TEACHER EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS 

Teachers Face Tough Lessons

London Free Press

2015

Teacher Employment Statistics Report 

OCT

2016

One-third of the graduating teachers who proudly walked across a Western University stage Friday will be unemployed this fall.

This article highlights the job prospects for new teachers over the next decade.

See also the OCT Report below.

Click here for: Career Prospects 2015

Click here for: OCT Employment Projections 2016

21st Century Strategies 

Puppets in the Classroom
A great ELL Strategy!!!

Check out this amazing site for Puppets in the classroom.
Full of resources and ideas!!!

Click Here:  Puppets In Practice 

Also Posted  to the ESL/ELL Tab

Special Athlete Track Meet - YEAR 30! 
June 21,  2017!!!! 

Thanks to everyone that participated and helped to run this event for 30 years and for always making it a fabulous day! 

This year we had 350 athletes from 50 schools participate at Garth Webb High School. 

We started with 12 athletes in 1988 when parent Linda Leppek and Physical Education Consultant, Sue Amos started the event 30 years ago.

I was taking adapted Physical Education for my Phys. Ed. Specialist at the University of Toronto that year and joined them that summer when I phoned Sue Amos and said I had an idea. We had incredible chemistry in putting this together for the first few years.  The rest is history.

Thanks to the Special Education Department for years of support. Especially the support I received in the early years, in 1998 to 2008 with Special Education Coordinator Deb Wood and Superintendent Brenda Kearney.  Special mention to Susan Pritchard for her collaborative leadership and amazing secretarial staff through the previous 8 years: Hilary Francey, Mary-Jane Ritchie, Carol Ahern, and Carol Jack.

Thanks to a very supportive SEAC. They were always there supporting athletes.

Thanks to very supportive Education Directors, Superintendents and Trustees through all these years.

Thanks to incredible Educational Assistants and Educational Support Workers who supported their athletes and cheered them on.

Thanks especially  to my team of  Field Marshalls: Corinne Stratford, Leslie Davis , Barry Koepke and Alison McGurk Pabst, for the amazing job of running this event for decades.   Through the years they brought students officials from a variety of schools, who ran the events with incredible enthusiasm and leadership.

Thanks to Steve Morrison for taking over at the mike and for announcing with enthusiasm and to Shelley Gauthier for running Boccia for the last few years.

Watch an outstanding synopsis of the day on this great short video by our board media specialist, Jason Misner.

https://youtu.be/MssK_CZLvq4

Also posted to the Special Education Tab

Truth and Reconciliation 

July 1st, 2017 - A special day for important conversations.

We have a lot of work to do on this action plan.

As we move past the celebrations of Canada's 150th Birthday, we must look at the diverse issues and problems we face and understand the different stake holders and their points of view. Part of our national family is hurting, and no wonder when we look at the history of how our First Nations people were treated...and how they are still treated. It's had a huge inter-generational impact and severe consequences. 

Our own Chancellor, Shirley Cheechoo at Brock University is a First Nations woman and film maker. Her personal story of assimilation and her life in residential settings is heart wrenching. She survived totally inhumane conditions that no human should have been subjected too.

This short clip is worth watching to help us all understand the issues at hand and to help everyone to start thinking about, how in our sphere of influence, we can make a positive difference. It's been swept under the rug long enough but we are taking steps in the right direction with the Truth and Reconciliation Calls For Action.

It's time for improved understanding of the issues and time for action.

What can you do?
Share the video and start the conversation and your ideas.

Maclean's added a new video: Why some Indigenous people are calling out Canada 150.

Also posted to the First Nations Tab above .

JOHN DEWEY

A PROGRESSIVIST PHILOSOPHY

Fun, informative and thought provoking for the 21st Century Educator
 Check out this sites 2 videos on John Dewey

Listen to his thoughts might have been on:
- technology and how it should be implemented
-  how students learn best
- how classrooms should be designed today to develop future ready students

Click here for the video's on:>> John Dewey and Progressivist Thought 

http://www.thepositiveencourager.global/john-deweys-approach-to-doing-positive-work/

Also Posted to the Technology Tab and Blog Tab

THE SCHOOL IN THE CLOUD

THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION. NEXT STEPS!

In this TEDx Talk, Professor Sugata Mitra presents what the future of learning will look like (2016).

Another learning revolution is now taking place.
Have you noticed?

Schools as we know them now are outdated.

Dr. Mitra's last study, "The Computer in the Wall Project", concluded that kids could learn complex things without adult intervention. TEDx gave Dr. Mitra, one million dollars to design his next project.

Do we need lecture halls anymore?

Do we need to memorize knowledge anymore, when everything we want or need to know is right on our phone?

The internet is now a non human intelligent entity that can answer our questions.

Take a look at this video to see how Dr. Mitra spent the money and developed his next research project called "The School in the Cloud.

Click here for the video:>> The School in the Cloud.

Click here for Dr. Mitra's thoughts on the future of University. >> The Future of University

Posted to the Technology tab of this Web / Blog April 28th, 2014.

THE BRAIN AND LEARNING

An outstanding TEDx Talk on the brain and learning.

How does short term memory work?
How can you improve long term memory?

How does the brain change chemically, physically and operate as an integrated network?
What are the effects of these 3  changes on learning?

Check out this video and find out the answers to the above questions.
Your brain will change in the process of watching this video.
Find out how!

Click here for the video: >> The Brain and Learning

Posted to the tech tab above April 28th. 2017.

ETFO RESOURCE MANUAL  ......absolutely excellent!!


THE HEART AND ART  OF TEACHING AND LEARNING

PRACTICAL IDEAS AND RESOURCES FOR BEGINNING TEACHERS

This is an outstanding document for new or seasoned teachers. 
This is a must see!!!!
Written by ETFO members and teachers who wish to share their expertise.

Jeanne Gibbs, who developed the research based program called Tribes 
is referenced throughout the chapters too.  

One can see her influence in various chapters that talk about great strategies that develop an environment conducive to learning. 

TOPICS: 
- Community Circle Ideas
- Building Community
- Summer Post Cards
- Building an Environment Where You Can Take Risks 
- Inclusion
- Addressing Diversity
- Interest Surveys
- Energizers
- Cheers / Applauses / Appreciations
- Making Learning Fun
- Modeling
- How to Build Relationships
- Classroom Layout Ideas and Photos
- Positive Consequences!!! 
- Collaborative Learning 
- Marzano's 9 Strategies
- Inquiry Learning
- Mind Mapping /  Life Maps 
- Conflict Resolution with Class
- Reporting Tips
- Interview Tips
- Student Lead Conferences
- Portfolios
- Technology
- ePortfolios
- Field Trips Preparation
- OT TIPS for Supply Teaching

CLICK HERE to connect >>  The Heart and Art of Teaching

Also posted to the following Tabs above on April 11, 2017.
- Strategies 
- Classroom Management

_________________________________________________________________
 

BRAIN HACKING

HOW SOCIAL MEDIA KEEPS YOU ON YOUR CELL PHONE

Neuroscience and Psychology

Unconscious Neural Engagement and Dopamine Response

Watch this 60 Minute Report with Anderson Cooper that was aired April, 2017.

Cell Phones and Social Media have you hooked.  Find Out Why!

An anxiety response to lack of stimulus.

Start a great discussion with your students, teachers and parents.


Click here to view the videos:  Cell Phones Have You Hooked

Click here for second video:     Social Media and Cell Phones

Click here for article three:     Cell Phones: The Drug of Choice

Posted to the Tech Tab April 2017.

21st CENTURY LEARNING

Its not just authentic it's real!!

The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, 

but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.

                                                                      -Alvin Toffler -

What does learning look like today in Elementary School, High School, College or University?

Plus.........Whats happening in Robotics???

Check out the Robotics Competition at McMaster!!!

Watch Michael Fullan's 6 C's in action in this video clip.

1.  What are the 6 C's??  

    Click here to find out?  6 C's of Education in the 21st Century

2.  Watch McMaster University Engineering students and professors put the 6 C's into action.

    Click here for the article and scroll down to the video>> 21St Century Learning

Also posted to  the following Tabs above April 9th, 2017.
  
-- Technology Tab

-- Strategies for the New or Seasoned Teacher Tab

WHY DIGITAL LEARNING IS RESHAPING EDUCATION

Check out these articles on the Techedvocate Blog Site

THE TECHEDVOCATE BLOG
The Blog Site is found here. Click here: >> The Techedvocate Blog


Why Digital Learning is Reshaping Education
Click Here for the article >>  Digital Learning Is Reshaping Education


Why Learning To Code Is So Important for Children
Click Here for the article >> Why Learning To Code is so Important for Children 

Posted to the above 2 tabs April 4, 2017:  Blogs That Inspire Tab  and   Technology Tab

LAPTOPS IN LECTURE 

What does the recent research show?

Do students who use laptops, show an improvement in marks and retention of knowledge?

Studies show, it depends on the student natural intelligence, their ability focus on the lesson and avoidance of social media while taking notes.

Check out what the research says!

Click here for the research article: >> The Effect of Laptops In Lecture

Posted April 4, 2017 to the tab above - Blogs That Inspire

DIFFERENTIATION

LEARNING FOR ALL

A Guide to Effective Assessment and Instruction For ALL STUDENTS

Kgdn to Grade 12 ...and beyond!!!

Check out how to diversify program in this outstanding resource guide

Differentiate by manipulating the CONTENT, PROCESS AND PRODUCT ...and More

See Page 19






Click here for this resource:  Learning for All

Also posted above to the  Diversity and Differentiation Tab

14 THINGS THAT ARE OBSOLETE IN 21st CENTURY SCHOOLS!

These are a thought provoking blog posts by Ingvi Hrannar Omarsson 

Check out the links below to see what things he suggests it's time to change. 
Well worth checking out!!!

21st Century Change in Schools 
1. Computer Labs
2. Isolated Classrooms
3. Schools with no Wifi
4. Banning Phones and Tablets
5. Tech director with administrator access
6. Teachers that don't share what they do
7. Schools that don't have Facebook and Twitter
8. Unhealthy cafeteria food
9. Starting school at 8am for teenagers
10. Traditional Libraries
11. All students getting the same courses
12. One size fits all professional development workshops
13. Standardized tests to measure the quality of Education

Plus....he added another article.....

 10 MORE THINGS TO CHANGE IN OBSOLETE SCHOOLS

1. Divided spaces and multiple entrances
2. Hallways
3. Big Bathrooms and shared showers
4. The teacher is the only one with a white board
5. Empty school yards
6. Isolated subjects for 40 to 80 minutes
7. Restricting Learning to the classroom
8. Books, Paper and a lot of photocopying
9. Parent Teacher Interviews for 30 minutes per year
10. Schools that teach to the test are obsolete.

Click here for first 14 changes >> 21st Century Schools 

Click her for the second article of changes >>  More Obsolete Things to Change

Also posted to the tab above called: Blogs That Inspire

Attributes of the 21st Century Teacher

Check out this informative graphic that covers the desired skills and attitudes of educators today.

Include this as a start to your next lecture or staff meeting!!

Put it on your school web page or in a newsletter!

Great school council topic!

This graphic is a great conversation energizer!!!


Click here:  >>>  21st Century Attributes 

Posted above under the Technology Tab

3D Printers

9 Amazing Ways Teachers Can Use 3D Printing 

to Teach Math and Science

There are many learning tasks that can be given to challenge and engage students that include
3D printers.

Check out these ideas posted by "We Are Teachers".

Click here for the article > 3D Printing

Also posted to the technology tab of this blog.

THE LEARNING EXCHANGE RESOURCE BANK

This is an amazing collection of videos, articles and more.
  
It is alphabetized so that information can be quickly located.

Check it out !

Click here:  Learning Exchange Resource Bank 

Posted to the Webcasts and PD Tab 

EduGAINS VIDEOS and RESOURCES

This is an  incredibly rich site that covers everything you want to know about education 
in Ontario today.

It is updated constantly with the latest videos, resources and curriculum documents.

This an Incredible resource for any teacher to learn how to do what they need to do in the classroom and shows you how to do it!  

Enjoy!!!

Click Here for:  EduGAINS HOME PAGE.

 Posted to Webcasts and PD Tab

MYSTERY SKYPE

Watch this video and learn how to use Skype between classrooms in different ways.

Mystery Skype motivates students to try and learn about students and different parts of the world.
Students formulate questions to unlock their mystery classroom.

Watch this video to find out all about this strategy.

Click here for: Mystery Skype

Also posted to the Technology Tab

 

----------------------------------------------------------

TWITTER IN THE CLASSROOM

This is a Hamilton teacher  using Twitter to consolidate a learning task.

An authentic audience is engaging.
Sharing your learning is exciting.

Click Here For:  Twitter Online

Posted to the Web/Blog Feb. 18. 2017.

  ----------------------------------------------------------

FACEBOOK LIVE or POSTED VIDEO

A 21st Century Strategy to share learning and to engage students.

Check out this video by one of our Brock Staff, Joanne Walsh, who is in Marie Guests classroom.

Note the Strategies being used:
 - Inquiry Based Learning

- KWLD Chart to use for Investigations
  What Do You Know?
  What Do You Want to Know
  What Have You Learned?
  What Will You Do With What You Have Learned?

- Gallery Walk

 Click here for Facebook Live:  Video

Posted to the Web/Blog Feb. 18. 2017.

  ----------------------------------------------------------

Online International Class Discussion Tool

How Cross-Cultural Dialogue

 Builds Critical Thinking and Empathy

Have a look at this online tool that connects classrooms safely around the world.

Use questions to guide the conversation to enhance critical thinking, and global learning.

Foster productive dialogue skills in today’s globally aware students.
Develop relationships and build international understanding and friendships. 
Breakdown stereotypes. Build Empathy.

The program is called Generation Global.

Click here and check it out. Cross Cultural Dialogue


Posted to webpage / blog February, 8th, 2017.

----------------------------------------------------------

BLOOMS DIGITAL TAXONOMY 

High Yield Strategies for Assessment

Check out this great article I received from Chuck Philips
Chuck has been an Apple Education Professional Development Specialist for years.

Take a look how you can use digital tools to help with assessment.

Click Here for: Blooms Digital Taxonomy Assessment Tools


Posted to this Blog January 3rd, 2017
 
----------------------------------------------------------

TECHNIQUES TO GET YOUR CLASSES ATTENTION 

This article is full of ideas to get your classes attention in a fun way.

Check out the right hand sidebar for more interesting articles from TeachThought!

20 Ways to Get Your Classes Attention with Tech Too!

5o Best Smart Phone Apps

55 iPad Apps

and more....

Click Here:  Strategies That Work

Also posted to this web/blogs High Strategies Yield Tab.
Posted to the Blog Nov. 23, 2016.

----------------------------------------------------------

GLOBAL AUDIENCE PROJECT

CONNECT YOUR CLASS TO THE WORLD

Have a look at this new site to engage your students in International Education opportunities.

Share a project!

Be an audience!

Browse a database of work!

Thanks to Sylvia Duckworth for sharing!


Click Here to go to the site!!!! Global Education project


Also posted to blog October, 17th, 2016.

----------------------------------------------------------

 Smart Phones in the Classroom

How can Smart Phones be implemented 

effectively into your classroom?

Click Here to examine the issue: Smart Phones
 
Click Here for: 50 Reasons to Use Smart Phones in Class 


Blog: Sept. 2016, January 2015 and under Philosophical Strategy Articles 

----------------------------------------------------------

 Great Technology Ideas to Teach Writing 


Click Here: Great Apps to Teach Writing
-----------------------------------------------------------
How to Use Technology in The Classroom

Click Here: How to make a difference with technology


See the chart on how to use technology! 

-----------------------------------------------------------
Mobil Learning 

Click Here: for Link by Mind Shift

5 Essential Insights About Mobil Learning 

-----------------------------------------------------------


Social Media

 CLICK HERE: Professional Advisory

PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY – USE OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL MEDIA 

VIDEO - SOCIAL MEDIA ADVISORY ON ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION

-----------------------------------------------------------

 Google Drive in the Classroom

A student sent me these 2 amazing articles today.

They are too good not to share!!

Check the related posts at the bottom of the articles.  

Thanks Alexis!

CLICK HERE FOR: 12 ROLES For GOOGLE DRIVE IN THE CLASSROOM


TEN WAYS TEACHER PLANNING NEEDS TO ADJUST TO THE GOOGLE GENERATION


-------------------------------------------------------------

iPads In Education 
uses, benefits, and challenges

An outstanding study! 

Easy to read,

Great graphic organizers to show data

Clear data lists

Excellent Summaries and Conclusion

A 2013 survey of 6,057 students and 302 teachers in Quebec (Canada)

Preliminary Report of Key Findings 

By:  Thierry KARSENTI

        Aurélien FIEVEZA

 CLICK HERE: iPads In Education

-------------------------------------------------------------

START UP CANADA

2016 National Startup Canada Award Winners

Lots of Great Technology Research! 

I posted this because every teacher is entrepreneur in the classroom.

Have a look at the the Entrepreneurship 3 Part AQ .

Brock has an Entrepreneurial Centre.

A concentration in entrepreneurship provides you with the knowledge and skills required to start your own business or work in the small business sector. Areas related to entrepreneurship include family business, social entrepreneurship (i.e. non‐profit firms), independent entrepreneurship (i.e. starting a for‐profit firm), and corporate entrepreneurship. Career opportunities can include starting your own company or working in the development of new business opportunities within existing companies.

CLICK HERE:  https://brocku.ca/business/future/undergraduate/programs/BBA/entrepreneurship

Today we must foster learning tasks that foster creative thinking and Entrepreneurial spirit.  

Congratulations to the 2016 Startup Canada Awards winners, each of whom have been recognized by their peers as strong role models for Canadians of all ages and entrepreneurs across all sectors for championing a culture of entrepreneurship,” said Brenda Halloran, Chair of the Startup Canada Board of Directors.

 “Each recipient is driving impact in Canada and globally, and represent the greatness and diversity of Canada’s entrepreneur community.”

Category 1 – Advancing The Environment and Culture for Entrepreneurship in Canada

Category 2 – Entrepreneur-led Businesses Demonstrating Excellence

Category 3 – Exemplifying the Spirit of Canadian Entrepreneurship

Category 4 – Outstanding Impact and Enduring Legacy in Canadian Entrepreneurship

CLICK HERE FOR:   THE 2016 WINNERS

On a Personal Note, Congratulations to my niece  Meredith J. Powell

She won the Category 1 - 2016 Startup Canada Entrepreneur Promotion Award

She Co-Founded, The Next Big Thing in Vancouver. 

Click here for: "THE NEXT BEST THING"

This entry is also posted to this Blog on Nov. 30th, 2016.

FACEBOOK LIVE 

A 21st Century Strategy to share learning and to engage students.

Check out this video by one of our Brock Staff, Joanne Walsh, who is in Marie Guests classroom.

Note the Strategies being used:
 - Inquiry Based Learning

- KWLD Chart to use for Investigations
  What Do You Know?
  What Do You Want to Know?
  What Have You Learned?
  What Will You Do With What You Have Learned?

- Gallery Walk

 Click here for Facebook Live:  Video

Also posted to technology Tab

THE 7 ESSENTIAL PRINCIPALS of INNOVATIVE LEARNING


7 PRINCIPALS:
1. Learners have to be at the center of what happens in the classroom.
2. Learning is a social practice and can’t happen alone. 
3. Emotions are an integral part of learning.  
4. Learners are different.
5. Students need to be stretched, but not too much.
6. Assessment should be for learning, not of learning. 
7. Learning needs to be connected across disciplines and reach out into the real world.
 
 Check out this informative article.  
 It has excellent ideas to reflect on and to make part of your professional practice. 

Click Here:  >>> 7 Principals of Innovative Learning

Also posted to the Strategies for the New Or Seasoned Teacher Tab

Online International Class Discussion Tool

How Cross-Cultural Dialogue

 Builds Critical Thinking and Empathy

Have a look at this online tool that connects classrooms safely around the world.

Use questions to guide the conversation to enhance critical thinking, and global learning.

Foster productive dialogue skills in today’s globally aware students.
Develop relationships and build international understanding and friendships. 
Breakdown stereotypes. Build Empathy.

The program is called Generation Global.

Click here and check it out. Cross Cultural Dialogue


Also posted to International Education Tab and Technology Tab

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Brock University Posting

From the Heart "What do we do?"​ 

7 Actions to Combat Islamophobia

Check out these strategies to see what you can do to

From the Diversity Advocacy Standing Committee of Faculty Board (DASC)

Published on February 01 2017

Click for posting here:  From the Heart.  What Can We Do?

Also posted to Diversity and Differentiation Tab Feb. 7, 2017

-------------------------------------------------------------------

BLOOMS DIGITAL TAXONOMY 

High Yield Strategies for Assessment

Check out this great article I received from Chuck Philips
Chuck has been an Apple Education Professional Development Specialist for years.

Take a look how you can use digital tools to help with assessment.

Click Here for: Blooms Digital Taxonomy Assessment Tools

Also posted to the Technology Tab and Assessment Tab above.