An Insightful Video Podcast with John Baker, Founder & CEO, D2L on the Future of Learning in light of COVID-19
D2L Recently Captured Two Prestigious CODIE Awards for their Brightspace LMS Platform

P.S. On behalf of our friends at Convergence IT, educators and leaders, please take a moment to complete the survey below. The information gathered will be used as part of the material to be presented at the upcoming "Future of Learning" forum.  We will be sure to share the results with you.

 

We invite you to take the survey: https://survey.sogosurvey.com/Survey1.aspx?k=SsQWQXQWsVsPsPsP&lang=0

 

Robert Martellacci, M.A. EdTech
President, MindShare Learning Technology™
Chief Digital Publisher, The MindShare Learning Report™
Founder, MindShare Workspace
CEO & Co-founder, C21 Canada™

Follow us on Twitter @MindShareLearn
robert@mindsharelearning.com
https://mindsharelearning.ca/

Tribute Blog in Memory of a Dear Friend, Professor Emeritus, York University, Colleague, Mentor and MindShare Advisory Board Member,  
Dr. Greg Malszecki

My 30 plus year journey with Dr. Malszecki began in my first year of my Sport Admin program. The first thing I remembered about meeting Dr. Malszecki was that he made an effort to know every students name. The second thing I remembered was Greg telling us about his career path, first entering priesthood, then a motorcycle gang (briefly) and eventually he found his way into academia. 

He cared about his students. "Destination Graduation," the motto which he coined and wrote on the board each week to inspire his students was adopted throughout the Kinesiology program at York University. He wrote a paper on the topic and to quote, " The phrase 'Destination: Graduation!' in its tormented origin, its manifold applications and its universal aim, has always been about the journey, not the arrival – the destination is a prize one never wins but that acts as a moral compass.”

He wanted us all to succeed, encouraging us to pursue our dreams. This earned him University Professor of the Year at York University. His popularity also earned him hundreds of requests for reference letters. Greg would respond to all of them. I was most grateful that he wrote one for me that helped get me in grad school.  

"Without a doubt, the single best professor KINE has to offer. He is passionate, works to build relationships with all of his students, and is a genius at what he does. Just having the privilege of listening to him talk every week was enough to make this course worthwhile. His presence is something to be revered. Simply amazing!" Rate my Professor, Anonymous former student of Dr. Malszecki.

Dr. Malszecki was highly engaged in community whether at York University or his local residence. As academic advisor at Stong College, Greg contributed vastly to campus life and supported students in pursuing excellence. He wanted us all to achieve our goals.

Greg was a notable sports historian often interviewed in the media. An advocate against violence in sport, proponent of equity. He served on the LaMarsh Centre for violence against women. 

Greg was passionate about his subject matter and he was an incredible orator. Sometimes a bit long winded, although he kept your attention with his humour and depth of knowledge. 

He was an innovative professor and a life-long learner completing his PhD much later in life. We kept in touch and formed a special bond. He was my mentor and served on MindShare's advisory board for 10 years. I was honoured to present Greg with the MindShare Learning Leader Award. His impact on students was unparalleled. He loved to lecture about listening skills and developed a package in retirement on Secrets to Success in life.  Greg had an infectious smile. 

In one of my last conversations with Greg recently as his struggled with 4th stage prostate cancer, I recall my saying to him, "You sound great!" His comment back, "its because you lift my spirits when I talk with you." I will never forget those words.  And hope to carry on his spirit of positivity and hope, especially in these challenging times.

Dr. Malszecki passed away on July 6, 2020, many years too soon. He left those who knew him amazing memories, including a recorded last lecture. He was so proud of his family. My deepest sympathies to his wonderful family, adoring wife, Jennifer; son Aislinn and daughter Karis. 

While Greg left us far too soon, his legacy of love and passion for life and learning will always be remembered. I share with you a link to his last lecture below. RIP.  

R.M.

1. TDSB needs millions to ensure safe return to school in fall, says it may have to cut French

CBC News: July 15, 2020

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) says it is preparing for new possibilities when school returns in September that may include no French classes and shortened school days.

In a new planning document being considered by the board, the TDSB also says that accommodating some proposed plans for the fall could cost as much as $250 million.

National teacher survey reveals that all is not well in education during the time of COVID.

The Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE) pandemic survey provides a look into how the closure of school buildings and an emergency transition to distance and online learning have affected teachers and students in every province and territory. The responses, from nearly 18,000 teachers from coast to coast to coast, show how current solutions are potentially detrimental to health, safety, and learning.  

“We have vulnerable students who have challenging home lives,” reads one submission. “For some of our students, school is their safe place and where their connections are to feel safe and secure.”

MindFuel: June 20, 2020 

With schools and school boards continuing to shift to online formats throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, online educational resources are seeing a large spike in users to help supplement their learning.

MindFuel, a national education technology leader that brings STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) to life for students, teachers and parents, has been providing no-cost access to all of their K-12 STEM education resources, and saw an average 207% increase in Canadian users from March through May 2020.

4. Schools urged to ensure students' security and privacy when conducting classes online Social Sharing

CBC News: Julu 6, 2020

As most parts of Canada are gradually reopening their economies following months of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some provinces — including Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and New Brunswick — have released plans on how they aim to allow students to return to the classroom in September.

But those school boards continuing with partial or fully virtual learning need to ensure measures are in place to protect students' privacy and safety when using video-conferencing platforms for online classes, a cybersecurity expert says.

When education technology company Top Hat launched 11 years ago, co-founder and chief executive officer Mike Silagadze saw a future for post-secondary education transformed by digital content.

Over the past decade, the Toronto-based company, officially known as Tophatmonocle Corp., has been building its educational platform and an array of digital content. Earlier this year, the company had three million post-secondary students using its products in five different countries and more than 400 employees.

 

Concordia University: July 6, 2020

 

Concordia has endorsed a collective statement aimed at highlighting the links between a sustainable world and a secure digital world to ensure that both become a reality.

The Montreal Statement on Sustainability in the Digital Age argues that achieving a climate-safe and equitable future requires inclusive and trusted digital technologies.

UofT: July 8, 2020

Ask Ulli Krull how it all got started - the programs, buildings, research, partnerships and city-building that defined his nearly 40-year career at the University of Toronto Mississauga - and he breaks into a grin. 

"I've never looked back at what I've done," Krull says. "I'd rather ask, What is the next big thing?'"

9. As U.S. turns hostile, foreign student permits climb in Canada BNN Bloomberg: July 13, 2020 

 

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