Mixed Media ISP Assignments

In the senior grades, students of English are almost always required to complete an ISP (or, as some call it, an ISU). Since this is mostly done independently, having this unit online is helpful for both teacher (not having to re-photocopy lost handouts throughout the assignment) and the student (having the entire project and all of its resources available at all times). In this mixed-media ISP, students will complete a reading journal online, a multimedia essay, and a "traditonal" literary essay (but it still uses technology!). To read more, click here.

Boys n' Literacy

It is often thoght that boys lag behind girls when it comes to literacy, and though this is true, recent data shows that the problem is not nearly as serious as it is made out to be. That being said, boys still tend to be behind in both OSSLT results, as well as earning credits in their English courses. So, not to dismiss the matter entirely, a Proposal. (Unfortunately the charts did not translate when put into google docs, but I have filled in the data that the charts represented).

Learning from each other

It's one thing to be able to memorize and regurgitate information given to you by your teacher. It's quite another to be able to take that knowledge and information, and learn it enough to be able to teach it to your peers. In this assignment, used in an ENG 3U course, students take a look at non-fiction writing and are asked to analyze it until they are able to teach it to their peers. This assignment can be adapted for all levels and grades. For more, click here.

Online Learning

With an ever increasing dependency on the internet for our everyday lives, it is no surprise that online learning increases in popularity each and every school year. While this method of learning works for many, it is interesting to look at why it sometimes fails. For more, click here.

Comparing the Curriculum in Alberta and Ontario

In 2003, the Ontario Ministry of Education developed a schedule for revision of all subjects. Most recently, the English curriculum was updated in 2007.

Alberta, on the other hand, claims to have one of the best education systems in the world, stating that "several countries around the world, including China, Hong Kong, the Republic of Ireland, and Thailand, have expressed interest in their curriculum".

This report will examine the similarities and differences between Alberta and Ontario, and evaluate which of the two is more conducive to student success.

Alberta and America... two different looks at educational accountability.

It is interesting to compare the response of Alberta and the United States in response to the push for educational accountability. While both certainly did respond, both on the side of policy makers and educators, here is a look at how the responses differed using Diane Ravitch's "A History of Accountability" and Alberta's Teacher Association article "Accountability in Education"

Accountability in Education- A Canadian Perspective

In Lorna M. Earl's article "Accountability: Where do Teachers Fit?", she examines a Canadian perspective of accountability and the responsibility of teachers. To read a summary of this article, click here.