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Sam Purpose of education: Revised

“Institutions become dysfunctional when they do not accomplish the purposes for which they were created. Schools were created to be places of true learning, places where the true natures of children would be allowed to grow and flourish. By this definition, there are too many students for whom school is not ‘working." (Reist, The Dysfunctional School,2007) I believe we are grossly mistaken if we believe that "[s]chools were created to be places of true learning, places where the true natures of… Continue

Added by Sam on November 17, 2009 at 9:30pm — 2 Comments

Lorna Costantini Parents as Partners welcomes People for Education at Edtechtalk Monday Oct 19, 2009

Monday October 19, 2009 at 9:00 PM EDT Jacqui Strachan, Gay Stephenson, People for Education Tanya Weiner Ottawa Carleton Assembly of School Councils and Ross Button Upper Canada District School Board will join show hosts Lorna Costantini, Cindy Seibel and Matt Montagne in a discussion about communicating with parents using websites and ning networks. You can join the show in the chat room by logging in at www.edtechtalk.com/live If yo… Continue

Added by Lorna Costantini on October 17, 2009 at 10:35pm — No Comments

Annie Kidder School Information Finders, new education Bills and elementary curriculum reviews

I'm going to try and keep everyone updated at least once a week about all the goings on in education - and maybe with bits of gossip from the front. We go to a lot of meetings and there are lots of plans afoot in education - Bills that are going to mean big changes to the way boards work, potential changes to curr… Continue

Added by Annie Kidder on October 17, 2009 at 6:00pm — 11 Comments

Lorna Costantini Did you know 4.0

The need to collaborate and think out of the box is solidified when you listen to how we need to respond to a classroom with out walls. I continue to find the Shift Happens series a learning curve. Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod have released their latest version. The dilemma for school boards is how to keep up with the ever increasing cost of technology.… Continue

Added by Lorna Costantini on September 30, 2009 at 10:05pm — No Comments

Rick MacIvor new thoughts?

http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/underground/index.htm Continue

Added by Rick MacIvor on September 30, 2009 at 4:13pm — No Comments

Sheila Stewart Here comes the sun and back to school.

Great news about Ontario’s weather it seems—finally!! Did I hear 24 degrees in Timmins!? Beautiful, sunny weather right now in Thunder Bay too—looks like we are one of the hot spots—high of 23 degrees today and tomorrow! But..….my kids are back at school today for Sept. 1—ouch, of all the years given this past summer’s weather! I guess it’s “time”, but it still seems odd--this early start before the Labour Day long weekend. For those of you with another week for back to school prep or a few more… Continue

Added by Sheila Stewart on September 1, 2009 at 10:41am — 2 Comments

Catherine Minister axes Provincial Parent Voice

Hello - I read today in Moira MacDonald's column that Minister Wynne has axed the provincial parents group. To be honest when I found out that the Minister was expunging the group out of the education act, the writing was on the wall long ago. I don't think replacing the group with regional PICs will change things unfortunately. All that's going to do is move the frustration felt by parents at the provincial level down to regional level. What's really rich, and something that I agree totally w… Continue

Added by Catherine on June 10, 2009 at 8:21am — 13 Comments

Robert Martellacci May Issue of the MindShare Learning Report featuring an exclusive podcast with Education Minister Kathleen Wynne

This month's issue is focused on our own back yard in the wonderful province of Ontario. Checkout our complimentary issue of the MindShare Learning Report--Canada's Premier Learning & Technology eMagazine. www.mindsharelearning.com Continue

Added by Robert Martellacci on May 21, 2009 at 2:06pm — No Comments

Sunday Harrison about this online community, technical problems?

I am having trouble seeing comments that have been apparently left on my page, according to email forwarded from the site. Any tricks to making it work better? Continue

Added by Sunday Harrison on May 13, 2009 at 9:18pm — 2 Comments

Jan Sugerman Book Chat

October 4, 2009 Not so long ago I chanced upon an interview with Sarah Vowell. Sarah is funny. smart and engaging! She was talking about her new book The Wordy Shipmates and she was so intriguing that I picked up the book. Not only has she written a number of books, she is also the voice of Violet in the animated film The Incredibles… Continue

Added by Jan Sugerman on April 3, 2009 at 9:30am — 7 Comments

Lorna Costantini Director of Education at Niagara Catholic with Laurel Allison Regional School Council Chair on Parent Partnerships

Please join Parents as Partners Webcast on Monday February 16, 2009 at www.edtechtalk.com/live at 9:00PM EST (GMT-5) Show hosts Lorna Costantini, Matt Montagne, Cindy Seibel and CIndy Zautcke will welcome: John Crocco, Director of Education for… Continue

Added by Lorna Costantini on February 11, 2009 at 10:54pm — No Comments

Tony Maxwell Schools as community centres: opening doors

Jacqui, What a fabulous report. I remember when JR Saul spoke two years ago about schools being centres for communities I thought it was right on... I'm glad you guys are highlighting this idea of using schools more...of opening doors for many purposes. Excellent! Tony Continue

Added by Tony Maxwell on January 14, 2009 at 5:36pm — 2 Comments

John Borst Report Calls Online Threats to Children Overblown

There is an article about a report, in today's New York Times which says that "the problem of sexual solicitation of children online ... is not a significant problem." but goes on to say that "the problem of bullying among children, both online and offline, poses a far more serious challenge than the sexual solicitation of minors by adults". One expert is quoted as saying “Social networks are very much like real-world communities that are comprised mostly of good people who are there for… Continue

Added by John Borst on January 14, 2009 at 12:30pm — No Comments

Leo Anti Bully

We all know that no matter how hard we let our Kids play and learn, they end up with issues like bullys. This School year Rainbow schools held it's first anti bully day on September 11 2008. Most schools participated and we ran it well. I invite you all to join Next Scool year, anti bully day on the second Thursday of the new school year. Please encourage your school staff, and kids to put something pink on. Thanks Leo Bisson Chair Rainbow schools Parents involvement Children depend on adult… Continue

Added by Leo on January 12, 2009 at 5:36pm — 1 Comment

Jessica Vorstermans Jean Vanier named Nation Builder of 2008 by the Globe & Mail

'Vulnerability brings us together' He comes from an elite Canadian political family, but Jean Vanier shed his privilege and dedicated his life to creating communities where people with mental handicaps can have meaningful encounters with other human beings. His insights and courage have inspired the world. See full article at: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081225.wnbvanier1227/BNStory/nationbuilder2008/home Continue

Added by Jessica Vorstermans on January 6, 2009 at 10:26am — 2 Comments

John Borst Web2 Magazine launched

Just received word today from my web-friend johnmac more correctly known as John F. McMullen about the new web-based magazine he launched today. Here is his message:

.. has officially launched -- .. read it .. subscribe (it's free… Continue

Added by John Borst on January 2, 2009 at 7:54am — No Comments

John Borst The other side of ICT: 'collective intelligence'; your digital trail and privacy

I can see parents viewing this development as a positive, just like video surveillance. Check out the article in this morning's New York Times: You're Leaving a Digital Trail. What About Privacy? By JOHN MARKOFF An emerging field called collective intelligence could create a… Continue

Added by John Borst on November 30, 2008 at 10:20am — No Comments

John Borst The future of department store catalogues?

I know this is ning-blog is about education and the interaction of ICT but in a way this fits because it is very cutting edge and may be what our children take for granted within the consumer world they will grow into. Beside the festive season is approaching and we all need a little merriment in our… Continue

Added by John Borst on November 30, 2008 at 1:30am — 1 Comment

John Borst The Webkinz phenomena

In my most recent post at Lorna's discussion topicConnecting parents to the classroom using Web 2.0 tools I make reference to Webkinz being referred to in the Manitoba resource on ICT. Since this ning ha… Continue

Added by John Borst on November 28, 2008 at 3:00pm — 1 Comment

John Borst Which direction for child care policy?

One of the areas I am interested in is Early Childhood Education/Care. A few years ago I did a story for Education Today on the Toronto First Duty program at Bruce P.S./ WoodGreen Learning Centre concept as a model Best Start (Ontario) initiative. As you know the Atkinson Foundation no longer is able to support the pilot and the election of the Conservative government at the Federal level has seriously delayed the implementation of anything near a universally affordable ECE/C program. I… Continue

Added by John Borst on November 24, 2008 at 3:00pm — No Comments

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October 4, 2009
Not so long ago I chanced upon a tv interview with Sarah Vowell. She was talking about her new book The Wordy Shipmates and she was funny and intriguing enough that I picked up the book. Not only has she written a number of books, she is also the voice of Violet in the animated film The Incredibles and contributes regularly to the This American Life on Chicago Public Radio
Although I was reading for amusement, information and stories, once again I bumped into education!
The Wordy Shipmates is about the Puritans in the 17 century and Sarah Vowell's childhood in the 20th century and life now in the 21st. The book is a delightful flow of ideas and customs that weave through the narrative of American life. Education was there at the beginning
...Continue....
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Latest Activity

Anthony Wright replied to Deborah Konecny's discussion 'Let's talk more about what we think education is about'
I apologize. I am eager to read other people's contributions but Sheila's question really got me thinking and I wanted to share my thoughts. I think that Sam’s blog – “the Purpose of Education – Revised” is a valuable contribution to this discuss...
14 hours ago
Sam commented on Sam's blog post 'Purpose of education: Revised'
It appears I will have to say something about my editorial decisions, though it takes away from the flow of thought about which I will now write. I have wrestled with the whole idea of censorship and freedom of expression, but I have come to the r...
yesterday
Sheila Stewart replied to Deborah Konecny's discussion 'Let's talk more about what we think education is about'
I really like what you have shared here, Anthony. I am going to mull this over some more, and as you have said/suggested, our education system is focused on producing workers. So for now, I would like to put the question "out there", why might the...
yesterday
Keeth Kumarasamy updated their profile
yesterday
Keeth Kumarasamy updated their profile photo
yesterday
Gay Stephenson commented on Sam's blog post 'Purpose of education: Revised'
Hi Sam and all, I wanted to come back and read all the posts today, as I was struck by a poster in the subway (which Sheila mentioned was coming) from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. I really like your thesis, or whatever you would call it Sam...
yesterday
Anthony Wright left a comment for Gay Stephenson
yesterday
Anthony Wright left a comment for Mike Hunt
yesterday
Charlene Lindsay replied to Charlene Lindsay's discussion 'One School Board Scenerio'
Thank you for your feedback and link with great info Annie! Our school board has already implemented many different clubs, including homework, cubs etc. into our schools in the hopes of having community hubs as it were. I believe this to be succe...
yesterday
Jacqui Strachan replied to Kevin Lester's discussion 'School Parent Council, Fundraising dollars, Bank Account and Reporting'
Hi Kevin, This is a great question, and I look forward to hearing what other people have to say. Our research seems to indicate that it varies from school to school and board to board as to how fundraised money is handled. Since 2005, all fundrais...
yesterday
Anthony Wright left a comment for Jacqui Strachan
yesterday
A blog post by Sam was featured
“Institutions become dysfunctional when they do not accomplish the purposes for which they were created. Schools were created to be places of true learning, places where the true natures of children would be allowed to grow and flourish. By this d...
on Friday
Jacqui Strachan replied to Gord Wyse's discussion 'Draft "Parent Engagement Policy" not going out to PIC's?'
I'm gonna jump in here with a bit more clarification, because the questions Kevin asked are ones that I get asked all the time as the Parent Support Coordinator here at People for Education. There are three main sources of funding for parent enga...
on Thursday
Anthony Wright replied to Deborah Konecny's discussion 'Let's talk more about what we think education is about'
Hi Deborah, I am new to this venue of discourse so forgive me if I am stating nothing new. My background is philosophy (ethics) and political theory. I am unfamiliar with Paolo Freire but now intend to read his book. The issue that stood out for ...
on Thursday
Gord Wyse replied to Gord Wyse's discussion 'Draft "Parent Engagement Policy" not going out to PIC's?'
My view as a PIC chair is there are 2 bread and butter funding sources for parent involvement at the school level. The $500 and the pro-grants. Different PIC's have different ways of communicating with Parents/school councils- some directly throug...
on Thursday
Sheila Stewart replied to Gord Wyse's discussion 'Draft "Parent Engagement Policy" not going out to PIC's?'
Thanks for helping clear that up, Gord. Busy discussion here! Gord, you have touched on something that I have been concerned with, and might be more so ahead in time. Just as "school councils" sometimes get the blame for things--when it is said no...
on Thursday
Annie Kidder replied to Gord Wyse's discussion 'Draft "Parent Engagement Policy" not going out to PIC's?'
Hi Kevin All principals handle the money differently. So the first thing to do is go and ask what his/her policy has been. Some just dock photocopying costs off the amount throughout the year, others hand it over, others keep it in the school bank...
on Thursday
Annie Kidder replied to Gord Wyse's discussion 'Draft "Parent Engagement Policy" not going out to PIC's?'
Gord has it exactly right.
on Thursday
Kevin Lester replied to Gord Wyse's discussion 'Draft "Parent Engagement Policy" not going out to PIC's?'
Hi Gord, Thanks for the answer and clearing up my mis-understanding. So if our Parent Council would go to our Principal and request the $500, we would then be allocated the $500 for parent engagement? Our school does not have a PIC, nor do I think...
on Thursday
Gord Wyse replied to Gord Wyse's discussion 'Draft "Parent Engagement Policy" not going out to PIC's?'
Kevin I believe the blunt answer to your question is School council's receive $500 for parent engagement. Doesn't matter how many kids are in your school. You are confusing the money that is allocated at the Board level. The Board level money is u...
on Thursday

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