Kirsten Thompson

Today, the MERLIN connectivity network reached a 30-year bandwidth usage high of 71.25 Gbps as Manitobans tuned in to watch the Canada women’s national ice hockey team battle for gold. To put this in perspective, a regular day of operations is usually around 35 Gbps.

Go Canada! 💙

#MERLIN_MB
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Lovely MB has granted us another snow day, which means my favourite little coworkers are home with me today

One of our activities? Reading with Learning A-Z which their school licenses through @merlin.mb.ca

Its so great to see the full scope of our work and how it impacts education

#MERLIN_MB

As I took in the MAETL meeting last week it emphasized the importance of trust; as systems grow, trust has to grow with them.

Consistency, shared language, and clear feedback loops help ensure that technology feels reliable; no matter where or how it’s used.

#ToolboxTuesday

Add in the chance to catch up with many of my absolutely favorite ed tech people, see familiar faces, and gain new friends; priceless.

A huge shout out to my planning committee members, fellow presenters, attendees, and everyone who played a role in this great day!

#BYTE2026

Another BYTE Conference is in the books!

From greeting all the excited participants at the registration table with @merlin.mb.ca to joining @maetl.mb.ca for a live podcast recording on "AI in Education" to sharing about Cybersecurity; it was a whirlwind!

All set for the BYTE Conference tomorrow!

Join me in room 110 as I'll be facilitating, "Cybersecurity for Educators" in session slots B & C.

You'll also find me with the @merlin.mb.ca crew working the registration desk.

See you all tomorrow!

Great ideas deserve a platform and Riding the Wave is where educators come together to share, learn, and explore how technology is shaping teaching and learning across Manitoba

Save the date for May 7-8, 2026 and visit ridingthewave.ca for full details

#MERLIN_MB #ThirdPartyThursday #RTW_MB

Technology works best when it respects the people using it.
That means designing with users, protecting time and attention, and building in support. NOT assuming everyone will "figure it out"

The most effective tools feel supportive, not demanding

#ToolboxTuesday

We explored how innovation and responsible automation can elevate, not replace, the essential human work of teaching.

Thank you for having me - I look forward to seeing how you leverage digital technologies to support your role!

BPSD, like all divisions, has a dedicated plan to address goals across a variety of areas. But in a rapidly evolving world, how do we continue to meet these goals while navigating new demands, complex classrooms, and ever-changing expectations?

I'm honoured to have spent today with Beautiful Plains School Division, as their teaching teams from across 14 schools came together for a day of learning in Carberry.

I had the opportunity to deliver an opening keynote as well as both AM and PM breakout sessions.

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Prompt: Draft a cartoon image of me using everything you know about me and the job that I do.

Next week plays host to one of my favourite events of the year, the BYTE Conference!

This event is always a great experience and provides essential PD and networking for Manitoban educators.

Looking forward to seeing everyone there next Friday!

#ThrowbackThursday

A little reminder as the school year continues to move quickly...

There are still several public training sessions ahead for me this year.

If we’re crossing paths at an upcoming session, I’m excited to learn with you! If you haven't yet registered please reach out for more info.

#MERLIN_MB

Literacy in the digital age includes knowing who is behind the words you read online

Meet Audrey & Kirsten, MERLIN’s communications team. We are who is behind the screen writing emails, sharing updates & helping tell MERLIN’s story across our digital channels

#MERLIN_MB #WhoWeAreWednesday

Clear roles, transparent defaults, and predictable processes help people understand not just how a system works, but why it works the way it does.

When systems are designed with clarity and intention, trust becomes part of the experience and not an added layer.

#ToolboxTuesday

Technology only works when people trust the systems behind it: the tools, the data, the processes, and the decisions.

This trust doesn’t happen after a new software is implemented; it’s designed in from the start.

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When those foundations are in place, innovation doesn’t feel risky; it feels possible.

At MERLIN, a lot of the work happens quietly behind the scenes, helping educators focus on teaching & learning. Because when systems are dependable, the future is a little easier to face... shadow or no shadow.

If a groundhog can predict the future by popping out of a hole, imagine what consistent systems can do.

In education and technology, trust isn’t built on surprises; it’s built on patterns.
- Reliable infrastructure
- Clear governance
- Support that shows up day after day.

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Today's @merlin.mb.ca Partner Program Meeting has left me energized and inspired. There is so much to learn when we gather together and today was a full agenda!

I'm thankful for the opportunity to have participated as panel moderator and *part time* emcee.

#MERLIN_MB

My colleague and bestie @sigthenerd.bsky.social had gone before and recommended it! We went together this time but there was also a group of 3 from Winnipeg School Division there as well this year

It was such a good experience

One of the most important digital skills is knowing when to NOT reach for a tool.

Sometimes a conversation is better than an email, thoughtful judgment matters more than automation, and asynchronous work respects time and focus.

#ToolboxTuesday

The jetlag may be settled but I am still processing everything that I learned last week at BETT

Being able to network & learn from the ed tech softwares that I use everyday was invaluable. Qs that I've had, troubleshooting I've been curious about, opportunities I didn't know existed; all solved!

Day 1 at BETT was an absolute whirlwind! With over 35,000 people from 125+ countries, the sharing and networking is beyond anything I've ever experienced.

Bring on day 2!

Honoured to have been asked to join these great voices at the provincial "AI in Education Summit" today in Winnipeg

This evening I’m attending a ManACE meeting; an organization I’ve been proud to serve with since 2013. Shout out to Mike Nantais for taking this photo to commemorate my first meeting almost 13 years ago!

I encourage you to check out ManACE's website and follow along with them online to learn more!

Strong digital systems aren’t just about tools, they’re about shared understanding.

Clear file naming, purposeful meetings, and a single source of truth help teams collaborate more effectively and spend less time untangling confusion.

#ToolboxTuesday

January is often when we’re tempted to add more: more tools, more initiatives, more goals. This year, I’m thinking differently and, if you missed it, on Friday I shared some of the things I am getting rid of. Intentional digital practice starts with asking WHY before asking WHAT.

This month’s focus on intentional digital practice has me paying closer attention to what I don’t need to do.

This isn’t about restriction; it’s about choosing what truly supports how we work and learn.