Previous Events
Previous conferences
AI in K-12 Education Conference
Dates: April 29 to May 1, 2024
We already know that artificial intelligence (AI) will have an incredible impact on future classrooms - but how? This virtual conference hosted by the Mitch and Leslie Frazer Faculty of Education featured over 25 interactive workshops from leaders in the use of AI in K-12 education. Exploring topics related to AI literacy, curricular integration, ethical issues, AI tools, and impacts on learning, this conference welcomed nearly 300 participants and sparked thoughtful and inspiring conversations on how AI could be effectively and ethically integrated into K-12 teaching practice.
Read more at our conference website.
Empowering Canada's Future Educators
Date: June 2, 2023
Presented by Ontario Tech's PHE Canada student chapter, this virtual conference brought together Canada's community of health and physical education experts to support our collective goal of all children and youth in Canada living healthy, physically active lives.
EdTech Tools Mini Conference
Dates: May 10 - 11, 2023
This mini conference offered a series of hands-on sessions exploring innovative tech tools for education, including those new on the scene as well as old favourites. Our team of facilitators focused not just on how to use these tools, but how they can be used meaningfully to enhance pedagogy in face-to-face and online educational settings.
Redefining Learning & Education in a Digital Age
Dates: May 24 - 26, 2022
With over 40 sessions and 350 attendees, this academic conference consolidated theory and practice from before and during the COVID-19 pandemic to explore what teaching and learning can look like in our digital age. Since 2020, education has changed significantly, particularly in EDI, human connection, health and well-being, and of course, the use of technology. It is the perfect time to start redefining learning and education for the future!
Recordings, handouts/resources, session descriptions, and the incredible team of presenters are available on our conference website.
STEAM for Young Children: Critical T(h)inkering Conference
Dates: April 29 - 30, 2022
Hosted by the STEAM-3D Maker Lab, the Critical T(h)inkering conference was a two-day international event focused on incorporating STEAM in the early years. With presenters from across Canada, the United States, and Norway, this conference connected educators interested in making with loose parts, making STEAM learning equitable, coding and digital storytelling, robotics, and picture books to spark STEAM learning.
Conference information and program available on the STEAM-3D Maker Lab website.
Teaching & Learning with Technology - What's Next?
Dates: August 16 - 19, 2021
This interactive conference highlighted the most current, evidence-based strategies for using technology in K-12 and higher education. With over 65 sessions designed to prepare educators for our new normal, this conference welcomed over 300 attendees from all levels of education. Proceeds from the conference were used to fund the Faculty of Education's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion scholarships.
Session descriptions and team of facilitators available on our conference website.
OCT Ignite Teaching & Learning Conference
Dates: August 11 - 12, 2021
With the addition of coding and computational thinking to the Ontario mathematics curriculum, the Faculty of Education hosted the Ignite Teaching & Learning conference for members of the Ontario College of Teachers with a special focus on Learning to Teach Coding and Coding Possibilities for K-12. Nearly 300 in-service teachers joined us for a series of interactive professional learning experiences.
Best Practices in Online and Blended Learning
Dates: August 10 - 14, 2020
This conference offered online and interactive workshops for exploring best practices in blended and online learning for K-12 Education. Hands-on workshops were designed for teachers to experience effective online learning as students.
Session descriptions and team of facilitators available on our conference website.
Previous presentations & webinars
Indigenous Maths, Global Math, and Indigenizing Mathematics
Presenter: Dr. Edward Doolittle (First Nations University, SK; University of Regina, SK)
Date: June 26, 2023
Current Truth and Reconciliation efforts around mathematics generally begin at the wrong place, with the nearly universal and conventional mathematics (Global Math) commonly taught in schools and universities. To truly succeed in Reconciliation, we must begin with Indigenous Maths, with Creation even, and we must carefully and critically explore the relationships between the many Indigenous Maths, the one Global math, and Indigenizing mathematics.
Teacher Mental Health & Well-Being Poster Sessions
Date: November 18, 2022
In this poster series, students in their final year of our Bachelor of Education program showcased current work in the field of mental health, well-being, and self-care for educators.
Faculty of Education Speaker Series
Dates: October 4, 2021 - May 31, 2022
Get to know the Faculty of Education with our faculty speaker series! Each week, meet two members of our faculty and learn a little bit more about their research, their teaching, and who they are outside of the university!
Handouts and recordings available in our 2021 - 2022 Speaker Series Summary document.
Healthy Social Media Use in Times of Crisis
Date: June 25, 2020
In this webinar, we explore the double-edged sword of social media and how we can use it in healthy ways. The results of a Province-wide survey by Dr. Laffier on people’s use of social media during COVID-19 will be discussed along with recommendations from the study. There will be a Q & A period at the end of the session.
Supporting Seniors' Mental Health in Times of Uncertainty and Change
Date: June 18, 2020
In this webinar, we will explore signs and symptoms of stress, anxiety, grief and depression in seniors. Strategies for supporting the seniors in our lives will be explored as well as effective coping strategies, Consideration for current limitations due to COVID-19 are discussed. There will be a Q & A period at the end of the session.
Supporting Youth's Mental Health in Times of Uncertainty and Change
Date: June 11, 2020
In this webinar, we will explore signs and symptoms of stress, anxiety and grief as they relate to youth (13-20 yrs. old) in times of crisis. Effective coping strategies and strategies to create a sense of safety and reduce trauma in times of crisis will be discussed. There will be a Q & A period at the end of the session.
Supporting Children's Mental Health in Times of Uncertainty and Change
Date: June 4, 2020
In this webinar, we will explore signs and symptoms of stress, anxiety and grief as they relate to children (up to 13 yrs. old) in times of crisis. Effective coping strategies and strategies to create a sense of safety and reduce trauma in times of crisis will be discussed. There will be a Q & A period at the end of the session.
Grief, Sadness, and Depression in Times of Uncertainty and Change
Date: May 28, 2020
In this webinar, we will explore grief, sadness and depression for adults. A review of causes, risk factors and signs and symptoms will support participants in understanding their own or other’s experiences. Evidence-based coping strategies will be explored as they relate to the current situation of COVID-19. There will be a Q & A period at the end of the session.
Stress and Anxiety in Times of Uncertainty and Change
Date: May 21, 2020
In this webinar, we will explore stress and anxiety for adults. A review of causes, risk factors and signs and symptoms will support participants in understanding their own and other’s experiences. Evidence-based coping strategies will be explored as they relate to the current situation of COVID-19. There will be a Q & A period at the end of the session.
Research Talk: Mathematical Videos & the Changing Classroom
Presenter: Dr. Marcelo C. Borba (UNESP, Brazil)
Date: March 24, 2020
In this presentation hosted by the STEAM-3D Maker Lab, Dr. Marcelo C. Borba explores how the creation of multimodal videos with mathematical content may contribute to the process of rendering the classroom borderless, as well as how multimodal videos can become teaching & learning tools. Dr. Borba will discuss how students in Brazil are producing mathematical videos and how that has pedagogically changed the teaching and learning, and modified assessment practices and the use of textbooks.
Previous workshops
Teaching & Learning with Technology: Extended Coding Workshops
Dates: August 23 - 27, 2021
An extension of our Teaching & Learning with Technology conference in August 2021, this series of coding workshops was offered to explore various coding platforms and pedagogical strategies for coding in the classroom.
Review workshop descriptions and our incredible team of facilitators on our workshops website.
Introduction to Coding with Micro:bit
Date: April 9, 2020
This session provided an introduction to coding using the MakeCode micro:bit platform. Designed for educators who are new to the micro:bit or looking to refresh the basics, this workshop explored one of many online coding platforms suitable for use during remote learning.
E-Learning Teaching Tips & Strategies
Date: April 7, 2020
In preparation for the shift to online learning associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, this workshop was designed to provide a general overview of best practices associated with online teaching in the K-6 setting. This session was based on theory and provided a range of practical tools to incorporate into online pedagogy. Participants were also invited to discuss and share successes and struggles to date with online learning.
Coding with Scratch
Date: April 2, 2020
In this workshop, participants explored strategies and tips for using Scratch - a beginner-friendly, web-based platform for learning how to code.
E-Learning Teaching Tips & Strategies for Grade 7 to 12 Teachers
Date: March 31, 2020
This session will provide a general overview of some best practices associated with online teaching for teachers of Grade 7 through 12. The session will be based on theory and it will include practical tools one could incorporate into their online pedagogy. There will also be time incorporated for discussion.
