Canadian Council on Learning | Conseil Canadien sur l'Apprentissage

This project developed an effective model for moving new evidence-based research into a large system - in this case the Ontario School system, with over 100,000 teachers). It developed a sustaining partnership between the TeachADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) Research group and the Ontario Public Schools Demonstration schools. Project deliverables included: a curriculum for teaching students with ADHD, an online resource centre (available at: www.teachadhd.ca), training to 80 lead teachers, and an evaluation of the process as well as participant satisfaction. The project has proven to be sustainable as it has been replicated in Ontario resulting in an estimated reach of over 2000 teachers.

This project was designed to enable the exchange of information about innovative and successful professional development practices for teachers in the K-12 system in Newfoundland and Labrador. Members of the network were provided with information on proven successful professional development models implemented in jurisdictions across Canada. The project included face-to-face as well as technology-mediated dialogues to support the exchange of knowledge and experience. Key outcomes of the project included: a website (www.virtualteachercentre.ca/ken) to support ongoing collaboration and knowledge exchange between network members; establishment of a network of education institutions and organizations focussed on the professional development of teachers; and better informed policy-makers, administrators, and professional development officers.

This project featured a provincial forum to allow school communities to exchange knowledge resulting from implementation of the Living Schools program in Ontario. Over 150 participants attended the Healthy Schools Matter forum including partners from the Living School communities, members of the Living School Research Advisory Group and key leaders from education, public health, recreation, research, media, non-profit, private, and government sectors. Several key communication pieces were developed (see www.livingschool.ca) to transfer knowledge about Living Schools including: a video entitled Living School Works, a Living School presentation, a success stories booklet, a video and proceedings of the forum. In addition, a series of key success factors and recommendations for moving healthy schools forward in Ontario was developed. The knowledge gained through the Living Schools initiative in Ontario continues to be transferred in Ontario and across Canada. The knowledge has also been shared with the World Health Organization and the Pan-American Health Organization.

This project was designed to increase the use of the teaching and learning software ePEARL (Electronic Portfolio Encouraging Active Reflective Learning) with a pan Canadian audience of policy makers, educators, students and parents. The goal was to promote student self regulated learning, while enhancing core literacy competencies. In conjunction with research partners, over 400 teachers and consultants were trained in the use of ePEARL - a tool to help students adopt self-regulation strategies such as setting their own process goals, articulating task demands, providing and receiving feedback, and evaluating progress. Products from the initiative include production of a Swap & Share DVD, a teacher and workshop activity guide, a virtual tutorial (http://grover.concordia.ca/epearl/tutorial/), and further development of a wiki ((https://cslp-epearl.wikispaces.com)) for ongoing networking and dissemination of information about ePEARL. As a result of the project, enthusiasm for ePEARL has grown nationally and internationally and funding has been secured to support three annual training institutes over the next three years.

This project involved the development of a comprehensive website (www.learningandviolence.net) to build understanding and provide a broad range of educational resources including original, creative and appealing multi-media resources to address the impacts of violence on learning. The project also developed a knowledge exchange forum - supported by web-based forums and interactive materials on the website - for researchers, educators and others concerned about the impact of violence on learning. The website models a new direction for educational websites designed to provide a hub for collaboration, reach diverse audiences, and achieve a broad range of goals. Given the project's success in terms of the website's effectiveness, the highly involved and synergistic forum, and the forum participants' commitment to further development of the website, partners are eager to continue the project.