3000 teachers head back to school at OISE this summer
July 6, 2011
3,000 teachers are heading back to OISE this summer for Additional Qualifications courses to earn qualifications to teach in other subject areas and advance their teaching skills. The courses are accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers, and conform to the College's Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession and the Ethical Standards for the Teaching Profession. The standards are designed to help educators meet the needs of a variety of learners, adapt to changing curriculum, incorporate current research into daily teaching practices, and integrate technology.
The month-long courses, which began on July 4, meet daily at 252 and 371 Bloor St W, and other locations throughout the GTA. Additional Qualifications courses, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes, are offered online as well as in-class. About half of the students opt to do their courses online. Special Education English as a Second Language (ESL) and Reading courses are very popular.
OISE is the largest provider of technology courses in Ontario, and has seen a big increase in interest in technology studies and enrollment over the past year. Enrollment in Technology courses has increased substantially, from 190 students last summer to over 280 students this year. Students come from all over Ontario for OISE's expanded offering of new technology courses, including: Green Industries, Health Care, Technology Design, Computer Technology and Communications Technology. They now can study teaching Grades 11-12 in addition to Grades 9-10. A new Kindergarten Specialist course will be offered for the first time this fall.
Honour Specialist courses provide teachers with specialized skills, depth and breadth in a subject area such as history or English, for example. Music, offered at St. Michael's Choir School, and Health and Physical Education, offered at Michael Power Secondary School, have 171 and 260 students respectively. Drama and Visual Arts also are in high demand. OISE provides the largest range of Honour Specialist courses in Ontario, with enrollment of over 300 this session.
At OISE, the Principals' Qualification Program (PQP) was designed to assist Ontario's future school administrators to lead effective schools. The role of the Principal in modern, dynamic, diverse schools is critical to the academic success of Ontario's children and youth.This summer, the program has 70 students.
OISE Additional Qualifications courses and programs need teachers with a range of specialized skills. The ranks of 130 OISE instructors include experienced classroom teachers, leaders in the education field, and OISE faculty.
Additional Qualifications Courses are offered four times each year in Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter sessions. Fall courses are currently open to view on the Continuing Education website. Registration opens in mid-July. Learn more about Continuing Education at OISE: http://conted.oise.utoronto.ca/Home.html