Every summer I repost this article on how to spot drowning. Please read it and pass on. In the last few years I’ve had SIX messages from people who saved a kid’s life after clicking on the link from my feed. slate.com/technology/2...

Just sent an email to my MLA to persuade her that YouTube can be a great resource for teachers. I should tell my students next week that the persuasive writing unit we just finished is pretty useful.

This is misguided. Carefully selected videos can be invaluable teaching tools. The concern about autoplay and algorithm recommendations in the classroom are minimal and honestly students need some practice to learn how to engage in a healthy way. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

While everyone is talking about banning AI chatbots for young people, perhaps it is also a good time to teach young people to think critically about artificial intelligence too. Giving students information about ethical and environmental considerations is important. teacherbees.ca/ai-part-1/

A letter from me in today's Winnipeg Free Press. As a teacher friend said: What are kids going to do, go outside and get hit by cars?

Pretty frustrating when really useful teaching resources or materials are removed from US government websites.

Oof. Looks like I'm going to have to beef up my lessons on reliable news sources next year. www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-lif...

I like geeking out about all the cool photos from Artemis II this week. So neat!

The kids section of my local library has a colouring corner with a dollhouse that kids can colour, which is the most adorable thing ever.

The second post in my series on teaching students about how to think critically about AI. We learned about why AI hallucinates, how AI can demonstrate bias and why using reliable sources is important. teacherbees.ca/ai-part-3/

Here's the second post in my series on teaching students how to think critically about AI. We learned about how AI affects learning and mental health. teacherbees.ca/ai-part-2/

I've been spending a bit of time writing about how to help students understand AI and think critically about it. The first step below is helping them understand what it is and how it is developed, with a focus on some of the ethical issues surrounding its training. teacherbees.ca/ai-part-1/

Transgender and nonbinary young people have a lower risk of suicide attempts when their pronouns are respected. Respecting pronouns can save a life. www.parents.com/respecting-p...

This paper contains some good arguments about an issue that concerns me a lot when I hear my colleagues talking about LLM use in developing their research: Whose ideas are you presenting as your own? (Though the fatalist argument the authors make at the end of paper is disappointing/bizarre.)

This Is Just To Say I have thwarted the LLM that was in your algorithm with which you were probably planning world domination Forgive me it was delicious so banal and so stupid

This term I collaborated with another teacher to make this middle school unit about generative AI, how it works and how it is impacting us, the environment and society, with the aim to help students make more informed decisions. Feel free to share! www.canva.com/design/DAGyC...

This term, we learned about AI and its impacts. We learned about data centres and how in communities elsewhere they are putting stress on the energy grid and water supplies. Looks like that lesson is becoming increasingly relevant here. www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...

This term, my students and I focused on thinking more critically about generative AI, how it works and its consequences for the environment, communities, artists, our mental health and our thinking. I’m assessing their thinking in a summative assignment and I’m appreciating how thoughtful they are.

Happy November 1st everyone!

Today at MTS PD Day, I presented about online media literacy in the social studies context. Here is some of what I covered, including how to teach about misinformation, lateral reading, and evaluating sources. teacherbees.ca/online-media...

Sharing a highlight from MTS PD Day, where I learned about the Canadian Pride Historical Society. This team of volunteers is researching the history of Pride in communities across Canada. The website includes lesson plans and their YouTube channel has lots of educational videos. cphs.ca

Teachers, if you can check off any of the boxes below (!) then you should clear your calendar for Friday (Oct. 24). @winnipegfreepress.com media literacy teachers are unveiling the beta version of our free K-12 #mbed platform at MTS PD Day!

I'm in the process of developing a unit about Generative AI to help students develop a more critical understanding about it. It's going well so far! I found an article that perfectly rounds out my lesson about AI and bias and I'm quite pleased. www.snexplores.org/article/ai-i...

One of the most common arguments you hear from fans of generative ‘AI’ is that it’s not plagiarizing people’s work, it’s just learning like a human learns. So I’m going to break down why that’s just not true, and why it can never be true, with the existing systems. 1/

“I’m extremely concerned that reliance on AI will hinder those who need the most support, ultimately putting a Band-Aid over their education rather than addressing the root issues.” Let’s discuss: how do you use AI so students don’t miss skill acquisition? www.edutopia.org/article/bann...

This spring, I used parts of We Are Not Free, by Traci Chee, as a read aloud for our human rights literature circle. Learning about Japanese incarceration camps and making connections to current events is chilling, but important.

Check out the Free Press Kid's Book Club! A great list of books, a book giveaway contest and the chance for kids to publish book reviews! www.winnipegfreepress.com/kids-book-club?

25 Middle Grade Titles for Pride Month and Beyond

Applies to his and hers.

I present to you one of Eurovision’s top entries this year, an entire song about saunas. youtu.be/WK3HOMhAeQY?...

I enjoy that the legend on the Science Rendezvous map at the U of M comes with this warning.

Today is Red Dress Day. With my grade seven classes, we'll be reading an article from Niigaan Sinclair about MMIWG2S+ and the need for action, plus talking about the Calls for Justice. #RedDressDay teacherbees.ca/books-for-re...

I took students on a field trip to the library today and it was fun showing them all that the library has to offer. Books! Magazines! Board games! Video games! Teen paint nights and other programming! It has everything!

This, from Nathan Martindale, is really meeting the moment

Bill 43 represents a victory for all - Glad to see my union president speaking out about this. www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/anal...

Wonder how much of a nail biter my local riding results will be tonight.

Disinformation is getting harder and harder to avoid, and generative AI is like the final boss in a game no one wants to be playing. Before you head to the polls on Monday, I hope you read my piece. www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...

This article was completed before presentations were finished. It misses that the last two hours of speakers were in support of the bill and that more speakers will present on April 30. The stories that were shared in support of protecting gender expression were important to hear.

Listening to Karen Sharma of the Manitoba Human Rights Commission talk about the importance of adding gender expression to the Human Rights code in Manitoba. Very informative and correcting lots of misconceptions about how the commission works.

Watching the first episode of Andor, while only having the fuzziest memory of what happened during Season 1 two years ago.

This would be a good activity to do with a class to show them how AI will make up meaning. The example I used was a French idiom "Faire rire aux poissons," which means to tell lies. Google's AI had other ideas.

There might be too many chocolate eggs in my house. 🥚🥚🥚

A flock of robins, interspersed with a few woodpeckers, has descended on my neighbourhood. They are everywhere.

Our advanced voting station was hopping this morning.

I'm finishing up a presentation today about online media literacy for the Adolescent Literacy Summit on Wednesday. I am looking forward to seeing folks there!

If you believed in house hippos, you’re not alone! Anyone can fall for misinformation – that's why fact-checking matters. In an election, it’s more important than ever to check before you share. Learn how at www.breakthefake.ca #BreaktheFake #AprilFools #househippo

On Transgender Day of Visibility, let's talk about some good books that center transgender characters, affirm trans identity, and bring joy. teacherbees.ca/books-with-t...