By Paul W. Bennett Ontario’s flagship program, e-Learning Ontario, proclaims that “The sky is the limit!” in its marketing message, but the reality is markedly different. Online learning is very much in vogue, considering Apple’s announcement that it is entering into the textbook industry. As a brand new Canadian study, commissioned by the Toronto-based Society for [...]
Archive | Education
The Sky Has Limits: What’s Thwarting Online Learning in Schools?
Posted on 24 February 2012.
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More choice is the key to a quality education
Posted on 28 January 2012.
by Michael Zwaagstrais The recent Saskatchewan government decision to extend provincial funding to independent schools bringsSaskatchewanin line with the practice in the three other western provinces. Saskatchewan independent schools are now eligible for funding equivalent to 50% of the provincial per-student average, provided they follow the provincial curriculum and hire certified teachers. The recent Globe [...]
Taking safety to extremes
Posted on 22 November 2011.
by Michael Zwaagstra Safety first, common sense last. That seems to be the motto when it comes to public schools these days. Earlier this month, the principal of Earl Beatty Public School in Toronto sent a letter to parents informing them that hard balls such as soccer balls, volleyballs, tennis balls, and footballs were now [...]
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More Education Courses Are Not the Solution
Posted on 15 September 2011.
by Michael Zwaagstra Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty thinks teachers don’t spend enough time in education faculties. That much is apparent from his recent pledge to double the length of teacher training programs in Ontario. Currently, prospective teachers in Ontario need to complete a bachelor’s degree and then apply for admission to a faculty of education at [...]
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Cell phone lawsuit should be thrown out
Posted on 28 August 2011.
by Michael Zwaagstra A recent lawsuit against aSaskatchewanschool division threatens to further undermine the ability of schools to establish a safe and orderly learning environment. It’s a case that directly pits the privacy rights of students against the right of administrators to maintain order in their schools. The circumstances behind this lawsuit started out with [...]
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Private funds for public libraries
Posted on 20 August 2011.
by Rondi Adamson Opponents of the privatization of Toronto’s libraries might be interested to know that many of the libraries they hold so dear were originally funded by Scottish-American businessman Andrew Carnegie. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Carnegie funds built more than 2,000 libraries around the world — including 125 in Canada. His [...]
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