Blog #1 - Beginning of the Fall 2025 Semester!
My previous experience with AI applications and how I have used them:
HEY FRIENDS:)
When I think back to my own experiences with AI applications, I remember how scared I was to use it at first. The conversations that always circled around using any form of AI were usually that these tools were being used for students to "cheat", and because of the way it was perceived at the time, I was always very hesitant to use it. But then, as the conversations started to shift more towards AI being a good tool that could help with understanding within our studies, I started to play around with it a little more and I'm really glad that I did!
AI tools like Photo Math and ChatGPT, has helped me to breakdown concepts for better understanding within various areas of my learning when I don't fully understand something. As well as for brainstorming ideas and creating outlines to help me have an idea on where to start for projects. Especially when I feel stuck. I don't see these tools as just giving me a "quick answer", but rather as a starting point where I can gather different ideas I like and ones I dislike and build off of those while applying my own knowledge, understanding and personal experiences.
What educational technology is being used in my 3rd year practicum placement?
This year, I have my practicum placement with grade 4's within the Calgary Catholic School District! Within my time in the classroom and around the school I have noticed that educational technology is a big part of the daily routine. From using chromebooks for math and ELA games, to smart boards for interactive attendance, ipads and using google classroom to post content for students and parents, technology is very prominent! My mentor teacher had also given me the run down on how morning announcements work within our school, and I found it really interesting!
Every morning all the teachers and their classes join onto google classroom together on the smart boards with the principles. We sing O'Canada together followed by morning prayer, that is led by a different jr.high student every morning, and then any announcements for the day are shared. I really like this incorporation of technology as it is an effective way to bring everyone together and start the day feeling connected with seeing everyone on the screens, rather than just having announcements over the speakers. Not only is it efficient, but it also builds a sense of community within our school while modeling how technology can be used for communication and collaboration!
My "BURNING" questions about the use of digital technologies in K-9:
1.) How can we ensure that the technology our students use are helping to deepen their learning, creativity, and critical thinking, rather than just being used to find a "quick answer"?
2.) How can we teach students to use technology responsibly inside and outside of school, while also protecting them from issues such as cyberbullying?
Why are these questions important to ME?
These questions are very important to me because I've seen how powerful technology can be when it's used as a starting point to help us build off of for a deeper understanding. But also because I am aware of how bad the consequences can be when technology is misused and don't want that for my students. In my own experience, AI tools have helped to spark ideas within me, but my real learning that actually sticks with me is when I apply my own knowledge and build on those ideas. I want my students to learn that same skill so that they are able to take ownership of their learning and be able to connect what they learnt to their own lives, rather than just rely on a simple search to generate the answer for them.
I also care very deeply about online safety and how kids are using technology inside and outside of school. Technology is a very big part of everyone's day to day lives, now more than ever, and with that comes a greater risk of cyberbullying. As a future teacher, I don't just want to support my students' academic growth, I also want to help them feel safe and supported in all areas of their lives. Teaching students how to be responsible and respectful online, their digital citizenship, is just as important as teaching math or reading!
Hi Michelle! It was interesting to see how our initial thoughts about the use of AI were very similar. I'm glad to know that, over time, you were also able to overcome that fear and recognize the positives of using AI.
ReplyDeleteI also found it interesting to see how technology is used in your classroom! It seems that your school uses it as a way to bring the school community together, especially in the mornings when you sing O'Canada and read the morning prayer. My MT also uses google classroom, although it hasn't been created yet, so I'm still unsure of exactly how it's used and who has access. I'm curious to see the similarities and differences between how it's implemented at each of our schools!
Your second question resonated with something my MT shared with me about digital citizenship. This may differ from what you will see in your school, but at my school, the constable assigned to my school comes in to explain the implications of social media. they emphasize the importance of not sharing or posting anything you wouldn't want to remain online permanently, since once something is posted, it is traceable and never truly deleted.
Hi Michelle, I really enjoyed reading this. I liked how you came up with two burning questions. I also enjoyed how you discussed the misuse of technology as this can lead to bigger issues such as cyberbullying, etc. You expressing your care for the students, is such an important part in being an educator, and reading this definitely shows the type of love and care you would bring to the classroom environment.
ReplyDeleteI also found it interesting how you emphasized that AI supports your ideas, but you mostly have to use your own knowledge in order for you to learn best. I related this back to myself, as I also learn best and succeed when I am able to come up with ideas on my own. Especially in a society where AI has taken over, people have been so reliant on AI to do the thinking for them, rather than having them come up with ideas themselves. This was an important piece of the blog that stood out to me the most!
One of my wonders is, I wonder how you would enforce digital citizenship strategies within your own classroom one day? How different is the Catholic School Board, in comparison to others. What precautions do they take with technology?
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