teaching and learning for the 21st century
Written by Shelley Thomas
Are our schools hotbeds for innovation and creativity? Does our present curriculum equip students with the tools and knowledge they will need for their futures? How can we ensure that our learning environments are neither hidebound by the familiar and comfortable nor blinded by innovation that might turn out to be an apparition? How are your schools … Continue reading “Making Room: Engineering Hubs of Creativity and Innovation”
Written by Shelley Thomas
The first year of Cohort 21 officially came to a close April 27th at Royal St. George’s College. The final face-to-face provided time for sharing of Action Plans and provided a venue for a year-in-review forum. Members of the Cohort presented their projects in informal roundtable discussions, and provided links to their action plan steps … Continue reading “Open Your Doors: Cohort 21 in Review”
Written by Shelley Thomas
Dialogue is essential for learning. No one acquires real knowledge without it. I asked my students to speak about their education, specifically their studies in literature. Is it true, as many technocrats and administrators would have us believe, that literature, the humanities even, are plummeting like bad stock in the 21st century education market? Is … Continue reading “Words Worth Their Weight”
Written by Shelley Thomas
During the academic year, grade twelve English students examined numerous media articles and broadcasts questioning the place of literature in 21st century curriculum design. Does literature, and all that it can bring, belong on a contemporary syllabus? In an age of rapid technological innovation, decreasing attention spans, job training now driving education reforms across North … Continue reading “A Novel Idea”
Written by Shelley Thomas
Thanks to members of Cohort 21 for another inspired day of instruction and support. The breakout sessions were robust and I enjoyed learning about the various action plans presently underway in our schools. Thanks to Adam Caplan and St. Clement’s School for hosting our third F2F session. Thanks, also, to Garth Nichols (Greenwood College School) and … Continue reading “Next Steps: Third F2F at St. Clement’s School”
Written by Shelley Thomas
What: Over the last few months my grade twelve students and I have been sharing various articles and essays that look at the study of literature and the role that English courses play in what is often referred to as “21st century curriculum” development. These articles are written by educators, English teachers, and administrators and … Continue reading “Fictional Educations and the New Curriculum”
Written by Shelley Thomas
As parents, teachers and students prepared for a new academic year, The Star published an article, written by Michael Reist, titled “Literature is the new Latin”. Reist has 30 years of teaching under his belt and is the author of two books. Under the large image of a smart phone with apps magically appearing and … Continue reading “Something they can use in ‘real life’: The Case for Literature”
