Introducing Contact North | Contact Nord’s Four FREE, Easy-to-Use AI-Powered Apps for Education and Training |
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Top10 EdTech Report Issue No. 346
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A Deep Dive Into the Banff 2025 Mental Health Summit with Dr. Gina Cherkowski and Steve Brown
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Dear MindShare Community Leader,
A very happy Thursday as I'm almost a 100% recovered from a nasty flu bug!.
When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. In the face of geopolitical uncertainties and their potential impact on Canada and its people, we continue to navigate challenges with positivity, resilience, innovation, and a commitment to digital transformation.
On that note, we kickoff this issue with most excellent news from the Feds for a change! The Government of Canada’s recent announcement of CanCode 4.0 funding—an investment of nearly $40 million to help 22 organizations provide 1.6 million training opportunities for educators and under-represented youth in digital skills, including AI—marks a significant milestone in advancing digital learning. Congrats to our many friends and colleagues who were successful proponents! We look forward to collaborating with you!
This week's MindShare Top10 EdTech Report brings you the latest updates shaping the future of education across Canada and beyond.
Featured News Highlights
🔹 AI in Education: C21 Canada & Dell Technologies unveil an AI Use Case Initiative to integrate AI responsibly into K-12 learning and school administration. This week's featured AI Use Case: Ottawa Catholic School Board.
🔹 EdTech Innovation: Koru, a venture studio within the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, celebrates its 5th anniversary with a hackathon featuring 23 teams tackling real classroom challenges.
🔹 Digital Learning Exchange: MindShare hosts a Professional Learning Innovation Exchange with Peel District School Board’s Empowering Modern Learning (EML) EdTech Team, discussing over 100 innovation projects, including C21 Canada AI Use Case Projects.
🔹MindShare - CEBRA Architects Design Exchange to Denmark is Open for registration! Join us for a 5-Day tour that culminates with a site visit to Lego House!
🔹NBA All-Star Pascal Siakam teams up with DMZ to launch Siakam EdTech Engine to accelerate K-12 innovation
📢 MindShareTV Podcasts & Upcoming Events
✅ Mental Health in Schools: A MindShareTV deep dive into the Banff 2025 Mental Health Summit with Dr. Gina Cherkowski and Steve Brown explores strategies to support student and educator well-being.
✅ MindShareTV Podcast: A very timely special edition featuring AASA President Dr. Gustavo Balderas on education leadership and innovation in an AI-driven world as he prepares to host next week's AASA annual Conference in New Orleans.
🚀 Career Opportunities in EdTech
💼 Senior Business Development Representative, D2L (Kitchener, ON)
💼 Director, Data - Game, Prodigy (GTA, ON)
💼 K-12 Education Advisor, Amii (Edmonton, AB – Hybrid)
📆 Professional Learning & Conferences
A FREE Scribo AI Writing Masterclass to Supercharge Writing in Your Classroom – Spaces Limited!
- EdTech Canada Meetup March 4, 5-8pm
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SXSW EDU | Mar 3 - 6, 2025
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CoSN 2025 Seattle | Mar 31 - Apr 2, 2025
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ULead: The Summit of Educational Leadership | Apr 6 - 8, 2025
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Mental Health Summit | April 10-12 (MindShare is a Proud Media Sponsor!)
- MindShare - CEBRA Architects Design Exchange, Denmark May 12-16
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ISTE 2025 | Jun 29 - Jul 2, 2025 (MindShare is a Proud Media Sponsor!)
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16th MindShare Canadian EdTech Summit | UofT Toronto, Oct 28 - 29, 2025 🔗 SAVE the DATES! New Sponsors & Presenters Welcome!
Featured EdTech Resources
📌 Book of the Week:
From Gen Z to Gen AI: A College Student’s Guide to Success at School and at Work in the Age of Artificial Intelligence—A must-read for students navigating AI’s impact on education and careers.
📌 AI Tool of the Week: Explore the latest AI-driven tool transforming classroom engagement. Click here to learn more.
📌 Teacher & Parent Resources: Guides on privacy, digital safety, and cybersecurity for K-12 classrooms.
Partner With Us!
Looking to sponsor a webinar, product review, feature your EdTech company, or join the 17th Canadian EdTech Summit? Check out our latest MindShare Media & Consulting Playbook for 2025! Contact us at robert@mindsharelearning.com.
Let’s continue shaping the future of education—responsibly, securely, and innovatively!
Join us on our mission to lead EdTech Innovation to help students thrive!
Until next time, keep the digital learning curve steep! |
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Robert Martellacci, M.A. EdTech
Chair, 15th Canadian EdTech Summit on AI
Founder & President, MindShare Learning Media & Consulting
Chief Digital Publisher, The MindShare Learning Report™
Founder, MindShare Workspace--Your Place to Work & Learn
CEO & Co-founder, C21 Canada--Canadians for 21st Century Learning & Innovation
Follow us on Twitter @MindShareLearn @c21can @mindsharework
https://mindsharelearning.ca/ |
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A Special Edition of MindShareTV with AASA President Dr. Gustavo Balderas on the Eve of their National Convention in New Orleans
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Join us for the upcoming EdTech Canada #EdTechTO MindShare Leader Meetup
(Hybrid) and secure your spot today! |
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LAUNCHING in MARCH!
NEW SPONSORS WELCOME!
17th Schools of the Future Student AI & STEM Innovation Challenge. Over 1 Million in Prizes Awarded! |
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Government of Canada invests more than $1.4 billion to strengthen official languages education across Canada |
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The Government of Canada is stepping up efforts to support the development of minority-language education and second-language instruction in Canada
OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 17, 2025 /CNW/ - Canada is proud of its bilingual status and continues to invest to support education in both official languages. By working in collaboration with provinces and territories, the Government of Canada is committed to ensuring Canadians in minority language communities across the country can study, develop and live in their official language of their choice.
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Koru is a venture studio within the Ontario Teacher Pension Plan. For Koru's 5th anniversary, they hosted a ~2 week (part time) hackathon for teams that wanted to tackle real problems that Ontario teachers face in the classroom.
23 teams competed.
The hackathon started on Feb 3rd, was administered virtually over Slack and workshops with Zoom, and then the finals took place on Feb 13th at the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan office in Toronto.
You can see the problem statement options in the attached deck.
From left to right in the attached pic of the 1st place team that tackled problem #2:
Damian Matheson, Director of Special Projects at myBlueprint, CEO of HomeBridge, Cynthia Lam, Henry Fu, Krishiv Thakuria, Alec Ngai (not pictured)
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MindShare - Peel District SB PL Innovation Learning exchange |
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What an incredible morning yesterday hosting a deep learning innovation exchange at the Mindshare Workspace with the Peel District School Board Superintendent of Innovation & Research, Bernadette Smith, and her Empowering Modern Learning (EML) EdTech Team.
Fascinating to learn they have over 100 innovation projects happening in Peel schools Canada's 2nd largest school district—including two C21 Canada hashtag#AI Use Case Projects!
Collaboration, innovation, and digital transformation are shaping the future of education, and it’s inspiring to be part of these forward-thinking conversations. PeelsDSB is a District on the move! Kudos to the leadership and EdTech team for sharing their insights and passion in preparing our next generation leaders for a future that is complex and not clearly seen.
A big thank you to everyone who joined and contributed to this impactful session! What an incredible morning yesterday hosting a deep learning innovation exchange at the Mindshare Workspace with the Peel District School Board Superintendent of Innovation & Research, Bernadette Smith, and her Empowering Modern Learning (EML) EdTech Team.
Fascinating to learn they have over 100 innovation projects happening in Peel schools Canada's 2nd largest school district—including two C21 Canada hashtag#AI Use Case Projects!
Collaboration, innovation, and digital transformation are shaping the future of education, and it’s inspiring to be part of these forward-thinking conversations. PeelsDSB is a District on the move! Kudos to the leadership and EdTech team for sharing their insights and passion in preparing our next generation leaders for a future that is complex and not clearly seen.
A big thank you to everyone who joined and contributed to this impactful session! |
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MindShare is Pleased to Announce a Media Partnership with Mental Health Summit! |
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C21 Canada Featured AI Use Case Spotlight Ottawa Catholic School Board |
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From Gen Z to Gen AI: A College Student’s Guide to Success at School and at Work in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
AI is everywhere, in every industry, all over social media, even right in your own home.
There is no escaping it – artificial intelligence is reshaping our everyday lives.
As a college student, it can be tricky to decide what’s okay and what’s not, what’s real and what’s not, and to guess the course of the future. That’s where this guide comes in.
If you’re wondering what impact AI might have on education, careers, or even society, the look no further.
You’ll discover:
The remarkable benefits and ethical challenges of AI
How AI is revolutionizing learning and research, providing tools to enhance your academic journey
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1. New! The OCSB Launches Its AI Certification Course: Supporting Educators in Integrating AI into the Classroom
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As technology continues to shape the future of education, we want to make sure our students receive the most engaging learning experiences possible. That’s why we’re helping our educators learn how to use Artifical Intelligence (AI) in their classrooms. With our new OCSB AI Certification program, educators will discover how to use cutting-edge AI tools to make lessons more captivating and personalize learning for every student. |
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2. NBA All-Star Pascal Siakam teams up with DMZ to launch Siakam EdTech Engine to accelerate K-12 innovation
financialpost.com/ Feb, 18, 2025 |
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A 12-week accelerator for EdTech startups providing funding, mentorship and industry collaboration with school boards.
Toronto, ON, Feb. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, world-leading tech incubator DMZ and Pascal Siakam’s foundation, PS43, officially unveiled a new accelerator program, the Siakam EdTech Engine powered by DMZ, to propel early-stage tech startups from across Canada and the United States dedicated to transforming K-12 education. |
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3. Fort McMurray Hosting VEX Robotics Provincials - A World Championship Qualifying Event!
youthscience.ca | January 31, 2025
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FORT MCMURRAY, AB - February 18, 2025) - The 2025 Alberta Provincial VEX Championships (middle school and high school divisions), presented by Syncrude, operated by Suncor will be hosted in Fort McMurray on February 22, 2025 at the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre at Keyano College. |
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4. Students Explore Local Technology Opportunities
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An amazing array of local innovative technology and manufacturing companies, and schools offering educational paths to get to them, were on hand at the 8th Annual Tech Meet Up at Salmon Arm Secondary on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
Students had the opportunity to talk with representatives of the innovative businesses and learn what they do, what types of careers there are that exist right in their region, and what educational skills are required. |
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5. Louis Riel teachers prepare for AI impact
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Teachers in the Louis Riel School Division have drafted guidelines to leverage and regulate artificial intelligence in their classrooms.
“Instead of trying to ignore this society-changing technology that’s integrating into everything at lightning speed, as a team we decided to not shy away,” said Matt Stelmack, a Grade 9 teacher at Nelson McIntyre Collegiate. |
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Imagine making a garment that changes colour or reacts to sound with your every move. It might seem like science fiction, but Associate Professor Kate Hartman’s new book brings it to life.
Make: Wearable Electronics, Second Edition, empowers readers to dive into the world of wearable technology with projects that can be crafted at home. The hands-on guide features photos, insights and examples from OCAD U students, faculty, and alums with step-by-step instructions. |
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7.York University School of Continuing Studies unveils groundbreaking Digital Construction Management Program to shape the future of construction
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n this new full-time program, students will harness the capabilities of software and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve productivity and sustainability of Industrial, Commercial, Institutional (ICI) and High-rise Residential Construction.
TORONTO, Feb. 19, 2025 /CNW/ - At a time when shortages of skilled workers are impeding Canada's ability to respond to the housing shortage, the York University School of Continuing Studies has officially launched its innovative Post-Graduate Certificate in Digital Construction Management. This program is designed to equip students with the skills and expertise to thrive in a rapidly transforming construction industry. The full-time program, set to begin in September 2025, is now open for enrollment. |
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CourseCompare gave Conestoga a top spot for the best cybersecurity certification programs out of 15 colleges and universities for preparing future IT professionals with classroom learning reflecting the latest trends backed by hands-on experience. |
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The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is beginning a major revitalization project on the south side of its Burnaby Campus, which will ultimately enrich the applied educational experience for students and further cultivate a thriving work environment for employees. The BCIT South Campus Infrastructure Renewal project (SCIR) provides a unique opportunity to enhance public spaces, improve accessibility, and create a more vibrant and inclusive campus environment. It will also upgrade aging infrastructure to ensure climate resilience and support sustainability efforts. |
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10. Open-source collaboration gains provincial backing through new grant
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KAMLOOPS — A grassroots initiative co-led by Thompson Rivers University (TRU) to foster the use of open-source technologies for higher education is gaining momentum with a $100,000 grant from British Columbia’s Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
The Shared Education Resources and Technology (SERT) grant enables TRU and its partners to take the Open EdTech Collective (OpenETC) to the next level.
Founded by a group including TRU, the University of Northern British Columbia and BCcampus, OpenETC arose as a voluntary effort to collaborate with other universities and colleges to share and support the use of open-source technologies such as WordPress for teaching and learning. The site’s community of educators, technologists and designers share their expertise to develop open infrastructure for BC’s post-secondary sector.
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Principal Software Engineer, ApplyBoard
On-Site - Nanaimo, BC
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Professional Learning Events |
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CoSN2025, Seattle
March31- April 2, 2025
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ULead: The Summit of Educational Leadership
April 6-8, 2025
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ASU + GSV Summit: Learning at the Speed of Light
April 6-9, 2025
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MENTAL HEALTH SUMMIT: SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING IN SCHOOLS
April 11-12, 2025
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ISTE Conference
June 29-July 2, 2025
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16th Canadian EdTech Summit -- News Sponsors, Speakers Welcome!
October 28-29, 2025
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Teacher/Parent Resources Corner
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Parent Teaching Resources |
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1. Logics Academy, Canva for Education: Teacher Professional Development Series
Join us for an exciting Teacher Professional Development Series focused on unlocking the power of Canva for Education and its AI-driven tools! This hands-on event will feature four engaging PD sessions designed to help educators enhance creativity, streamline lesson planning, and elevate student engagement using Canva’s incredible features. |
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2. Exploratorium resources |
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Dive into our education resources—and see what you discover. |
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3. esri Canada Education & Research
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Leading Innovation in Education
Advertise your not-for-profit organization or EdTech company, sponsor a Webinar or Canadian EdTech Summit!, share your press releases, career opportunities, and more! To inquire about our EdTech strategy consulting services,
Contact us at robert@mindsharelearning.com
MindShare Learning Digital Marketing & EdTech Strategy Playbook.
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About MindShare Learning
MindShare Learning is Canada’s Leading EdTech Media, Marketing & Strategy Consulting Company. We offer expert insight to the learning technology sector to help leaders and learners thrive in the 21st Century global knowledge-based digital economy.
The MindShare Report Mission
Our goal is to keep you current and at the forefront of innovation in Canadian education through our weekly eMag. Be sure to connect with us:
- Contribute a story, or suggest a MindShareTV podcast
- Feedback, or suggestions on how to improve this report
- Advertise, sponsor, or strategic partnerships
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The MindShare Learning Report team consists of the following individuals:
Robert Martellacci, M.A. Ed Tech., Founder & Chief Digital Publisher
Dr. Ron Owston, PhD., Research Associate, University Professor Emeritus, Former Dean of Faculty, York University
Chris Kim, PhD., Research Associate, Software Engineer, software studio, Fresco Industries
Timothy Gard, B.Ed., OCT, M.A, Chief Learning Strategist
Hanan Mousa, M.B.A, B.C. S. Digital Media Specialist
MindShare Advisory Board
The MindShare Report is grateful for the guidance and support provided by our esteemed advisory board. Members include:
Laurent Burman, M.B.A., Chief Commercial Officer, Sound Commerce
Kevin Custer, Founding Principal, Arc Capital Development
Chip Fesko, Principal, Chip Fesko & Associates
Ian Fogarty, Educator, Riverview High School | MindShare National Video Challenge Award Winner
Dr. GuyTetrault, Award Winning Sun West School Division, Director & CEO (Retired)
Michael Furdyk, Co-Founder, TakingItGlobal
Dr. Eric Hamilton, Associate Dean of Education, Pepperdine University, Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Maxim Jean-Louis, CEO, Contact North/Contact Nord,
Gary Kern, Principal, St. George's School
Dr. Susanne Lajoie, Professor, Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University
David Marsi, Senior Manager Training Initiatives, ScotiaMcLeod
Mirella Rossi, Superintendent of Education, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board
Sandra Chow, Award Winning Teacher, Toronto District School Board (On Leave serving as a Director of Technology & Instruction at a School in China
Ron Sedran, MD, Equity Capital Markets, Canaccord Adams
About The MindShare Learning Report™
Canada's Learning & Technology eMagazine.
Our mission is to provide insight and inspiration to K12 and Post-Secondary education and industry leaders by sharing the latest trends and innovative best practices and success stories in the Canadian education market space and beyond.
Editorial content is welcomed for our weekly and monthly EdTech Reports.
Please forward your news releases as web links to
info@mindsharelearning.com
Advertising opportunities are available, please contact,
robert@mindsharelearning.com
Consulting opportunities are available, please contact:
robert@mindsharelearning.com
Annual subscriptions to the MindShare Learning Report can be purchased at $99 CDN
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Our Valued Clients and Partners |
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