How to help your child read better

How to help your child read betterThree tips to helping children discover the pleasure of reading Children are struggling to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on their learning, particularly those in younger grades who were already struggling with reading. Fortunately, a University of Alberta research team has created and tested an evidence-based program to help get students back on…

ChatGPT no reason to move away from traditional teaching

ChatGPT no reason to move away from traditional teachingChatGPT is an impressive tool, but it is just that – a tool Artificial intelligence has come a long way. Unlike the rudimentary software of the past, modern-day programs such as ChatGPT are truly impressive. Whether you need a 1,000-word essay summarizing the history of Manitoba, a 500-word article extolling the virtues of your favourite…

Academic freedom one of the foundations of democracy

Academic freedom one of the foundations of democracyWe must never give up the struggle to preserve our right to know Academic freedom is a cornerstone of democracy. Academic freedom, therefore, should be cherished by both the left and the right. When this freedom is threatened, it should concern all of us. Academic freedom is misunderstood by many. As an educator, I want…

Learning styles myth needs to be rejected once and for all

Learning styles myth needs to be rejected once and for allThe learning styles myth perpetuates a falsehood about how students learn Are you a visual learner, an auditory learner, or a tactile-kinaesthetic learner? If you think this is a valid question, then you, like many others, have fallen for one of the most pervasive education myths out there. It’s not hard to test this claim…

2016 a year of dramatic change in education

The implications of some of the biggest stories in public education in 2016

2016 a year of dramatic change in educationCanada's education system has faced a year of upheaval. As we compete in an increasing competitive global market, parents and employers rightfully demand that public education dollars are put to good use. So as a new year approaches, we should look back on some of the biggest stories in public education in 2016 and consider their…

Meaningless education fads have got to go

Schools should instead focus on producing a coherent curriculum, sound lessons and purposeful reading and writing in every discipline

Meaningless education fads have got to goStudent achievement is declining in Nova Scotia. The 2014-15 accountability report from the Department of Education makes that abundantly clear. Barely half of Grade 8 students are meeting expectations in math while the writing skills of Grades 3 and 6 students declined by nearly 20 points in the last two years. Nova Scotia students also…