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
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Book Review: The Infinite Game (Sinek)
Chess is not an infinite game, nor is football. These have defined beginnings , ends and winners. In his latest book, Simon Sinek argues that
Range: A book review for "Generalists"
Do you want to be good at something? Do you want to excel or be the best? How might you do this? Start early, focus
Book Review: Everything is F*cked: A book about hope
Everything is f*cked. Really? That's some bold language to use to describe the world. Sure, you might even agree that this sentiment sums up the
Capra & Luisi's The Systems View of Life: A Unifying Vision
(A book review. Sort of.) I had heard of Fritjof Capra in university, but my classmates and I were all so caught up with Arne
13 Reasons Why: High School Doesn't Have to SUCK. (unabridged)
After witnessing the impact Cohort21 has had on its many participants over the years, I found myself in a conversation at our 3rd F2F (Season
Creative Confidence & Inclusion ... there's not an app for that ...
I've been mulling over @ljensen's comment on my last blog about 'updating my worldview' as pertains to creative confidence: "I am wondering what it is
Mindfulness Bottles
My Design and Build co-curricular group made these mindfulness bottles. When students are feeling upset or anxious they shake one and breath deeply as
How might we...
...get out from under the pile of stuff we have to do to engage with and enjoy this process fully and completely. Maybe that should
I have 20/20 vision but can't see everything
It's been awhile since I've been able to hit the blog. Not from laziness, but because I've been so mentally exhausted by the time I
Little knot here, Russ!
Here I am! To my loyal followers....sorry for the silence. This little image gives a look into my mind when it comes to my Cohort
GEODES: more than meets the eye
HMW incorporate vertical integration into our schedule to promote student engagement and enhance teaching practice? I hoped to experiment with the vertical integration concept in
My musical action plan begins...
I really dislike having to assign a 'grade' for primary children in their music classes. This struggle with assessment was what led me to Cohort
An Alternative to Due Dates
Of the many memories I have from high school, many come from my grade 9 physical education teacher. On several occasions, he would have us
Standing Still in the Galapagos
This past winter holiday, my family took the trip of a lifetime. We travelled to Quito, Ecuador and from there on to the Galapagos Islands
13 Reasons Why: High School Doesn't Have to SUCK.
Starting tomorrow there are 13 days until our next Cohort21 F2F. I will be submitting a separate slide each day to help get you pumped
