Dive In!

Through decades of training and continual professional development, teachers grow into experienced educators with strong content knowledge and a deep toolbox of pedagogical strategies.  In addition, educators spend countless hours establishing a positive and supportive learning climate to ensure the social, emotional and academic development of their students.  Despite having so many strengths, many educators …

Accessibility for All

  The social model of disability is a powerful ideology that has shifted thinking, laws, and infrastructure worldwide.  The notion that it is the responsibility of everyone in society to remove barriers for those with disabilities rings true in schools across the DDSB.  A major impact of the introduction of Chromebooks is that all students …

Embrace the Benefits of Innovative, Flexible Classrooms.

As a Technology Coach, I have the opportunity to connect with many innovative and creative educators.  This post will highlight one of those educators, Ryan O'Neil and his Grade 6-8 students at Valley Farm Public School in Pickering.   From our first meeting, Mr. O'Neil was candid about his trepidation to transition his classroom into …

Action Instead of Distraction

“Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (Turn and face the strange)” David Bowie Being in a space where students are engaged, excited and motivated to learn is one of the true joys of teaching.  What's not so joyous is feeling as if you are losing the battle to every distraction the online world provides. Mitigating this balance is challenging.  I …

Roll Out Success!

As a new member of the Innovative Education Team I was involved in a well-planned and well-executed phase two Chromebook roll-out.  While visiting schools to distribute the hardware and share orientations in classrooms there were a number of Grade 10 students who expressed their excitement about receiving their own Chromebook. There was definitely a positive …