Among the pandemic of crises—COVID, misinformation, supply chain disruptions—one looms large: teacher burnout and the rising threat to teachers’ mental health. Here we explore these issues and how to do something about them. [By Jim Lang, M.Ed, Ph.D., Associate Faculty, Graduate Studies (Ret'd) Adjunct Professor (Philosophy) (Ret'd), Department of Social Justice Education OISE/University of Toronto]
As Ontario prepares for teacher walkouts and a possible strike, we take a look at member associations of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation to see what’s at or near the top of their agendas this month—quite... read more
Research and Findings launches the new year with a grab-bag of offerings, from checking predictions for educational technology in 2020 as envisioned five years ago, to helping students develop a global mindset, to busting LGBTQ... read more
The popularity of podcasts is soaring, with U.S. statistics showing their number has grown from 550,000 to 750,000 over the past year alone. This month we present a selection of podcasts for teachers by teachers,... read more
We are all living increasingly stressful lives and students are no exception. According to Psychology Today, linked below, we are experiencing more anxiety and stress-related diseases and disorders than ever, and this “stress epidemic appears... read more
This year, the Ontario Ministry of Education announced a new requirement for graduating from high school: four completed e-learning courses—three more than the other provinces using e-learning courses. Fears that this threatens the traditional role... read more
As the Canadian school year kicks off, raucous campaigns for our federal election in October are in full swing. Research and Findings was impressed by a college-aged niece, who asked where she could find unbiased... read more
In this, our final column for this school year, we review the year’s key findings and recommendations for improving rational discourse in the classroom and beyond. Our democracy—civilization itself—is predicated on rational, critical, thinking and... read more
In our continuing series on the perilous state of reasoned argument, truth and all things rational, we tend to focus on dry facts and logic, ignoring the role emotions play in everyday discourse. In formal... read more
It’s election year in Canada and a feverish pre-election year for our neighbour to the south. As political ads, videos and social media posts explode across our collective vistas, we address the thorny question: What... read more
In the depths of winter, Research and Findings invites you to get into the weeds somewhat, with a subject that can cause headaches and heartaches: Ignorance. As a teacher, you’re confronted by some students—or colleagues—who... read more
This month, in our continuing series on teaching clarity in thinking and reasoning, we tackle the common problem of “confirmation bias.” This is the tendency to overvalue evidence that supports a belief we already hold,... read more
This month we tackle the current epidemic of “whataboutism.” Political debate, social media and everyday conversations are rife with comments and claims that are often frustrating because they seem wrong, but we can’t explain why... read more
In keeping with Research and Findings’ 2018 theme, we look at one practical approach to teaching students to be critical and rational thinkers: turning students themselves into journalists. Establishing a classroom/school newspaper/letter can provide opportunities... read more
This month we review promising practices in the teaching of rationality and one of its primary components, critical thinking. Physical science can explain a great deal about our brains and the role played by genetics... read more
Mark Twain once wrote, “How easy it is to make people believe a lie, and how hard it is to undo that work again!”[1] Ironically, Twain is also often cited as having said, “It is... read more
