Connection Failure: Systemic Disadvantages Facing the LGBTQ+ Community in Therapy and how to Address them

This paper examines the experiences of members of the LGBTQ+ community in accessing mental health care in Ottawa, Canada, both positive and negative, and what might be done to improve outcomes. The paper includes a literature review of empirical studies and theoretical works about conducting therapy with LGBTQ+ clients, as well as the results of a pilot study conducted by the researcher to examine in depth the experience of a small sample of LGBTQ+ clients in Ottawa (N=4). Through semi-structured interviews, the researcher found that three out of four participants had experienced some dissatisfaction with how their identity was addressed in therapy, and as a result their overall well-being had suffered. This implies that therapists could be doing more to connect with their LGBTQ+ clients, potentially through better educating themselves on the issues affecting the community, as recommended by the participants. Increasing therapist knowledge would likely improve mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ clients.

Finding the Right Balance: Integrating Old and New Approaches for Anatomy Teaching

Although anatomy is one of the core knowledge pillars within medical teaching, the level of knowledge covered in the modernized medical curriculan recent years around the world has declined considerably, due to the use of old-fashioned pedagogical methods. This study examines available approaches to anatomy teaching and how to improve student learning in this area, while also targeting higher skills and knowledge for future medical personnel. Using a mix of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to collect data, mini-interviews and online surveys were conducted with a sample of four participants (a student, a resident, and two medical educators) to explore the different aspects of anatomy learning and its key challenges. From this small sample of medical students and educators, data was collected around four key themes: fundamental introductory learning, technology-based education, teaching techniques, and updated curriculum. A thematic analysis of the participants’ insights revealed that, while technology-based alternatives were considered effective tools, dissecting cadavers was the preferred means of learning anatomy.

Teaching Future Dietitians Leadership: A General Needs Assessment

The needs of the patient population are characterized by more chronic or complex health problems and the health care delivery system is constantly undergoing transformation. While discussions among stakeholders about changing the health system are essential, there is a concurrent need to focus on health professions education. There is a need to understand how entry-to-practice standards are used to develop health professions curricula. Based on recent stakeholder consultations and workforce assessments conducted by Dietitians of Canada and provincial interest groups, an emerging area of dietetic competency appears to be leadership. The purpose of this research project was to gain a better understanding around how competency standards are utilized to develop health professions curriculum, with a focus on dietetic curriculum related to management and leadership. To meet this objective, a general needs assessment was conducted using five databases: CINAHL, PubMed, FSTA, Scopus, and ERIC. The ancestry method was incorporated with purposive sampled articles to find additional research articles. The following key terms were included in the search: health professions, dietetics, nutrition, management, leadership, education, curriculum, competency, entry-level. A review of the literature indicates that developing professional competencies in leadership can strengthen some health professionals’ capacity to take on certain roles through competency-based education. In addition, the long-term training effects result in an increase in specific competencies relevant for effective interprofessional collaboration. There is opportunity for pedagogical and practice-based activities to strengthen leadership abilities of future dietetic professionals.

Critical Cosmopolitan Citizenship Education and the Ontario Curriculum

Critical cosmopolitan citizenship education is a transformational approach to education that empowers students to become global citizens through active involvement in the local, national and global communities while seeking to build a better world. This study’s objective was to inquire about how Ontario’s official curriculum guides educators to prepare secondary students (Canadian born and those new to Canada) to become effective citizens of the 21st century. A critical discourse analysis was conducted to investigate the Ontario Ministry of Education’s (OME) approach to citizenship education within the frameworks of critical pedagogy and cosmopolitan citizenship education that encourage educators and students to respect human rights and become active citizens who strive towards peace and sustainability. The discourse analysis included two curriculum documents: (1) The Ontario curriculum grades 9 and 10: Canadian and World Studies (OME, 2018), which addresses civic education, and (2) The Ontario Curriculum Grades 9 to 12: English as a Second Language and English Literacy Development (OME, 2007), which prepares newcomers to improve their English proficiency. The findings confirm that the discourse produced by these documents aims to develop students’ understanding of the global world, but does not necessarily prepare them to act for the betterment of the planet. The findings further indicate that citizenship education in the 21st century should dissociate from a nation-centered approach and focus on preparing students for global citizenry.

Elitist, Inequitable and Exclusionary Practices: A Problem within Ontario French Immersion Programs? A Literature Review

The 2013 Ontario French Second Language (FSL) Curriculum emphasizes inclusivity and bilingualism; however, many students are recommended to opt out of French Immersion (FI). The opting-out of students may support the strengthening of the program by establishing a reputation of success, but how does it affect the withdrawn child? Are FSL programs using best practices to support all learners equitably, or catering to the elite students as a result of misconceptions, lack of resources and professional training? To address these questions, an exploratory and focused literature review of Canadian publications, Ministry of Education documentations and global articles on the topic of bilingualism was conducted, focusing on the works of Genesee (2007) and Baker (2006) on natural language acquisition, Arnett and Mady (2017) on teachers’ and parents’ perspectives, and Gour (2015) and Wise (2012) who report on misconceptions regarding second language education. Emerging trends indicate that elitist practices and unequal access to FSL programs remain a prominent issue in Ontario classrooms. With the understanding that students with learning disabilities (LDs) can succeed in the FI program, removing these learners may in turn, be a disservice to their overall learning. Findings presented in this paper support the need to examine how learners’ abilities are being perceived by educational professionals to provide the necessary tools and supports for success, appropriate training to mitigate misconceptions, as well as retain a reputation for success in FSL programs through equitable means. Acknowledging such discrepancies between what serves as best teaching practice and making it possible in the classroom is necessary to reduce excuses of unpreparedness to meet students’ diverse needs and initiate reflection and training programs that prepare teachers to teach inclusively to all.

Black Educational Leadership: The State of the Art in Ontario Elementary Schools

The current educational system upholds principles and practices that covertly support institutionalized oppression while affirming and legitimizing privilege and entitlement for students, teachers, and administrators who emulate the cultural capital of the dominant Western culture. This systematic literature review, explored ways in which Black leaders have enacted social justice education in Ontario elementary schools from 1970 to 2017. I have searched six academic databases, peer reviewed journals, the media, academic and professional articles and used close reading and textual analysis to critique Social Justice Leadership discourses. Barriers still exist to Black students’ progress. More research is needed for meaningful social change

Le Tableau ST: un site web pour diffuser des pratiques gagnantes en sciences et technologies

Certains constats soulignent le fait que les enseignants au palier élémentaire manquent souvent de formation pour enseigner adéquatement les sciences et les technologies (ST). De nos jours, les élèves doivent développer leurs compétences scientifiques et environnementales pour faire face aux défis du 21e siècle. Un travail de longue haleine nous a permis de développer un site web : le Tableau ST, pour fournir un appui aux enseignants afin de promouvoir l’enseignement des ST en classe, grâce à des pratiques gagnantes rendues accessibles. Les pratiques gagnantes sont définies comme celles qui accompagnent les élèves dans leurs apprentissages et rejoignent des critères définis à la fois par les praticiens, les programmes ministériels et les recherches en didactique. Ce texte présente tout d’abord la problématique, puis le cadre conceptuel qui a animé un travail de trois ans visant à caractériser des pratiques gagnantes en ST d’enseignants de 4e à 6e année dans le but de les diffuser dans un site web. Puis, sont exposés notre méthodologie et enfin les résultats soit les retombées en termes des caractéristiques qui distinguent ces exemples choisies, l’organisation du site web et finalement l’inventaire des pratiques gagnantes obtenues.