Use of Technology in Learning

Imagine there's a classroom. I wonder if you can. Imagine one teacher teaching in that classroom. Now imagine more classrooms. Imagine one teacher teaching in all those classrooms. How is it possible you say? Simple - videoconferencing. Through the use of technology, many classrooms in Ontario are changing the way we learn. Students are using online learning communities, moodles, blogs, videoconferencing and yes "cell phones" and PDA's to learn.

Teachers often complain of cell phone text messaging use in the classroom. Why can't students learn to turn it off? Why not turn the negative into a positive? Just today, I noticed a student using a cell phone as a calculator to do her math. With internet access through cell phones, the possibilities are endless.

Yesterday I sat in on a videoconference with a famous author. The author, through the use of videoconferencing, was able to "teach" 3 classrooms simultaneously and might I add, successfully. What an idea!!

A York University initiative called ABEL has enabled many schools in Ontario to use technology to teach their courses. Through access to the latest technology, ABEL teachers can create online chats, blogs, moodle and videoconferencing. My own personal experience with ABEL has been very positive. Students can log onto the moodle with their passwords and see what they have to do this week. They love it!

Use of technology in classrooms can be viewed negatively by some, however, this is a case where the positive outweighs the negative. Technology is here to stay. Why not harness its prowess?

Public vs. Private education

Many (affluent) parents often consider sending their kids to private school. Here in Ontario, there are many private schools to consider (albeit very expensive alternatives) to public schools. Private schools offer lower class sizes and more individualized teacher time. Public schools often are overlooked for their effectiveness in teaching. In my opinion, in Ontario, the public school system offers a superior level of education compared to private schools in Ontario.

Firstly, lets look at what both school systems are based on. Both purport using the Ontario curriculum to deliver information. In fact, teacher training within the public system on the approaches to curriculum is far superior to teacher training within the private realm. In fact, the purpose of a board of education is just that: To facilitate professional development among its teachers which most boards in Ontario do very effectively.

Secondly, public school teachers in Ontario are some of the highest paid teachers in the world. Private schools (largely) do not have similar pay (or benefits or pension) as public schools. Although some do try to match pay, they fall short of offering job security. Private schools offer their teachers an annual renewable contract whereas public school teachers contract are essentially "for life". If you were a teacher, which type of school would attract you? In most cases, the most highly trained teachers teach in the public school system. Public schools mimic, for the most part, societies. Private schools tend to show a more elitist approach to education and therefore do not prepare students adequately for the "real world". Students and teachers of private schools are oblivious to members of the society who "fall" beneath them. Terms such as ADD, Aspergers, LD are foreign to many teachers in the private realm. To conclude, therefore, a public education in Ontario, by far, is the most effective form of education for our kids. Hip, Hip Hooray for Public Education!

Les Langues pour la Communication Orale

Hier, j'ai eu le privilege de juger un compétition d'art oratoire au niveau secondaire. J'étais très imprésionné avec la qualité de la langue et aussi le choix des sujets. Je pense que l'art oratoire permet aux étudiants de s'exprimer dans une façon simple et efficace un point de vue sur n'importe quel sujet. Je me souviens quand j'ai participé à un concours et je ne vais jamais oublier cette expérience. Ma soeur a aussi participé aux plusieurs concours d'art oratoire et elle a très bien réussi. Un de mes étudiants a gagné dans sa catégorie, il y a quelques années. Je pense qu'en présentant oralement, on devient plus confiant. Bien sur ce n'est pas facile de présenter devant un auditoire qui va vous écouter et vous juger mais cela implique certains habilités. C'est une façon de faire face à nos inquiétudes, nos craintes et de réussir contre toute probabilité. Nous vivons dans une société qui souligne l'importance de communiquer clairement nos idées et nos pensées. Pourquoi pas à l'oral?

Really Overrated Museum (ROM)

As a "suburbanite", I have always liked living just outside the city. The trafic and congestion is less, as are the number of people. The downside is that kid-friendly venues such as the Toronto zoo, Ontario Science Centre and the Royal Ontario Museum are all located in Toronto. I have been to the zoo many times, in fact we have a zoo pass - the kids really enjoy it (much more than I do). I still remember the ad (as my dad reminds me everytime we go there) - "There's a place for you in the Metro zoo." I have been to the Science Centre once and it wasn't that bad overall. The worst part was trying to watch a movie about insects on the IMAX screen with a four year old. What a joke. Needless to say we were "outta there" in no time.
When I was in a student in school, I remember going to the ROM. I found it fascinating to see a dead person embalmed and preserved in the Ancient Egyption section of the museum as I studied Ancient Egypt in class. As an adult, going back last week to see the same dead person (many years later) still preserved made me head in the other direction. It's fascinating what a few years can do to you.
My trip to the ROM last week during the March Break was quite the opposite of what I expected.
As we arrived at the ROM we were greeted by a line up outside the building and around the corner. Several ROM people were on hand to greet us and offer us solace by asking us to buy a ROM membership for $140 dollars (or something astronomical like that). You see, by buying a membership, you could bypass the line, and some people did. As for myself and the kids, we were getting in free anyways (some of the perks of my profession). As we finally entered into the building, we were greeted with yet another line up. Tickets finally in hand and 2 hours later (or so it seemed) we went up the elevator to the second floor. Stroller and kid in hand I attempted to see some of the lavish displays but was stopped by a staircase with no elevator or help in sight. Okay I can handle this, I said. Finally some respite, a kids area dedicated to kids. Well they play and then they little one is hungry. I offer him a bite of something as a security guard comes by to let me know that there is no eating here on this level. Down we go to level one again. Find a place to eat, up to level two. Uh Oh. Now we need a diaper change. Find a bathroom - oops no change table - WHAT!! NO CHANGE TABLE!!??? Okay, do diaper change in his stroller. Let kids run about in an open area. Security again - don't touch the poles in the open area - they are painted with special paint. Okay down to the gift shop to get a souvenir - oops line-up again.
Okay we are almost out - phew Daddy is here to pick us up. What a day at the Really Overrated Museum. I think I would have been happier going to the Markham Museum. Sometimes, being a suburbanite isn't so bad after all.

The point is moot

Have you ever been in a discussion with someone and think - "it really doesn't matter?" Who cares anyways? The point is moot. I once went to law school to learn about moot points and the law of course. It was not all I imagined it would be. It was a difficult lesson to learn but sometimes we are destined for something else. You might say - destiny - barf! Who believes in destiny anyways?
Well I do - I am a destiny believer, believe it or not. Certainly choices do influence a person's destiny but I believe that, in the end, destiny will prevail. I know I was destined to be in the profession that I am now. The signs were always there, I just neglected to see them along the way. Sometimes we deny our destiny for one reason or another. Perhaps we think we are too "good" or not "good" enough.
I adore what I do - I miss it when I am away. I influence people. I impact their future in ways I do not even know. I think that people can be happy doing what they do on a day to day basis if they can uncover their destiny. It may take awhile, but one day you will get there. The past is moot, uncover your real destiny to realize true happiness.