Two Education Departments

Once again, we have two Departments of Education, one focussing fully on the K-12 system, the other on post-secondary education and training. There are merits to this approach though if one is looking for a leaner cabinet, this would be one area to remain combined. On the educational side, there is obvious overlap between the two. Provincial governments have waffled back and forth between these two approaches.

It will be interesting to observe and study how the two departments address their respective and similar missions.

Canadian Council on Learning

The Canadian Council on learning today released its final report titled, What is the future of education in Canada. In its swan song, the CCL charges that Canada is slipping in terms of its educational performance relative to other countries....

"In many domains of learning across the life cycle, we are falling behind competitor countries, both in established and emerging economies. In some fields in which we began with a head start, we have lost the initiative and the lead."

Go to:

http://www.ccl-cca.ca/pdfs/CEOCorner/2010-10-11WhatistheFutureofLearninginCanada.pdf>

Plagiarism

A few points may be helpful:


http://www.chronicle.com/article/Toward-a-Rational-Response-to/128611/

Ending my term

Thanks to all faculty and staff for support and encouragement - and yes, challenges - during the past year. It's been a privilege once again to serve as Dean. The circumstances surrounding that remain too sad. We continue to miss and mourn Dave Dibbon, our Dean (2008-10).

I look forward to creating some new projects for myself during administrative leave (2011-12).

Best to all.

Alice

Dr. Dale Kirby Comments

Check it out. Dr. Kirby comments on reduction of spending on education by NB government.

http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/rss/article/1414370

Mistaken Point Exhibit

I am proud to announce the launch of the Mistaken Point Exhibit at the Johnson GEO Centre. Visit our newest permanent exhibit - a cast of the 500 million year old fossils at Mistaken Point.

In partnership with the ROM, Oxford University, Queen's University, this amazing exhibit will rock you.

Alice


Alice Collins
Chair, Johnson GEO Centre Board of Directors

Ontario Deans' Web site

You may be interested in some of the topics on this site.

http://oade.cou.on.ca/_bin/whatWorks.cfm

Transition Study

You may be interested in this study on youth transition.


http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~dkirby/CURA_Transition_Study_Update_2011.pdf

Happy New Year

A time to wish one and all a very Happy New Year. I especially want to extend this greeting to my colleagues - faculty and staff - in the Faculty of Education, Memorial University. We have grieved together over the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Dr. Dave Dibbon. A new year enables us to carry on the great work he started.

I look forward to a green winter even if it means more rain.

Alice