Among the pandemic of crises—COVID, misinformation, supply chain disruptions—one looms large: teacher burnout and the rising threat to teachers’ mental health. Here we explore these issues and how to do something about them. [By Jim Lang, M.Ed, Ph.D., Associate Faculty, Graduate Studies (Ret'd) Adjunct Professor (Philosophy) (Ret'd), Department of Social Justice Education OISE/University of Toronto]
It’s a common saying: not everyone is cut out to be a teacher. This month we take up the question: why do some teachers quit the profession and why do some stay? Some of those... read more
This month, we offer a grab-bag of educational issues and developments, ranging widely from philosophy and ballroom dancing for elementary students to a list of 52 inspirational quotes for teachers. Plus, Australia is often described... read more
Sexual harassment is in the news daily, and students are talking about it. Teachers and schools need to respond with appropriate lessons and activities, but often teachers fear treading in what they might view as... read more
Every year Canada welcomes 300,000 newcomers and many of them will be populating your classrooms. We start the new year with a focus on advice and resources that could help you meet the challenges involved... read more
This month, we review information and advice for educators who teach autistic students — or, as they are now more commonly described, those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, so-named because it covers a range of developmental... read more
A few years ago, I was observing a Grade Eight class as students delivered their metacognition reports to the class. “Meta-what?” I thought. Having taught this age group at one time, I knew they could... read more
To complete this Googlish issue, it shouldn’t be surprising that Google has an entire branch dedicated to schools and education. According to Google, twenty million students are using Chrome Classroom. If you’d like to explore... read more
Designed for primary and elementary students, this app appears to offer a fun way to learn how to write simple and compound sentences in English. It includes audio reinforcement and progress monitoring. Note: It costs... read more
World Atlas offers a broad array of facts about 260 different countries in the world. Includes human geography, flags, national anthems, quizzes, and, because it’s Google, a street view mode. Drawbacks: Android only, it contains... read more
Do your students need an app that will calculate answers for questions in kinematics, motion, energy, power, gravity, temperature and thermodynamics? Explore this calculator, designed to help high-school students with their physics questions. Works only... read more
If students aren’t reading your emails and handouts, you might consider “Remind,” an app that delivers real-time messaging to an individual, or group, over any phone. All phone numbers remain private, and confidentiality is maintained.... read more
If you’re teaching grades one-to-eight math, this app may be worth a look—the link includes an informational video. Its goal is to make learning math fun by building it into game-playing. Testimonials claim students are... read more
If you’re struggling with a classroom of students who are working in their second language, you might want to consider this translation tool. It works online and offline, and can translate text via smart phones.... read more
“The ultimate goal of self-reflection is to improve the way you teach,” according to Teachhub. Their website presents a short but comprehensive article on reflection, focusing especially on the process. It includes sample questions to ask... read more
The British Council on Teaching English offers this definition of reflective teaching: “Reflective teaching means looking at what you do in the classroom, thinking about why you do it, and thinking about if it works... read more
