Posts By jennabursey
Inquiry Reflection
Throughout my free inquiry process, I personally learned about ways I could run a classroom website. As someone not drawn to technology on an everyday basis it was a great opportunity to practice these skills in order to use them later in my professional life. A few of my favourites were screen casting, sketch noting and learning about making my content more accessible. In this reflection post, I discuss assistive technology and was able to learn how to add my own closed captioning to youtube videos. I feel like i successfully used some of the basic tools in my weekly inquiry posts, however, I could have challenged myself further to use some of the more technological tools such as screen casting to creatively show my inquiry process.
Moreover, I enjoyed experiencing what the inquiry process is like, how it can be beneficial to my students in the future and what its benefits are. I loved the see, think, wonder example shared on our classroom website. Where the kindergarten teacher uses a simplified inquiry model with her kindergarten classroom in order to get them thinking more critically about the world around them. Overall, this experience was extremely beneficial and I will be taking my learning with me into my future professional practice! I hope to challenge myself to step outside of my comfort zone and try new ways of engaging in the educational profession.
Educational Technology Presentation
Classroom Websites and Chat GPT
For our inquiry we decided to focus on the pros and cons of a classroom website. We thought this topic was intriguing because there are diverse opinions on it. When we were brainstorming ideas for this question, we thought of our classroom discussions. We considered accessibility, privacy and usefulness. How can it be accessible to all families, does it ensure our students privacy and is it useful for our students. We also compared it to the more traditional method of a monthly or weekly newsletter via paper. From here we landed on the idea of filming a dramatization where we interview teachers and parents so that we could express our thinking.
How Did Chat GPT Help?
For this project we decided to enlist our friend ChatGPT to help us in making our script. We began with asking it to make us a script with this prompt: “Pros and cons of using a class website in their classroom. Interview style with teacher and parents.” This first script was good, and covered our main points that we had agreed on for our pros and cons list for class websites. We were convinced ChatGPT heard us, which it probably did. Although this first script was good we wanted it to have a few more details. We then regenerated the response with this prompt: “Pros and cons of using a class website in their classroom. Interview style with teacher and parents. One parent and teacher uses websites. One parent kid’s classroom uses newsletters.” This prompt gave us a more detailed script with specifics of the benefits and drawbacks of both newsletters and classroom websites. We then took what we liked from each generated script and put them together. This created an eloquently spoken script that took us minutes to make. Thank you ChatGPT.
How easy/ difficult was the filming, editing, and producing of the video?
We decided to film a video to showcase our project for multiple reasons. We thought it would be impactful to see a conversation played out in a theatrical way which worked well in video format. Moreover, the fact that this presentation was for a technology education course in which we learned about videos and editing, we figured it was appropriate to represent our learning in this topic. To create our set we transformed my living into a talk show stage and set up our camera next to my T.V. Another tech feature we had in the filming process was AirPlaying our script document to the T.V. so that we can read it during filming. We had a great time filming and discussing what parts of the script we liked or needed to further edit. As for the editing we used the trusty Imovie app where we did the basic cutting and clipping of the video takes. However, we found out that the mobile IPad version of Imovie was not as comprehensive as the computer version. At that point we switched to the computer version and added clapping and cheering tracks, transitions, theme music, and text titles. Once completing this we uploaded it to youtube so we were able to make it accessible by adding subtitles. Here we did have to take some time to edit them so they were correctly corresponding to our words. Overall, we agreed that while the video, and editing process had trials and tribulations we thought it was a fun, and informative way to explore our topic.
How Did We Employ Creativity to Explore Our Inquiry Question?
We employed creativity in the format we chose to display our findings. We knew we wanted to create a video that explored the use of classroom websites and newsletters, but didn’t want the video to be a presentation that we could have done in person for our class. We discussed the idea of a conversation between teachers and parents, and ultimately landed on an interview style video. We decided that the video would be in the form of a talk show about all things education, with this segment being about classroom websites vs newsletters. We wanted to have both teacher and parent perspectives, and wanted to make sure it hit on the pros and cons of each. To break up the interview we decided to have an ad for ChatGPT, which had helped us create the script for our interview, which was pretty creative we thought.
Little June
Google Review 4.6 ⭐️
Our next Stop
In the heart of Fernwood, Little June sits on the corner of Gladstone and Fernwood st. It was one of my very first regular coffee shop visits when I moved to Victoria. It is small, but cozy and has great coffee for one of the best prices of all the cafes I have reviewed. I dont go there as often since I moved across town, but I’m always happy to stop in when I can.
The Coffee
The coffee here never disappoints me and they use a local blend from Fernwood Coffee Company. You can get a latte or a Africano for the most reasonable price in town – even if you want your alternative milk options. My go to is their oat milk africano, it is creamy and delicious! I give their coffee 4/5.
The Food
The food here is definitely a highlight! They are serving locally sourced food all day and afternoon. They have all sorts of baked goods and breakfast sandwiches. If you want to stop in for lunch they have a variety of soups and sandwiches that are farm inspired each day. If you are looking for a happy hour spot you can stop in as well as they serve a rotating variety of local beer and wine. Truly you cannot go wrong! I give their food 5/5
The Atmosphere
I love stopping into Little June because the atmosphere is so…. Fernwood. If you have been to Fernwood then this requires little elaboration, if you havent, think laid back, Vancouver island, with a dash of hippy. One of my favourite parts is even 3 years after moving there, there is a gentleman that is always dressed up in colourful clothes, walking around blowing bubbles outside ! Sounds weird, but somehow it fits the atmosphere perfectly. It is cozy, it is cute and it is perfect for your next cafe date. I give it 4.5/5
Week 8 Reflection
Basic Coding
I had such a great time learning simple coding by playing the flappy bird game. I have very little experience with coding so this was a fun and accessible learning activity that I can do and also use with my students. I think that kids would have a great time doing this and feel accomplished as they have a final product to play with and a cute certificate that I could print for them to take home.
Computational Thinking
This week we also discussed computational thinking and I believe it can help learners become better problem solvers. Computational thinking involves breaking down complex problems into smaller, more manageable parts, identifying patterns and relationships, developing algorithms to solve problems, and testing and refining solutions. By learning to think computationally, my students can develop skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, logical reasoning, and creativity. These skills are essential for solving complex problems in various fields, including science, engineering, mathematics, and computer science.
Computational thinking can also help learners develop a systematic approach to problem-solving. They learn to find and analyze problems, break them down into smaller, more manageable parts, and develop step-by-step solutions. I believe it also improves their creative thinking skills so they can be more adaptable in life. As we have discussed before, we are in an age of information, therefore, teachers need to help mold students into critical thinkers that can discern information accurately and think creatively with the knowledge they can access.
Bear and Joey
Google Reviews 4.4 ⭐️
Our Next Stop
OOOOOOoo, I am excited for our next stop. I haven’t been back here in a while but when I was doing this inquiry blog I knew I had to go back. Bear and Joey has got to be one of the most beautiful cafe/restaurants in Victoria. Now, I recognize that this is a little less cafe and a little more restaurant, however, they have a full coffee shop on one side fo their location. It is unique, inspired by Sydney Australia as the owners are Australian. It is absolutely worth a visit if you are in the Cook st. area. So lets get into it!
The Coffee
The coffee, delicious. I know I say that a lot, but Victoria’s coffee scene is so delish. Their espresso is definitely a more mild flavour but it is easy drinking. Their latte art and astethic is their WHEEL HOUSE. I guarantee that you are going to want to take pictures of your fancy drink if that is what you order. Overall, I give their coffee 3.5/5 stars.
The Food
Bear and Joeys food… is unique. Personally I have only tried their granola bowl and their breakfast sandwich and I was not a fan of either (and they are very expensive). I find that they’re really trying to make their food unique, colourful and different. They accomplish this. However, for someone like myself, I prefer the classics. This may just be a preference of mine, as they are never lacking customers. You can be sure to get a cool instagram photo and a burst of unique flavours and if that is what you’re looking for than this will be your place. Overall, I give their food a 3/5.
The Atmopshere
By and large, Bear and Joey is one of the most aesthetically pleasing cafe in Victoria. Hands down, no question. You walk in and you do feel like you are in a beach town – apparently Australia- I have just never been to Australia. You walk in and the staff are friendly, the music is good, the decor is bright and unique. This experience is what you come here for. The owner is so personable and takes the time to get to know his customers. I hadn’t been in for months and when I came in he remembered my name and that I was in school. Talk about customer service. I also love how you walk in and you can choose to go to just the cafe, where they have delicious baked good and to-go coffee or sit and stay where you can get food or still just do coffee and a baked good. Hands down one of the coolest places to go for a coffee date in Victoria. 6/5!!
Week 7 Reflection
This week we talked about online citizenship. To be very honest, Jesse Miller pleasantly surprised me with his presentation on this topic. My stance on technology and social media has always been wary… I worry about the negative consequences of it. When I talk to my partner about it I always say I want to limit our child’s screen time and be conscious about it as a family (when we have one- we don’t have children yet). However, I feel like Jesse expanded my thinking and challenged some of my preconceived ideas. For one, we cant fight technological progressions… it is here and it is happening. So to deny that would be counter productive. I still hold the belief that too much of anything is not good for a person and that the internet and its vastness is not something a child is developmentally prepared to handle with no guidance. Nevertheless, I appreciated his pragmatic stance on the topic.
As a future educator, I know that this will play a massive role in my work. My classes will be filled with children of various backgrounds, with various access and restrictions on their technology use. Therefore, I must be aware of what is happening in this sphere and help nurture its positive use and help my students navigate it. I want them to be able to handle these tools appropriately and effectively as citizens. Moreover, I found it extremely helpful to learn about the laws and expectations around technology as a teacher. There is a lot to keep in mind and also to to understand in order to teach it to my students. I hope to walk into this profession as equipped as I can be and to completely reject technology and social media would not serve me nor my students. Rather, I need to be aware of its strengths and limitations and how to navigate it all as a professional.
Bean Around The World
Google Reviews 4.7 ⭐️
Our Next Stop
In the heart of Victoria’s Chinatown since 1996 is Bean Around the World. However, they actually opened their roastery in 1994. They’re unique as they carefully select organic coffees from around the world and roast it in store. I have actually been in their cafe while they were roasting with their cast iron probat! They are a staple in Victoria’s coffee scene and are the perfect next stop on my hunt for Victoria’s best coffee.
The Atmosphere
This coffee shop is not what you see many of the modern instagramable cafe’s doing. It is darker inside, with old wooden tables and seating. It has eclectic artwork, which includes a wall of old license plates. Nevertheless, I believe that this is its draw, as it has managed to stay true to itself and thrive. One neat aspect of their layout is that they also have rotating artwork near the front from local artists that you can purchase. Their large roasting probat is in the back of the cafe and they have a neat open concept loft where they keep their beans and supplies. Over all, I give their atmosphere 4/5.
The Coffee
Well, I can certainly say their coffee is a must-try in Victoria. Their unique blends are selected and roasted on-site and are absolutely delicious and they’re also organic! One notable aspect of their espresso is how well it works to create latte art, Id say so far this was my favourite latte I have had! I give their coffee a 5/5!!
The food
Similar to many other coffee shops in Victoria, they have food delivered daily. Their pastries, breads, and soups are dropped off fresh each day. My personal favourite are their blueberry oat muffins or their pain de chocolate. They also make their own in-house paninis that are local Victorian favourites but personally I found them a little dry. I give their food a 3.5/5.
Jenna’s Overall Score 5.3 ⭐️
Week 5 Reflection
Intentionality in Technology Enabled Learning Design
This week our class focused on intentionally using technology for learning. In class, we discussed two frameworks for evaluating the appropriateness of the educational technologies we can use in our classrooms. The first framework is S.A.M.R (substitution, augmentation, modification, redefinition) and the second is the SECTIONS (students, ease of use, costs, teaching functions {including the affordances of different media}, interaction, organizational issues, networking, security and privacy) model. I found both helpful as they make me extend my thinking and reflect deeper in ways I might not have thought to on my own. I have saved them so that I can refer back to them in the future.
Learning Design Examples
Sketchnote
We practiced sketch-noting this week and although I am not confident in my artistic abilities I do see the value in this tool. I think I would actually use this as a tool to teach my students, rather than something I may learn on in my teaching. For my visual learners I think this could be both fun and helpful for them to use in their careers as students and professionals.
Infographic
The other learning design type we practices was infographics. This is way more up my alley as I prefer not to have to draw (as you can see why above). I used Canva, which is my favourite teaching resources, as they have pre-made templates. The one I made here was already designed and I simply had to fill it in as I desired. I could see me using this as a tool to send handouts to parents, as I hope to teach kindergarten and I am sure there will need to be lots of parent-teacher communication.
Esquimalt Roasting Company
4.8 ⭐️ Google Reviews
Our Next Stop
Esquimalt Roasting Company is a relatively new booming café in Esquimalt. They started as a tiny location off Esquimalt Road where they roast their own beans and brew their own coffee. I live in Esquimalt and found them on an afternoon walk and could not believe how delicious their coffee was… I was instantly hooked! However, their location was so small and not somewhere I could sit and work while enjoying a coffee. Their owner Greg, an Australian Immigrant whose now lived in Esquimalt for over twenty years now would proudly tell me about their new location that was in the works. In 2021, they opened their brand-new location which is attached to the new Esquimalt library and art gallery. It is absolutely gorgeous and definitely worth a visit!!
This Week
This week I learned a lot about accessibility and assistive technology. On this post Ive ensure that I used the headings properly and provided alt-text for each of the images. Each week Im learning and will keep trying to make it better.
The Coffee
When I say that the first time I had their coffee I was hooked, I was not exaggerating. Greg’s love for coffee shines through in the delicious flavours of his roasts and blends. To keep my reviews consistent I got an oat milk latte (unlike the last it was not two dollars). Nevertheless, it was delicious. I would argue that it was creamier than Union Pacific’s, but I do prefer my usual order of an oat milk Africano or even a regular americano. All that to be said, their coffee is DELSIH and I appreciate that its locally brewed in my own neighbourhood. I give it 5/5!
The Food
Ok, the food. Over the last two years they have had a variety of food options to choose from. An insider secret is that they bring in Empire Donuts on Sundays! Some things are baked and cooked in store and some are brought in from other local locations. They have breakfast options such as egg sandwiches and danishes and lunch options such as sausage and veggie rolls. Finally, they have baked goods such as muffins, cookies, croissants and cinnamon rolls. Personally, I love their croissants and don’t love their muffins as they are too sweet. Elizabeth, my friend in the program LOVES the cinnamon rolls and rates them 10/5. Overall I give their food 3.5/5.
The Atmosphere
I would argue that their location and atmosphere are the best in the city but I know I have more reviews ahead of me. I am a bit biased as it is also a 5 minute walk from my house and I appreciate that I feel a part of the community here. I know the owner personally and most of the staff by name, however, from what I see this is common for many of their guests. They really got out of their way to be a part of their community and become friends with their guests. Moreover, it is planned well as there is lots of free parking, walkable to the community centre and attached to the new art gallery and library. An amazing feature is the glass sliding doors that open up the store to be entirely inside/outside in the summer. Its bright, new, clean and fresh looking and has lots of seating options. Overall I give their atmosphere 5/5.
Jenna’s Overall Cafe Score 8.6 ⭐️
Assistive Technology
My Experiences With Assistive Technology
When I worked as an EA on School District 61’s spare board, I was able to observe a variety of classrooms and schools. Each one was unique and had access to different forms of assistive technology. One tool I saw in many of the schools was iPads, which were used in a variety of ways. For example, when I supported a student that had down syndrome, we would use it as a communication tool as they were able to see the images and press them to tell me what they needed. The IPAD was also used for communication with a Ukraine refugee student, as it allowed them to use google translate to talk with me and the teacher.
Unfortunately, I also saw the IPAD used without much thought or intention, as a way to quiet a high-needs behavioural student in a grade one classroom I worked in. This student had a lot of energy and none of that energy was put toward what their teacher wanted. I can empathize with the teacher that managing their busy classroom and this student would be exhausting, nevertheless, I was disappointed that their go-to solution was giving them an iPad so they would sit still. The student was extremely bright and capable of far more than the teacher invested in him. Thus, in this case, I believe assistive technology was used but not in a way that benefited this student.
Looking Back and Looking Ahead
Two forms of digital accessibility practices that often see missed are closed captions in elementary schools and proper colour contrast on university slides. In many elementary classrooms that I’ve been in, I did not see closed captioning on their videos. I recognize that in the lower primary grades, this may not be as helpful, but I still think it can be good practice to use. Moreover, as I am privileged to have no vision issues, I did not think about colour contrast on my website or on any presentation slides that I have made over my work and school career. I will certainly be keeping this in mind going forward.