Imagine two business people, half a world apart, meeting in a virtual world. Virtual reality goggles allow them to see each other in three-dimensional space, headsets let them hear in stereophonic sound, and a haptic bodysuit that fills with thousands of air bubbles simulates the pressure of a handshake or the exchange of documents. Read more
It’s one of the biggest decisions you’ll make for your child. Let our experts and school insiders guide you through your best options, red flags to watch out for, and tips to a successful application.
Private School Expo - Fall 2023 Yes, I want to attend
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Meet them at the Expo: Oct 14
"Our vision: Encourage life-long Georgians ready to use their scholarship, compassion, conscience and courage to make a difference. Our mission: To challenge and inspire each boy to become the best version of himself.
—From the school
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Meet them at the Expo: Oct 14
"As a Cambridge School, we teach a curriculum that sets the global standard for education designed to help students develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning.
—From the school
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Meet them at the Expos: Oct 14, Oct 15
"Oakville's SMLS continues to be a premier independent school for girls Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 since 1891. "Millie" graduates take on the world with confidence and the knowledge that they can do anything.
—From the school
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"SJK offers an enriched environment of exploration and experiential learning. Through its IB curriculum, SJK provides exciting experiences and guides students to discover their talents and passions. Go beyond at SJK.
—From the school
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Meet them at the Expo: Oct 14
"Prestige School offers programs from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 in Toronto. Its average class size is 10 to 18 students.
—From the school
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Meet them at the Expo: Oct 14
"Our Beyond the Books approach provides opportunities for success in class & beyond; nurturing the growth of students' confidence & self-esteem, to take risks when learning, to reach their personal & academic potential.
—From the school
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"Prestige School offers individualized programs from pre-school to grade twelve in Richmond Hill with an average class size of twelve students.
—From the school
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Meet them at the Expo: Oct 14
"Cambridge International Academy offers an enriched curriculum from grades 1 to 12 in Ajax. Central to the school’s philosophy is the belief that students learn best both inside and outside the classroom.
—From the school
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Meet them at the Expo: Oct 14
"Balanced Academics, Arts, Athletics & Student Wellness. We value best practices & evidence-based approaches. University preparatory & 21st Century Tech-Rich & Future Proof school. Enriched and rigorous curriculum.
—From the school
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Toronto, Ontario York Mills Road/Don Mills Road "We value partnership with parents, creating a genuinely warm and friendly community. We raise the academic bar on academic excellence, and expectations of character, helping the boys become the best that they can be." —From the school
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Meet them at the Expo
Toronto, Ontario Yonge St/Sheppard Ave "Ontario Virtual School is an Ontario Ministry-inspected credit-granting institution offering Grades 7-12 courses in an interactive online format. Students can start anytime with 24/7 access." —From the school
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Montreal, Quebec Rue Sherbrooke/Ave Connaught "College Prep International, a traditional private school in Montreal, offers English instruction with partial French immersion, for grades five to twelve. Its average class size range from 12 to 18 Students." —From the school
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Burlington, Ontario Hwy 6/Dundas Street "Our belief is “Forward Learning. Transforming People”. We focus on the artistic pathway, 21st century learning skills, collaborative discussions, and inquiry-based thinking to prepare students with global competencies." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Spadina/St Clair Ave W "The Bishop Strachan School is a leading independent JK-Grade 12 day & boarding school for girls. Students build the academic skills to thrive at university and beyond. Over $2 million available in financial assistance." —From the school
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Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario QEW/Erin Mills Parkway "GlenOak Academy offers an educational experience as EXTRAORDINARY as your child! Our innovative, engaging approach to teaching and learning focuses on positive relationships, character development and academic success." —From the school
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Meet them at the Expo
Mississauga, Ontario "At Blyth Academy Mississauga, we know each of our students and through our individualized approach, we can meet their needs and make school a great place to be. We're one of eight Blyth Academy campuses in Ontario." —From the school
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Meet them at the Expo
Stratford, Ontario Ontario Street/Waterloo Street South "Private Secondary School in Stratford, Ontario dedicated to providing a holistic education that values happiness, academic excellence, personal growth, and social responsibility." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario Mississauga Road/Eglinton Avenue "Kendellhurst offers students an enriched curriculum blending project-based, traditional and arts-infused curriculum within a seamless technology program. Our school team supports a positive and safe school experience." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Buena Vista Road/Springfield Road "Elmwood School is Ottawa's pre-eminent school for girls from PreK to Gr. 12. Our high academic standards, small class sizes and safe, supportive environment ensure that each girl is inspired to reach her full potential." —From the school
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Winnipeg, Manitoba Langside St./Westminster Ave. "Parents trust us to personalize the educational experience of each girl, to care for each girl, to challenge her to grow, to build a supportive community around her, and, most importantly, to prepare her for the future." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario "Located in the heart of Toronto, McDonald International Academy offers programs for grades 9 to 12 . Our average class size is 10 to 20 students." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario Erin Mills Parkway/Argentia Rd "We are different! As a leading IB World School and university preparatory school with a focus on student life, SJA students are inspired to confidently make their mark in the world." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Highway 417/Greenbank "Acadecap International School (Académie de la Capitale), an IB World School, offers bilingual and/or English programmes from JK to Grade 12. Students thrive in a growth mindset environment and a culture of excellence." —From the school
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Calgary, Alberta "Our Academy (in-person) and Studio (online) personalized programs are designed for students with a diagnosed learning disability to achieve their potential through outstanding support within and outside the classroom." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Mt Pleasant Rd/Davisville Ave "Greenwood’s high-challenge, high-support model encourages academic engagement and growth for every student. Students and teachers build strong relationships within our warm and inclusive community." —From the school
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Brampton, Ontario "Ontario eSecondary School (OES) offers fast, flexible and fully online courses supported by certified staff with free 24/7 tutoring. 8/10 of our students achieve over 85% in their course(s)." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Yonge/Eglinton "We go beyond curriculum expectations to provide opportunities for students to earn admission into their choice of university using our AP accreditation, staff expertise and individual goal setting in small classes." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Yonge St/King St "Keystone students become internationally-minded inquirers, who ask questions and seek their own answers through both local and global perspectives. By nurturing students’ natural curiosity, we foster a love for learning." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Yonge St/Lawrence Ave "Blyth Academy Lawrence Park is one of nine Blyth Academy campuses in Ontario. Our campus located in midtown Toronto provides the warmth and community of a neighbourhood school." —From the school
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Westmount, Quebec Mount Pleasant Avenue/Cedar Avenue "Miss Edgar's & Miss Cramp's School offers a bilingual education for girls from K-11, located in Westmount, Qc. We develop bold leaders and creative thinkers — equipping each girl to be the entrepreneur of her own future." —From the school
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Aurora, Ontario St. John's Sideroad/Yonge Street "With a tradition dating back to 1899, St. Andrew's remains the single largest all-boys boarding school in Canada. Our 126-acre campus provides our students with an ideal setting for learning and growth." —From the school
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Calgary, Alberta 17th Ave SW/Richmond Road SW "In addition to academics, our focus on mentorship, hands-on learning in and outside the classroom, and character development, will allow our students to thrive academically and personally as they discover who they are." —From the school
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Hamilton, Ontario Main St. W./Longwood Rd. S. "Columbia International College is Canada’s largest private boarding school, offering Grade 9 to 12 programs. #1 in scholarships awarded by universities. The University of Toronto's official Global Partner School." —From the school
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Bracebridge, Ontario "Dewey’s educational goals follow the philosophies of John Dewey, preparing students through “student-centred learning" and "learning by doing", while emphasizing the cultivation of the "three New Liberal Arts"." —From the school
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Whitby, Ontario Garden Street/Hwy. 2 "Trafalgar Castle offers AP programming and an academically challenging environment rooted in future-ready competencies that prepare students for a world yet to be imagined." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Don Mills Rd/York Mills Rd "Building on internationally acclaimed preschool reading success, SLI has grown into a hub for ground-breaking student achievement in literary, STEM, and artistic achievement across Pre-K - Gr 6 (offered on site/ online)" —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario "Heritage Academy provides a multisensory learning environment and supports students with Dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, and Anxiety in Grades 1 -12." —From the school
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London, Ontario Wellington Street/Central Avenue "Sycamore School offers grades 8-12 personalized education in an alternative programs that address the needs of secondary school students who may thrive in a small community of learners working toward graduation." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Donald St/Frances St "Providence Academy is the only Private French Catholic School offering a trilingual program of study in Ontario with classes from nursery to grade eight. Tuition: $8,800-10,300. Extracurricular activities: $600-$650." —From the school
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Brantford, Ontario Colborne/Clarence "At Haven, we equip our students with critical thinking skills, a global perspective, and a respect for core values of honesty, loyalty, perseverance, and compassion." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Bank St./Wilton Cres. "Blyth Academy The Glebe focuses on personalized education, small class sizes, and strong student support for Grades 7-12. Big experience in a small school! Part of community of eight Blyth Academy campuses in Ontario." —From the school
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Meet them at the Expos
Toronto, Ontario St. Clair Ave West/Avenue Road "Founded on the science of neuroplasticity, Arrowsmith Program provides students with the skills necessary to overcome their learning disabilities and transform their academic, cognitive, emotional and social lives." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Bayview Ave/Broadway Ave "A daily goal is for our children to arrive at school excited for the day ahead. Aside from our excellent academic programs, we plan many fun events for the children to enjoy throughout the school year." —From the school
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Thetford, Vermont(USA) "TA’s award-winning faculty are recognized for their innovative teaching practices, learners are engaged, and diversity is celebrated. TA students work collaboratively and independently to reach their full potential." —From the school
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Surrey, British Columbia 152 Street/Highway 10 "We understand the importance of developing a well-rounded individual. Our Art and Sports Expert Streams are integrated with the Academic curriculum to amplify our students’ growth into capable and confident adults." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario Tomken Rd./Eglinton Ave. E "Northstar Montessori offers an accredited Montessori curriculum from Toddler age to Grade 8. Our goal is to develop strong character and contributing citizens who understand that their involvement makes a difference." —From the school
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Etobicoke, Ontario Bloor St./Jane St. "Blyth Academy Etobicoke, located in Toronto's west end, focuses on personalized education, small class sizes, and experiential learning." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Avenue Road/St. Clair Ave. "De La Salle College is a Catholic, co-educational, university preparatory school in Toronto from Grade 5 to 12, with an average class size of 20 students and tuition at $16,300 - $16,900." —From the school
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North York, Ontario Avenue Road/Lawrence Avenue "Through our dynamic individual education plans, mentorship, and therapeutic counselling we ensure all students feel comfortable, respected and cared for, so they stay actively engaged in their educational journey." —From the school
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Montreal (DDO), Quebec "West Island College offers French and French Immersion programs from grades 7 to 11 in Montreal. It is a leader in innovative teaching methods. Average class size 24 students." —From the school
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Merrickville, Ontario St. Lawrence Street/Elgin Street "Whether your child is excelling or not reaching their potential, our inclusive, safe, diverse and caring community, with individualized academic attention will improve academic standing, confidence and self-esteem." —From the school
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Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia "Beginning in Grade 8, our unique Shawnigan journey purposefully guides students through a distinct, unparalleled and bold educational experience on our stunning waterfront campus on Canada’s beautiful West Coast." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario "Guidepost is a new Montessori school coming to Toronto, serving children from 10 weeks to 12 years old. We offer year-round programming and rolling admissions into our programs to meet the needs of every family." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Conroy Rd/Walkey Rd "Astolot Educational Centre is a day school with grades 1 to 12 in Ottawa, Ontario. Classroom teacher-student ratios are 1 to 10. Students have the ability to reach their full potential with Astolot programming." —From the school
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Montreal, Quebec Atwater/Docteur-Penfield "Since 1861, The Sacred Heart School of Montreal, the city’s only all-girls English Catholic high school, has been preparing girls to change the world. We offer grades 7 to 12, day school and boarding." —From the school
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St Catharines, Ontario Ontario St./Welland Ave. "Heuristic & autodidactic, inspired by Sudbury & democratic models. Students are self-directed, and holistically empowered. Voluntary attendance, year-round calendar, agency, & consent inspire free learning. Also Forest" —From the school
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Ancaster, Ontario Garner rd w/Panabaker dr "Our friendly, helpful and inclusive environment makes us unique! TBC cultivates respect. We expect our students to work hard, to think critically and creatively. A parent coined it a "Boutique School". Proud to be." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Carling Avenue/Broadview Avenue "Edelweiss Private Academy offers elementary education to students with ASD and other exceptionalities, maintaining small teacher to student ratios. We promote strong academic, physical and social-emotional development." —From the school
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Bayfield, Ontario "After 22 years of teaching courses online, VHS is unrivaled in experience, credibility, and expertise. Our student-centred model provides a world-class educational experience for thousands of Ontario students each year." —From the school
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Caledon, Ontario The Gore Road/Old Church "The King's College experience develops in students responsibility, accountability, and ownership of their own learning and a passion for making a difference. Students can attend in person or synchronously online." —From the school
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Rothesay, New Brunswick Rothesay Rd/College Hill Rd "Our unique, daily Advisor Program ensures every student is surrounded by a strong network of highly qualified, dedicated faculty and staff whose mission is to provide academic, emotional, and social guidance and support." —From the school
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Markham, Ontario "Markham, Ontario; IB School; OSSD; OSSD online credit course; NOIC ACADEMY’s annual university enrolment rate is 100% and more than 85% of graduates are admitted by University of Toronto." —From the school
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Oshawa, Ontario Wilson Road/Adelaide Ave "At G.B.MS, D.E.P.S and Durham Academy Secondary school focus is on each individual student and helping them meet their unique potential and goals. We believe in excellent customer service and families have a voice. Throughout the year we enhance our programs through program enhancement and enrichment." —From the school
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Meet them at the Expo
Toronto, Ontario Bathurst St./St. Clair West "Canada’s only independent, Catholic school for boys in Grades 7-12, taught in the Basilian tradition of forming the mind, body, and soul. Since 1852, we have educated students in goodness, discipline, and knowledge." —From the school
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Richmond Hill, Ontario "A place where every learner is seen, heard and empowered to make an impact in their communities. An unparalleled online learning experience, providing academic excellence, experiential learning and personalized support." —From the school
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This may sound like science fiction, but such technology has arrived in the digital realm of the Internet, and signs point to this media becoming widely accessible in the coming years. According to a recent study, U.S. sales of virtual goods, a broadly defined category that includes software and digital services, have increased fourfold over the past two years and are expected to top $1.6 billion (U.S.) in 2010. (The global market is expected to hit $5.5 billion.)
One of these virtual products is Second Life, freely downloadable software that incorporates a rich array of virtual reality components, providing users with an enhanced sense of immersion or "realism." Using a three-dimensional digital environment, real-life individuals explore and interact using a customized avatar or animated 3-D body. What distinguishes this world from other virtual reality applications is that Second Life is user-defined; real people buy virtual land from Linden Labs, which created Second Life, and use their avatars to build their own simulated reality.
Many simulations mimic real life; others seem to come straight out of Alice in Wonderland. Once "in-world," players can use the search tool to find other virtual worlds for their avatar to teleport between, including Mayan ruins, modern Paris, and even Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.
Read our in-depth articles on online learning in schools
As an educational tool, Second Life's versatility in allowing students to use abstract knowledge within a simulated context increases the chance of gaining knowledge through "active" opportunities, so is conducive to long-term learning. While more gifted learners may interpret abstract concepts readily from text, the addition of speech, music, pictures, video, simulated kinesthetics and interpersonal situations appeals to a wider range of learning styles. For example, a math student learning the Pythagoras theorem could calculate and create shapes with precise measurements, using this information to build a virtual pyramid. The student could then integrate a history lesson, using graphics and sound to enhance the realism, providing other virtual visitors with a guided tour through the tombs. Such a cross-disciplinary approach would enrich a student's conceptual network, providing a multitude of neural avenues to retrieve information, further improving long-term recall.
With such a vast array of environments to visit and create, Second Life provides educators with a new approach to hands-on learning; students can conduct virtual surgeries, manipulate virtual molecules, visit planets or travel back in time and interact with historical characters within the context of a foregone civilization. The possibilities are limited only by one's imagination. Second Life also has the look and feel of a video game, so appeals to students who are highly motivated to learn within this environment.
Worldwide, well-recognized universities and colleges have been creating virtual campuses to complement classroom learning. In England, medical students at London's Imperial College can now train using a fully equipped virtual hospital in which they interact with and diagnose patients, order X-rays and perform virtual surgeries. The University of Texas is incorporating all of its 16 campuses in creating the world's largest undergraduate virtual learning environment. Other institutions found in Second Life include Princeton University, Harvard University, the University of Western Ontario and the International Society for Technology in Education.
With an average of 750,000 users logging close to 4 billion hours monthly and spending $600 million (U.S.) in 2009, Second Life has become a world within a world. Its economy is very real, sporting its own currency–Linden dollars–that can be cashed out into U.S. dollars. It is an environment in which residents can explore, travel, socialize, be entertained, build and learn. However, because Second Life has a "rated R" factor and includes participants from across the globe, some with quirky idiosyncrasies, it is inappropriate for students under 18.
To minimize the risks inherent within the adult world of Second Life, Linden Labs launched Teen Second Life in early 2005, creating a virtual environment for teenagers under age 17. Teachers who seek access to Teen Second Life with their students must first submit to a background check by Interpol, their police department or Ascertain, a private company that conducts screening and investigation reports. Upon approval, a teacher's "adult world" avatar is transferred to the teen world, where it is clearly identified as adult. When a teenager turns 18, their avatar is automatically transferred out of the teen world into the adult version of Second Life.
Recently, Lower Canada College (LCC) in Montreal, Quebec, explored the educational possibilities of Teen Second Life. Interestingly, due to the game's tighter restrictions, the virtual environment evolved differently from that of the adult world. Many collaborative projects evolved between schools with shared academic objectives, and some schools joined their islands together to form larger continents. For example, Global Kids, a group committed to working with inner-city urban youth, uses virtual reality to educate students about foreign policy issues and international relations.
Skoolaborate is another collaborative project on Teen Second Life with a rapidly growing membership, with participating schools developing projects accessible to all residents, thus forming a global campus. Established by Westley Field, the director of online learning at MLC School in Sydney, Australia, the Skoolaborate community began three years ago with six schools. It has since expanded to 45 schools and educational organizations, with the participation of up to 150 teachers and 4,000 students. Skoolaborate is only accessible to students and teachers from member schools, providing an additional layer of security.
What is particularly appealing about Skoolaborate is that it was conceived with the intent of providing students and teachers with an exceptional complement of online support tools and learning resources. When a school develops a virtual reality project, it also builds an array of online training tools that are readily accessible to all residents. Given Lower Canada College's research and development in online learning, Skoolaborate provided us with an ideal venue in which to learn and share with other schools.
Last spring, LCC students began a project that promoted the learning of French. Required to read a French novella, students then rewrote several short scenes to be performed theatrically in Teen Second Life. Students built elaborate sets, acquired costumes and designed props. Other students, as part of a virtual audience, observed the performance, which was recorded and posted on the Internet. Though relatively simple, this first attempt was fun and fascinating for students. This year, LCC drama teacher Natasha Hart will join French teacher Mona Chidiac and me to enhance the performances and facilitate the production of custom-designed costumes and virtual sets.
The academic and social learning opportunities available in a virtual world such as Teen Second Life are numerous and often unexpected. For Westley Field, watching somewhat reclusive students become social butterflies in a virtual world, using their avatar's anonymity to overcome some of their social fears, has been remarkable. Academically, students' ability to design, measure, build, collaborate and then walk through their creations with friends from around the globe is another of the extraordinary learning opportunities. Rarely would you expect to hear a Teen Second Life student say, "But sir, when will I ever use these math concepts in the real world?" The conception and design of virtual reality projects provides students with many opportunities to apply abstract concepts. For those 80 per cent of students whose strength is not primarily linguistic, but rather visual-spatial, kinesthetic, logical, musical, interpersonal or intrapersonal, the richness of cues available in a virtual world provides a venue that evens the playing field for all learning styles and interests.
Read our other in-depth articles on online learning in schools |
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