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Top 10 Issue #234, July 29, 2019
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Dear Thought Leader,
Happy Monday! I trust you're enjoying some the great summer weather and a little less screen time! On that note, here's a great article courtesy of MediaSmarts by a parent Blogger, Balancing your family’s media consumption over the summer.
Our top news item features CMEC's 108th session last week and their focus on Indigenous education and reconciliation, and reimagining the future of K-12 and postsecondary education in the context of the changing nature of work, of provincial and territorial ministers responsible for education. I'm looking forward to a reflection podcast with The Honourable Melanie Mark, Chair of CMEC and Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training for British Columbia.
K12 Schools in Canada can look forward to a whole lot more STEM & Coding, thanks to the Feds recent and on ongoing announcements leading up to the election. Actua Receives $12 Million in Funding from the Government of Canada's CanCode Program.
As we approach the summer mid-point, it's actually a key planning time for us at MindShare with back to school fast approaching, we have a number of exciting initiatives in the works for the 2019-2020 back to school year:
1. EdTech Industry Bootcamp/Webinar September 5th -- Stay tuned for details!
2. 10th Canadian EdTech Summit, December 5-6 -- Limited speaking & sponsor opportunities are currently available.
3. 12th Schools of the Future Challenge & Launch of Canada's Network of Innovative Schools program
The tale of two awesome startups! Be sure to have a listen to my podcasts of the week with Phil Cutler, CEO & Co-founder GradeSlam, and Salar Chagpar, CEO & Founder of Prepr. Both share their passion for making an impact on education, challenges and opportunities.
Watch for next week's podcast that will feature Tyson Johnson, COO, CyberNB. They are catalysts in the Cyber Titan national student competition.
I hope you enjoy our special Top 10 stories in Canadian EdTech powered by MindShare Learning. Our team works tirelessly to bring you the very best insight in the world of Canadian EdTech.
With that, a friendly reminder to send us your comments, tips, research, success stories and upcoming events!
Until next time, keep the digital learning curve steep!
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P.S. We are pleased to offer our valued members of the MindShare Community a Special Early Bird $100 Discount to our 10th Anniversary Canadian EdTech Leadership Summit, December 5-6 Vancouver Use discount code: canan100
Robert Martellacci, M.A. EdTech
President, MindShare Learning Technology™
Chief Digital Publisher, The MindShare Learning Report™
Founder, MindShare Workspace
Co-founder & President C21 Canada™
Follow us on Twitter @MindShareLearn
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Quote of the Week
"
CMEC 108 gave ministers the opportunity to think about the future of education in our provinces and territories," said Minister Mark. "Learners are relying on us to deliver on our commitments for equitable, high-quality education so that all Canadians reach their full potential in work and in life and to drive our country's economic future."
--The Honourable Melanie Mark, Chair of CMEC and Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training for British Columbia, led the two-day event.
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A MindShare Learning Moment Podcast with
Philip A. Cutler
Shares his passion for nuturing students success & his journey as a StartUp
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This Week in Canadian EdTech |
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This Week in CDN #edtech w/ special guest, Salar Chagpar, CEO & Chief Visioneer of Prepr |
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1. Provincial and Territorial Ministers Focus on Indigenous Education and the Future of Education at CMEC 108
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newswire.ca: July 25, 2019 |
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VICTORIA, July 25, 2019 /CNW/ - Indigenous education and reconciliation, and reimagining the future of K-12 and postsecondary education in the context of the changing nature of work, were the main focus of provincial and territorial ministers responsible for education as they met this week in Victoria, on the traditional territory of the Lkwungen (Songhees) and Wyomilth (Esquimalt) peoples of the Coast Salish Nation, for the 108th meeting of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC).
The Honourable Melanie Mark, Chair of CMEC and Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training for British Columbia, led the two-day event.
"CMEC 108 gave ministers the opportunity to think about the future of education in our provinces and territories," said Minister Mark. "Learners are relying on us to deliver on our commitments for equitable, high-quality education so that all Canadians reach their full potential in work and in life and to drive our country's economic future."
Ministers discussed ways to ensure that all learners get the skills and training they need to be informed citizens, ready to meet the challenges of the future. Ministers also shared their thoughts on how to support apprenticeships, in particular to address the significant shortages in trades being experienced in provinces and territories. |
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2. Expanding Learning Opportunities in STEM and Skilled Trades |
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News.Ontario.ca: July 26, 2019 |
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TORONTO — Ontario is putting a renewed focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math as well as the skilled trades.
Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce and Alberta Education Minister Adriana LaGrange signed an agreement while at the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) meeting in Victoria, B.C. to enhance learning opportunities for students in science, technology, engineering and math as well as the skilled trades.
"Our government is committed to helping Ontario students gain the skills they need to prepare for the demands of the global economy and jobs of the future," said Lecce. "This agreement is another step we are taking to better prepare our kids for future success. By increasing educational opportunities for our students in the STEM and skilled trades sectors, we are giving them the tools they need to be successful in the classroom, to the boardroom, to the shop floor."
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Ontario and Alberta will support and enhance opportunities for elementary and secondary students in STEM fields, and ensure that the skilled trades are recognized as a career of choice by young people, parents and educators.
"Encouraging students to pursue careers in STEM and the skilled trades will help address the current labour shortage Ontario is facing," said Ross Romano, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. "There are so many opportunities for Ontario students to prosper in the areas of science, technology, engineering, math and the skilled trades." |
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3. Canada invests $85M into advanced satellites to connect rural, remote regions
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atlantic.ctvnews.ca: July 24, 2019
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OTTAWA -- The federal government is spending $85 million to help develop advanced satellite technology with hopes it will one day expand access to affordable, high-speed internet to some of Canada's hardest-to-reach regions.
The funding will support a space project by Ottawa-based company Telesat to build and launch a group of co-ordinated satellites -- also known as a constellation -- in low Earth orbit.
The Trudeau government also said Wednesday it reached a preliminary agreement with Telesat that could see the government commit up to $600 million over 10 years for privileged access to the eventual group of satellites.
The Liberals have set a goal of ensuring all Canadians are connected to high-speed internet by 2030.
"In communities across Canada there continue to be challenges accessing high-speed Internet," said Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains as he announced the new commitments in Ottawa. |
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4. AI adoption in Canada could benefit from a greater focus on STEM education, experts say
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itworldcanada.com: July 23,2019 |
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Despite Canada’s status as a leader in education, the country’s stagnant academic scores among young people is a bad sign for future generations hoping to integrate complex technologies, such as artificial intelligence, across society, according to Phil Vokins, Intel Canada interim general manager.
“We’re saying is that Canada has lagged behind in some of the rankings for STEM education, technical education. And that was a problem…technology needs to have a more prominent role in education from early grades right through higher education.”
Canada received high-praise for earning top 10 spots in PISA world rankings out of 70 participating nations, scoring well above the 500 point average in reading, science, and arithmetic. The top three spots belong to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan.
Between 2012 to 2017, Canadian university enrollment for mathematics, computers, and information science rose by 36 per cent, the highest growth of all education sectors. The enrollment rate for architecture, engineering, and related technologies grew by 11 per cent in the same period.
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5. Paperless education: yay or nay?: An interview with Dr. Paula MacDowell
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the-peak.ca: July 22, 2019 |
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For me, paperless education reminds me of EDUC 358: Foundations of Educational Technology, which I took with Dr. Paula MacDowell. Dr. MacDowell is a lecturer, instructing courses in educational technology and learning design. She is known at SFU for making tremendous headway in the EdTech realm and shaking up learning environments by enriching them with technology in her classroom. In her course, I learned how to use the iBooks Author app and explored a topic of my choice relating to educational technology. In a sense, we were using technology to write about technology.
Personally, I was interested in writing my chapter on iBooks Author, since it went beyond writing. I could incorporate media elements that would best be suited for my research, such as videos, hyperlinks, scrolling galleries, images, etc. to create a chapter that was visually appealing, bright, and complimented my words. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind who to reach out to discuss a paperless education, because Dr. MacDowell proves that it is possible!
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6. Troxell Communications and CDI Technologies Announce Merger Creating an Education Technology Solutions Powerhouse
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www.prnewswire.com: July 8, 2019 |
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Merged company to be named Troxell-CDI, will provide expanded product and service offerings, enhanced sales coverage and support across the US & Canada, and a broader portfolio of leading vendors and partners. Troxell-CDI provides an unmatched local market presence that understands evolving technology needs and delivers the right solutions to Education customers.
CDI Technologies, the leading provider of recertified technology, white glove services and device lifecycle management to the North American Education vertical, and Troxell Communications, the leading end-to-end solution provider of technology solutions for Education in the US, announced that the companies merged today. Troxell-CDI will become the premier Education Technology Solutions Provider servicing North America.
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7.U of T researcher develops smartphone app to combat memory loss: CTV News
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utoronto.ca: June 28, 2019 |
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Cognitive neuroscience researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a smartphone-based app to assist those suffering from memory loss, including those with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
CTV News spotlighted the “HippoCamera” in an interview with Morgan Barense, a faculty member in the department of psychology in the Faculty of Arts & Science.
“The HippoCamera is a smartphone-based app that is designed to mimic the function of the Hippocampus, which is a part of the brain that we know is damaged in Alzheimer’s disease,” Barense told CTV.
The HippoCamera “replays a memory repeated times to the rest of the brain, and over time … the rest of the brain, the cortex, can learn that memory,” according to Barense.
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8. OpenStax and Vretta Partner to Distribute OER Print Textbooks for Canadian Students
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newswire.ca: July 22, 2019 |
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TORONTO, July 22, 2019 /CNW/ - OpenStax and Vretta have partnered to distribute high-quality OER print textbooks to institutions and students across Canada.
Though OpenStax OER textbooks will always be free online, surveys have found that about 10% of students would rather use printed versions. By partnering with a leading Canadian education technology company, Vretta, OpenStax now has the means to meet the needs of many Canadian students who prefer using print textbooks to learn.
If you are a current Canadian OpenStax user and would like to request print versions of your textbooks, please fill out this form to place your order with Vretta.
About OpenStax
OpenStax is committed to improving access to quality learning materials. As a nonprofit ed tech initiative that is part of Rice University and supported by philanthropic foundations, OpenStax provides free college and Advanced Placement textbooks that are developed and peer-reviewed by educators, as well as low cost, personalized courseware that helps students learn. |
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9. Actua Receives $12 Million in Funding from the Government of Canada's CanCode Program
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Today, Marco Mendicino, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and the Member of Parliament for Eglington Lawrence announced that Actua will be receiving $12 million dollars as part of the second phase of the Government of Canada's CanCode program.
"After an incredibly successful delivery of phase one of CanCode funding, Actua is thrilled to be a recipient of phase two," said Jennifer Flanagan, CEO, Actua. "This funding will provide additional support to our network to engage hundreds of thousands more youth, including 35,000 Indigenous youth, in deep-impact, face-to-face coding and digital skills building experiences." |
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10. Canada has four of N. America’s top 20 technology markets
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Major Canadian cities continue to grow in importance as technology hubs, and a few smaller markets are emerging to join them, according to CBRE’s 2019 Scoring Tech Talent report which ranks the top 50 markets in North America.
“It’s a combination of factors, including high educational attainment, overall size of the tech markets and tech labour concentration, which is the measure of how ‘tech’ a market is,” CBRE Canada vice-chairman Paul Morassutti told RENX. “A sizeable concentration of highly skilled tech workers offers an environment conducive to collaboration and innovation and leads to tightly integrated ecosystems.
“Another big factor is that Canada has attractive immigration policies that make it easier to hire foreign skilled workers, versus the immigration rhetoric coming out of the U.S., which, quite frankly, is to Canada’s benefit.” |
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