Ella's Blog – Ella Paterson's Portfolio

Weekly Reflection 6

2026-03-03 / epaterson / 0 Comments

This week in Tech we did our POD inquiry checkpoint presentations and completed a SAMR activity. It was really nice to see all the different PODs ideas as well as receiving feedback for ours. I also found it interesting how even though everyone’s topics were different, a lot of them had focus on students mental health, which is very important.

We discussed the SAMR and TPACK models that help with integrating technology into the classroom. In the activity, we redesigned a simple animal research lesson and explained how it fit into Substitution/Augmentation/Modification/Redefinition.

After looking at other groups ideas in the padlet, It was nice to see different approaches in applying SAMR. This activity reinforced how SAMR can guide intentional tech use, and I can see myself looking back to this model to make lessons more engaging.

Link to SAMR and TPACK models:

https://taylorinstitute.ucalgary.ca/resources/SAMR-TPACK

Relearning the violin – Reflection 5

2026-03-03 / epaterson / 0 Comments

This week was exciting because I finished my first violin book! After falling behind the past few weeks I have been working hard to move on to the next book. It felt very rewarding to reach the end of the first book, especially knowing how it felt when I first began. Starting the second book made me realize how much I have actually learned, as I am able to approach pieces with more confidence than before.

That being said, I do not feel 100% confident with everything from the first book yet. There are still certain songs and transitions that feel shaky, and my tone is not always as consistent as I would like. Because of this I have decided to hold off on continuing the second book for a couple for days while I continue to revisit pieces from the first book. I do not want to rush ahead a leave gaps in my foundational skills.

This week had been a great reminder that learning is not linear. Moving forward does not mean abandoning material, but going back and strengthening what you have already learned.

I did not have a chance to record myself this week so I will update this post with a recording when I am able!

Weekly Reflection 5

2026-03-03 / epaterson / 0 Comments

Last week we had the privilege to attend two Focused Ed Professional Development (PD) online sessions with teachers and school staff members. I joined one on The Digital Classroom with Lisa Read, and another on student cybersecurity with Mike Silverton. Both sessions felt very relevant to our future classrooms.

The Digital Classroom session walked us through different online resources available to schools and how to navigate them effectively. I appreciated how practical it was. One resource that stood out to me was 4 Canoes, because it was created through collaboration with Indigenous communities and elders. As a future teacher, I think it is so important to use authentic Indigenous resources, so learning about this platform was really valuable.

The cybersecurity session also made me think more deeply about digital literacy. It focused on topics like strong passwords, digital footprints, and online safety. I realized that we cannot assume students automatically know how to protect themselves online just because they grew up around technology. Overall, these sessions reinforced that teaching with technology also means teaching students how to use it responsibly and safely.

Link to Focused Education Resources:

https://focusedresources.ca/digital-classroom-access

Relearning the violin – Reflection 4

2026-02-26 / epaterson / 0 Comments

This week was very similar to last week progression wise as I didn’t have as much time to practice as I had hoped. I was only able to practice a few times, but during that time I mainly focused on reviewing the same songs rather than learning anything new. Even through I didn’t make big progress, I noticed that I was able to pick things back up a little quicker than when I had first started. I still feel confident in my bow control and note reading, which shows me that the practice I have already put in is sticking. It was helpful to maintain the skills Ive been building instead of putting pressure on myself to constantly improve.

This week reminded me that learning is not always about major growth. Sometimes it is about consistency and maintenance. As a future educator, this is a great reminded that students will also have weeks where they are just holding onto what they have learning, and that is still valuable progress.

Relearning the violin – Reflection 3

2026-02-13 / epaterson / 0 Comments

Over the past week, I have continued working through my first violin book and focusing on improving consistency in my playing. I spent time practicing scales and playing songs I already know while playing closer attention to my bow placement to reduce squeaking and creating a smoother sound. I can hear gradual improvement compared to when I first started.

I’ve been continuing to challenge myself by reading notes without writing in the note names first. Although this was frustrating when I began, I am starting to recognize patterns quicker, and my confidence is improving. This process has been a bog reminder that persistence and repeated practice is key in learning or relearning a skill.

This experience connects to my educational practice because it has helped me reflect on what it feels like to be a beginner learner. As I work through mistakes and gradual improvement, I am reminded of the importance of patience, encouragement, and proper scaffolding when teaching others. Relearning the violin has shown me how small, achievable goals help build confidence and motivation over time!

Relearning the Violin – Reflection 2

2026-02-09 / epaterson

For the past 2 weeks I have been working through my first violin book. I began by just working on my scales, and I have learned a few songs. I’ve already been noticing an improvement in my playing the more I have been practicing. I also decided to challenge myself by blind reading the notes, without writing in the note names before hand. When I first tried this it was a struggle, but it is starting to get easier! I have set a goal for myself for next week to work on staying consistent with playing on the string (sometimes it gets squeaky if my bow placement is off). I have attached an audio clip of me playing London Bridge. It’s still a work in progress, but definitely an improvement from the first time I played!

Weekly Reflection 4

2026-02-02 / epaterson

This week we were given the opportunity to go on a tour of the Pacific School of Innovation & Inquiry (PSII). We were led by the founder of the school, as well as one of the grade 12 students. They began by discussing the average day of a student at PSII, and the overall goals of the students and the school itself. A brief summary of PSII is its a student centred, student led school, where their main focus is that students are in charge of their learning. They use mainly inquiry projects as their main form of learning and assessment. At the beginning of each day the students are responsible to plan out what they’re going to do, what lectures they’re going to attend, and anything else they need to be successful. The set up of the building itself was super cool to see, as they had many alternative spaces (like a recording studio) that you don’t see in a typical school.

I do see the appeal of a school like this, and I can understand why it would work for a lot of people. However, personally this kind of structure would not have worked for me as a high school student. I always liked the structure of a typical school, and I think it helped set me up for university.

Link to PSII website:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://psii.ca/&ved=2ahUKEwj32ue7m82SAxXMweYEHQc4FPAQFnoECCQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3UFmoQfVwukHEnoreC5uY3

Weekly Reflection 3

2026-02-01 / epaterson

This week our focus was the use of artificial intelligence in education. We had a guest lecture presentation by Darcy McKee, who is the SD63 teacher leader in curriculum & innovation. What has really stuck with me since this presentation, was the different examples of ways we can incorporate AI and tech use in our classrooms, in a productive way. I really loved her examples like using green screens to put kids inside their projects, and using games kids already like such as Minecraft, but making it educational!

Link to the BC government digital literacy supports for schools: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/administration/program-management/ai-in-education

Starting from scratch – learning notes and cords

2026-01-29 / epaterson

Last week I began my journey by renting a violin from UVIC. It was free of cost since we are in a music class. Luckily my parents saved all my old violin books, including the very basics like learning note names. My dad is a very musical person, and helped me tune my violin, as well as putting marks on the neck to make finger placement easier. It is nice that even though I don’t remember everything about violin, I do remember certain things like how to set it up and hold the bow. The book I am using to learn is amazing! It has finger placement instructions, as well at note and cord visuals. I am following the book page by page, right now I am on page 24 and can play my D and A cord scale, as well as a few simple songs!

Weekly Reflection 1 & 2

2026-01-27 / epaterson

In week 1 we went over the course syllabus, and set up our websites. I was struggling to figure out how to set up my blog, but I was happy to know that I had support from my professor if needed. In week 2 we mainly talked about privacy, consent, and how to succeed. We also discussed the steps for getting started on our open inquiry projects, which allowed me to stress less, and be more creative!