Dear MindShare Learning Community Members,

Happy Monday! As we embrace another exciting month, I am delighted to share with you the highlights and breakthroughs in educational technology featured in our newest edition of the Canadian EdTech MindShare Report, Issue #336.

I'm pleased to be back at the workspace after a whirlwind east coast trip NB, PEI and NS this past week as I shared and learned more about future of GenAI in education. My travels provided excellent insight and inspiration as we finalize our research and writing of our national C21 CIO Canada Report on the Future of AI in K12 releasing next month! What I love about east coasters, they are resilient, innovative and possess a ‘can do’ spirit! Hence, no surprise that NB has led the way in embracing AI as the first to host a province-wide 'Think-Tank' in K12!  

This Week on MindShareTV: Don't miss our feature with Melissa Dent, last year's Champion of the Challenge, as she unveils essential tips & tricks on entering the Schools of the Future Student Innovation Challenge! Get inspired to participate and make your mark! 

Not to be missed! Unboxing EdTech with Luc Goudreault, CEO, Vireo shares their generous prizing as part of the Schools of the Future, 'Classroom Makeover' prize pack promoting STEM learning through hydroponic gardening.

Highlight on SEL: Don't miss the in-depth review by Timothy Gard, our Chief Learning Strategist, on the Second Step K-8 Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program. This comprehensive resource aims to integrate emotional intelligence, empathy, and conflict resolution skills within our educational systems, fostering safer and more respectful learning environments.

Highlight of the Week: We are proud to spotlight the 16th Canadian Schools of the Future Student Invention Challenge. This initiative encourages students to address real-world problems with innovative solutions aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It’s a testament to young creativity and serves as a call to action for educators everywhere to inspire their students.

GenAI Tool of the Week Spotlight: This week's GenAI spotlight is on Cognii, a dynamic AI tool revolutionizing personalized learning. With its robust capabilities, Cognii enhances educational engagement and effectiveness, making it an essential asset for educators striving to adapt to the diverse learning needs of their students.

K-12 News: Nashwaaksis Middle School secures a spot in the prestigious Canadian CyberTitan Nationals.  From Ontario's new policies on cellphone and vaping in schools to innovative outdoor learning initiatives, we bring you the latest developments that are setting the standards for a healthier, more focused educational environment.

Post-Secondary News: Discover cutting-edge approaches in nursing education and AI governance, showcasing how tertiary institutions are leading the charge in adopting advanced technologies to enhance academic and operational excellence.

C21 Canada Spotlight: How one District is leading the way in Canada in embracing GenAI system-wide. C21 Canada Leadership Podcast Series on the Future of AI in Education, featuring Tom D’ Amico, Director, Ottawa Catholic School Board. 

Upcoming Events and Resources: Don't miss our upcoming professional learning events, including the Skills Ontario Competition and the Mental Health Summit. These events are fantastic opportunities to expand your knowledge and network with other education professionals. Just in! We're thrilled to share we've confirmed our partnership with UofT Scarborough as the host partner of the MindShare15th Canadian EdTech Leadership Summit & Teacher STEM Showcase, November 1-2! SAVE THE DATES!

Community Engagements and Contributions: We continue to be inspired by your stories and achievements. This month, we feature community contributions that highlight significant strides in educational research and community involvement. Your efforts are pivotal in driving the narrative of transformation and success in our education systems.

Thank you for your ongoing engagement and contributions to the MindShare Learning community. Your dedication enriches our collective journey towards a more innovative and equitable educational landscape.

Feel free to drop me a note with your inspiring news, research, careers, and upcoming events.

On behalf of our team, we are grateful for the growing MindShare Learning community we are nurturing across Canada and beyond (over 25 countries receive our eMag!). Special thanks to you, our board of advisors, partners, and team who continue to inspire me every day!

In closing, I'm happy to share that we listened to our readership and have refined our eMag to include menu buttons to enhance your ability to navigate our extensive EdTech Report! 

Until next time, stay healthy, stay safe, and keep the digital learning curve steep!

Every day, school safety professionals and administrators are determined to make sure their students are safe and protected from the moment they step onto school grounds until the moment they leave. 

Another 17 teacher-led projects have been approved for funding through the Teacher Innovation and Support Fund, totaling $647,900. 

This third round of funding means over $1.5 million has now been allocated through the Fund to schools and communities across the province to date. 

Two teams from Nashwaaksis Middle School have been selected to compete in the Canadian CyberTitan Nationals from May 8-9. Click here to watch full interview. 

In Alberta, traditional nursing education is getting a high-tech makeover thanks to life-like mannequins like Alex in the Bow Valley College simulation lab.

These mannequins, equipped with breathing, blinking and speaking capabilities, are shaping the future of nursing education.

A co-op student joins the GIS & Natural Resource Management team to gather data that can help increase understanding of fish habitats in the Columbia River basin. 

"It has been great to see the intersection of GIS and fisheries in a very applied way,” says Emma Lognon, a graduate of the Recreation, Fish & Wildlife and Geographic Information Systems programs. 

With the rapid advancement and adoption of artificial intelligence, it’s crucial for policy leaders to have a high-level understanding of its impact to make informed decisions. To help the Canadian government navigate this technological disruption, WatSPEED has developed a new program, AI Adoption, Policy and Governance, enabling senior policymakers to lead through the opportunities and challenges that AI presents. 

In March 2024, Saskatchewan Polytechnic students demonstrated their creativity and problem-solving skills at the institution's first-ever hackathon, Sask Polytech Hack 2024. This exciting event brought together teams from different School of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) programs, including Computer Systems Technology and Interactive Design & Technology (among others), to compete and develop innovative solutions to enhance the Sask Polytech experience for future students.

The annual ASU+GSV Summit kicked off in San Diego on Sunday, drawing thousands of leaders for a four-day event that focuses on delivering education and workforce skills at scale.

This year’s theme is “Here Comes the Sun,” and new to the 2024 summit is a special AIR Show at ASU+GSV on AI revolution in education. The new event, which is free for attendees, takes place at the San Diego Convention Center on April 13–15 and features talks, performances and more that celebrate the ways artificial intelligence has been leveraged — from preschool through higher education.