Global Connections the newsletter of the Ottawa Carleton Education Network This semester Volume V Issue 1 Fall 2015 OCENET and OCENET and OCDSB selected by Ontario Ministry of Education to OCDSB schools are hosting international pilot unique cultural immersion program in China students... from 42 countries in 22 high school schools and 36 elementary schools, and throughout the year, over 150 visiting educators from 11countries What’s Inside Deep Learning Project 2 at Glashan PS International Certificate Awards Ceremony Important role of 3 Homestay families for international students First teacher 4 recipients of the new OCENET bursary tell OCDSB students, along with students from eight other countries, pose for a group photo along The Bund beside the Yangtze their stories River in Shanghai during the International Youth Leaders in China Program during the last two weeks in July Life as an international 5 During the last two weeks in July a group of 20 OCDSB students from student various local high schools participated in an experience of a lifetime. The OCDSB and OCENET were selected by the Ministry of Education to Meet OCENET: 6 Eunyoung Shin champion an initiative to select Grade 10 students to learn about Chinese language and culture in Jiangsu Province near Shanghai. Busy days included SRB’s InterWeb Club Chinese language lessons followed by a wide variety of cultural activities, including Chinese calligraphy, Mongolian dance, Tai Chi, fencing, paper Tip Sheet #7: 7 Students learn about the cutting, creating Beijing Opera masks, fencing, participating in a traditional TEDx talks & evolution and art of Chinese Cross-cultural tea ceremony, making dumplings, planting Bonsai trees, among many other Communication characters from a world re- iconic cultural experiences. The students visited historical and famous nowned master calligrapher cultural sites such as The Humble Administrator’s Garden in Suzhou, the OCENET Bulletin 8 Board Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, and the Youth Olympic Museum in Nanjing. One unique aspect of the program was sharing the experience with not only The Divisions of Chinese students, but also other students from many other countries in- OCENET cluding Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, South Korea, Spain and the USA. Prior to departure the OCDSB students participated in numer- ous activities to develop cultural awareness and understand the im- portance of intercultural competence when experiencing a new and very different culture. The students kept a daily journal to record their experi- OCDSB students enjoy learn- ing about bonsai horticulture ences and reactions to Chinese culture; overwhelmingly, the students felt by pruning and planting trees the trip was not only memorable, but also a transformative experience. Volume V Issue 1 page 2 Glashan PS deeply involved in international collaboration “One of the key goals ‘real life’ problem solving.” of the Deep Learning project is to start Part of the program includes an emphasis on the sharing of connecting our students learning and knowledge. Last with other students in February, Glashan PS Skyped other parts of the with NPDL educators in Uru- world, but moving far guay. Grade 7 students devel- beyond the ‘pen pal’ oped a Heritage Fair. Students concept alone to in Grade 8 conducted a deep inquiring together learning research task related about ‘bigger’ to the data management unit in their Math class and several questions” students presented their find- ings to student teachers at the - Jim Tayler, University of Ottawa. Principal Future plans include expanding Glashan Public School the NDPL project at Glashan to involve more students and Three of the Glashan PS students who presented the results of their staff, as well as parents. Details research involving a survey and analysis about middle school students to on this exciting initiative can be an interested audience of student teachers at the University of Ottawa found under “Glashan’s Deep Learning Journey” at the school website: Glashan PS has long had a character education; critical www.glashanps.ocdsb.ca strong commitment to interna- thinking and problem solving; tional education initiatives, but creativity and imagination; com- the school is taking things to munication; and citizenship. another level with the inception Some of the main principles of of the New Pedagogies for the program include a strong Deep Learning (NPDL) project, partnership approach to educa- Mr. Jim Tayler introduces the which began last year at tion whereby the teacher and New Pedagogies for Deep Glashan PS and five other student work as a team to solve Learning initiative at a OCDSB schools. deep learning tasks based on student assembly probing questions. This approach To date, approximately 1,000 promotes experiential learning A main aspect of the NPDL schools from 10 different na- and is relevant to learners be- learning tasks is not merely tions are using the NPDL, an cause the questions are generat- reproducing existing knowledge, educational framework devel- ed together. In the words of but creating “new” knowledge oped by noted Canadian educa- Principal Jim Tayler: “The NPDL through asking profound ques- tor Michael Fullan, with the 6 approach makes learning irresist- tions explored within a collabo- C’s at its core: collaboration; ibly engaging because it involves rative learning environment Graduating students receive OCDSB International Studies Certificates at June Awards Ceremony At the ICP Awards Cere- mony on June 18th in the auditorium at Sir Robert Borden H.S., thirty-three students from thirteen OCDSB schools were presented with the OCDSB International Studies Certificate. Several Robert Barter (center), Dept. hundred students are now Head of Canadian & World enrolled in this innovative Studies. with his students from international education A.Y. Jackson S.S. awarded the program from across our OCDSB International Certificate school district. Volume V Issue 1 page 3 Hosting international students enriches family life for everyone What is the most inter- some more serious con- esting or enriching as- versations. As a pect about being a host homestay mom to teen- parent? age girls, I’ve had to have We benefit so much from conversations on interest- having our international chil- ing topics such as: boys, dren that we don’t think we tampons, self-esteem, could pick just one interest- bullying, narcissism and ing and enriching aspect. hygiene, to only name a Since we started hosting, few. our family increased signifi- cantly as we became parents The main indicator that of triplets in December of learning has taken place is 2011 (yes, we moved to a change in behaviour, right? bigger house!). Our own Well, we get to witness children certainly gain very our international children Homestay parents Andrée-Anne and Bruce with their own children and several international students who enjoy family life in their home much from having older sis- learning and growing eve- ters. At the young age of ry day. It doesn’t matter Andrée-Anne provided Global What was involved in the 3.5 years old, they already if they are with us for a Connections with answers to process of becoming a know how to locate the month or a year, the con- some questions about her experi- host parent to interna- birth countries of all their nection doesn’t end the ences as a Homestay parent tional students? international siblings on the day we drive them to the When we decided to host, map. Having young kids in airport. We have built What interested you in we researched what options the house allows our stu- lifelong relationships that becoming a Homestay were available. We made a dents to practice their Eng- keep on giving (we plan host parent? few calls, sent a few emails, lish without any inhibi- on being proud grand- To become a host family filled a few questionnaires, tions… they quickly become parents of all our interna- you need 3 things: room in met a few amazing people, familiar with Dr. Seuss! tional grand-babies!). your house, room in your got a Police Check, and not schedule, but most im- long after we welcomed our Bruce and I treat our stu- The most rewarding thing portantly, room in your first Chinese son, Peter. dents the way we would like you ask… we get to see heart. Bruce and I both have our own children to be them grow into amazing graduate degrees in Educa- How long have you been treated if they were in a successful young adults tion; we very much love kids a host parent? foreign country. We have and hope that we played a and value lifelong learning. We started hosting in 2010. lots of fun/silly times and little part in it. We thought hosting interna- tional students would allow How many international us to learn about other cul- students has your family tures while ensuring that hosted? these kids receive the best Peter (China), Minh Ahn Canadian experience possi- (Vietnam), David (Spain), ble. I was an international Maria Paula (Colombia), Ca- student myself for a year in mila (Colombia), Nura Valencia, Spain, back in 1992 (Germany), Zoe (China), (when there were no inter- Patricia (Spain), Coco net, Skype or emails!). I (China), Boya (China), Sofia loved every minute of it and (Colombia), Andreza made long-lasting friend- (Brazil), Laura (Colombia), ships. This experience al- Catalina (Chile), Sofia lowed me to understand (Colombia), Nagi (Japan), what our international chil- Jocelyn (Mexico), and Lydia dren are going through and (China)… and we welcomed OCENET international students Nura (Germany), Laura (Colombia), how to meet their needs a few international parents and Zoe (China) happily show off a Canadian flag signed by many of and expectations. too! their Canadian friends they made while studying in Canada Volume V Issue 1 page 4 New bursary program helps “internationalize” teaching “I believe that this Several recipients of the new bursary to cover travel and culture of China.