Illustration: Yelena Bryksenkova
Teaching students how to self-regulate is essential in education. Introducing strategies that encourage this model, along with other executive functions, is an effective way to support the development of 21st-century competencies — the skills students need to be successful in life. There are a variety of ways to infuse these invaluable skills into your lessons, even during breaks. I like to develop opportunities for students to practise yoga and breathing exercises, as well as explore ways in which they can use calming or alerting tools that keep them in the "green" (happy and focused). The Zones of Regulation curriculum (zonesofregulation.com) is also a great resource to draw from.
— Monica Carey, OCT
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Platform for Learning
By Philippe Orfali
Not all digital platforms are created equally but when Groupe Média TFO, a leader in French-language educational content, launches one — you know it is worth a bookmark.
IDÉLLO (idello.org) offers a sophisticated search engine of more than 10,000 resources that includes teaching guides, videos, webinars, apps, games and more. Fine-tune your search with filters that range from: resource language (English and French), level of French (basic, independent or proficient), grade (pre-school to postsecondary), subject (The Arts, Business Studies, Religious Education, etc.), type (audio, video, app, website, etc.) and theme (Safe and Accepting Schools, Literacy, Francophonie, etc.).
Users can save favourites, create and assign activities, as well as forward resources and assignments to students to explore at their own pace before studying in class. The site is updated regularly to keep resources relevant in Ontario, with new titles added each week. Community members assess the content and enhance the collaborative platform. "This tool was built on principles such as learning communities and the flipped classroom," says Julie Caron, TFO's chief digital learning officer. "IDÉLLO will continue to evolve along with pedagogical trends."
The content is suitable for students of all ages. Early childhood educators will also find the tool useful thanks to its "Franco-recreation" search, which provides users with a list of fun and entertaining resources. The platform is compatible with a full range of formats and devices, including computers, tablets, smartphones and interactive whiteboards.
This is a great site for francophones and francophiles alike. If you teach in a French-language school board or French immersion program, take advantage of your free access to this educational goldmine.