Rethinking Learning for the
21st century
The mission of Cohort 21 is to build a community of passionate CIS Ontario educators who are interested in refining and redesigning their practice through the exploration of new pedagogies, ideas and tools.
Your First Step
Registration for Cohort 21 opens in May. CIS Ontario Schools can submit educators from any division, department or role. The Cohort 21 experience runs from October to April. It is made up of four face to face sessions inter-connected by rich online discussion and supported by our passionate team of volunteer facilitators and coaches.
May - June
Building Community
The first face-to-face session is dedicated to building relationships. It is here that we setup the framework and mindset for the year. This session is also about professional learning networks and the tools that enable them. Participants walk away with a new toolkit and community with whom to connect, collaborate and learn.
October
Design Thinking
It is during the 2nd session that the “Action Plan” is launched and innovation begins. Through rich Design Thinking protocols participants are asked to think deeply about their practice and identify a challenge that needs addressing. The day concludes when everyone publishes their thinking to their Cohort 21 blog to allow for personalized feedback and support.
November
Innovation
Each year the third face to face session is held at a non-school location. Cohort 21 has formed unique partnerships with many different start ups and learning organizations. Throughout the day members will hear from special guests, thought leaders and Cohort 21 alumni to help ignite inspiration and continue to support the Action Plan process.
January
The End of the Beginning
The final face-to-face session is a celebration of learning. Cohort members connect in small groups to share and reflect on their Action Plan journeys and commit to bringing their learning back to their own schools. The day ends just as the Cohort 21 experience began: with a commitment to the ongoing process of refining practice and exploring new pedagogies and tools.
April
Powered By learning data
CIS Ontario schools participating
Action Plans
Generated
Member Blog Posts
Community Comments
Tweets to #Cohort21
Visitors from around the world
Member Posts from across the Cohort 21 Network
Reflections of a Teacher-Mom on my new Hyflex Life
This blog has always been a professional reflection space for me, but as I look back on the last seven months one of the biggest
33. The future we go back to with Justin Medved and Garth Nichols
How might we reimagine the future of education that is currently under construction? Today I am joined by the powerful tag team of Justin Medved
Information overload
Information overload has never been greater. Teachers are online looking for resources to support their student learning more than ever. We have Google, Twitter, Instagram,
Under construction... and making #Lemonade
It's time to dust off this old blog and get some ideas flowing again. When I think about all that has happened since my last
Doodling and dancing in 3Oville
Welcome to your Cohort 21 Blog. This journal is an integral part of your Cohort 21 experience. Here you will reflect, share and connect with
Rediscovering My Passion
In my Twitter bio, I describe myself as a passionate educator. Sadly, at the beginning of this school year I started to wonder if that
Engaging Students with Online Discussion
What worked this week? I finally got around to trying out one of my favourite in person learning activities - Socratic Seminars. Over the last
Frances Frei's Three Pillars of Leadership
I'll start by saying I'm now a fangirl of Frances Frei (it only took a couple podcasts/interviews). She is a Harvard Business School professor with
Finding a Direction-Making lessons that fill my bucket during a pandemic
After leaving our first Face to Face meeting last weekend, I took some time to sit down and really reflect on all the 'How Might
Permission in the pandemic
This pandemic has given me moments to pause and reflect - and almost more importantly, permission to try new things, new strategies and new ways
Finding Purpose after 7 Months of Loss
It’s been almost 7 months since my last blog and my last Twitter post: 7 months of what seems like perpetual loss. If you haven’t
Book Review: The Power of Us (David Price)
The US leadership expert Warren G. Bennis once said: "There are two ways of being creative. One can sing and dance. Or one can create
Kicking off Cohort during Covid!
Pivot, shift, change, adjust... whatever you want to call it, Cohort 21 is moving forward with Season 9, launching this weekend (Oct. 3rd). We've made
32. The gifts of right now (a solo episode)
I don't typically do episodes without a guest. There is something comforting about getting to have another "expert" on the show and to let their
Remembering to Breathe
It's Friday and I just sent out a tweet on thinking of things I am grateful for. As I hit the button I realized I
31. Should I send my child to JK?
Schools are set to open in a few weeks, and the plans are not looking promising. Today on the show I talk to my wife
