health to my students with the pretense that it will make them better gamers! And lowkey better students but that part might be less of an appeal... 

Episodes of the podcast that I found particularly interesting/relevant to Education:

1. Violeta Ivanova - Physiotherapist & Esports Physical Health Researcher 

(12/28/20)

• This episode made me think of Computational Thinking Skills immediately when they discussed Hackathons, which are competitions for software developers. Ivanova explained how vital mental health is for Esports athletes and stresses the importance of having positive physical health as well. She explains how coaches and teammates must be "benefactors of encouragement". 

2.  Regan Campbell - Founder of Player 2 Second Hand Gaming & Mental Health Advocate 

(01/21/21)

• In this episode, Regan "Regzz" Campbell sits down to talk about Player 2 Second Hand Gaming, which is a low-cost online avenue for nostalgic video games. "Why pay more when you can play more?" Love it. While their discussion on the future of Esports is interesting, the part I found most endearing about this episode is when the two gentlemen spoke candidly about their own mental health journeys. Regan's passion for mental health signs through and helps to augment Player 2 as an online retailer that not only cares for gamers, but everyone as a whole. Check out Player 2 Second-Hand Gaming here :)

3. Josh "Shinobi" Abastado - Professional FPS Esports Athlete and Previous In-Game Leader For Cloud 9

(02/12/21)

•  This episode was interesting because we got to hear from an Esports coach, who discussed the importance of having confidence, effective communication, and marketability. This was a teacher lightbulb for me. 

See ya, Space Cowboys

-Lady C.

TLDR: Minecraft = Homework

    This week I had the opportunity to hear from Educational Technologist, Matteo Di Muro of the Brandon School Division who discussed the importance of computation skills for students. Computational Thinking is a problem-solving process that includes formulating problems in a way that enables us to use a computer and other tools to help solve them. Computational Thinking is a skill that requires the logical organization and analysis of data. Honestly, I did not have a lot of experience with the concept, nor did I have the foggiest idea of how to integrate it into my lessons as a teacher. I remember in my undergrad when I took a Historiography class, we discussed the importance of 'Computational Historical Thinking' when going back and forth between different scales of historical analysis... but, even then I just winged it. Thankfully, Matteo explained it in simpler language for me:

"Computational Thinking is the mental process of breaking down a task into smaller parts."

"Algorithmic Thinking." 

Matteo explained that Computational Skills are difficult for teachers to generate lessons and subsequently assess student's progress, but that there are lots of free/cheap options to gamify the process of coding:

• For elementary grade students, teachers (and parents!) can utilize Scratch!            "Your students can use Scratch to code their own interactive stories, animations, and games. In the process, they learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively  - essential skills for everyone in today’s society. Educators are integrating Scratch across many different subject areas and age groups." The best part? ♡Scratch is 100% FREE♡ & that's music to my ears rn.
• For early to middle year students, teachers and parents can utilize Bearfoot Computing. Here teachers have unlimited access to curriculum material to foster Computational Thinking in the classroom, including group activities for remote learners! Super important. 
• For middle and senior year students, here's the curveball: Minecraft. Or more specifically, Minecraft: Education Edition. "Minecraft: Education Edition is a game-based learning platform that builds STEM skills, unleashes creativity, and engages students in collaboration and problem-solving. Minecraft helps educators meet students where they are and inspires deep, meaningful learning across subjects." At this point in the presentation, I had to check to make sure I wasn't dreaming. You had me at "Minecraft". Shut up and take my money! 

As if to justify my long-running addiction to Overwatch, Matteo concluded his information session by urging educators to become more involved in the world of Esports because you know who is? Our students. 

I leave you with these Minecraft memes as a small token of appreciation for reading my blog:

See ya, Space Cowboys

-Lady C