Research in Education



2011 Ontario Education Research Symposium

The Ministry of Education held its sixth annual Education Research Symposium in Toronto, February 8-10, 2011. Building on the work of previous years, the theme of the 2011 symposium was "Mobilizing Knowledge in Education – Models, Mediators and Impact."

Plenary presentations, panel discussions, interactive workshops and displays focused on strategies to improve communication and dissemination of evidence throughout the education system.

During the plenary segments, a panel of experts shared observations and experiences about how knowledge can be leveraged to inform a wide range of stakeholders and improve overall performance. Representing the health, environment and education sectors, the panelists were a recurring feature throughout the Symposium. In addition to providing detailed presentations, the panelists returned for open chats, building on earlier discussions and helping to interpret input from the workshops.

The 2011 Symposium featured 10 interactive workshops elaborating on successful models of knowledge mobilization. These models were cross-sectoral, giving participants insights from beyond the education community.

Another set of workshops, led by members of the Ontario Education Research Panel, focused on opportunities for partnerships and knowledge mobilization in relation to priority questions.

Also featured at the 2011 Symposium was a segment detailing the recently launched Knowledge Network for Applied Education Research. At this point in time, the Knowledge Network is acting as a ‘knowledge broker' to facilitate and lead the spread of established and new evidence through networks across Ontario's policy, education and research communities, as well as connecting with national and international networks.

In a keynote dinner address, eminent Canadian science journalist Bob McDonald, host of CBC's Quirks & Quarks, offered a thought-provoking presentation titled, "Information is Not Knowledge."

Throughout the Symposium, participants had the opportunity to browse a "Research Exhibition," which featured 24 displays highlighting models of knowledge mobilization and projects with a strong knowledge mobilization component. The Research Exhibition, now an annual feature of the Ontario Education Research Symposium, enables participants to share and discuss relevant activities and make connections with others pursuing similar work.

As always, the 2011 Symposium's goals were to foster and support a collaborative relationship among educators, researchers and policy makers, and to profile and develop connections among research, policy and practice at all levels of the education system.

Symposium Highlights

Below are links to view either streaming video or PowerPoint presentations of segments of the Symposium. Also included is the list of the projects featured at the Research Exhibition and the program.

Opening Remarks: Setting the Context

  • Hon. Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Education [video | transcript]
  • Kevin Costante, Deputy Minister of Education [video | transcript]
  • Joan Green and Ben Levin, Co-Chairs, Ontario Education Research Panel [video | transcript]
  • Doris McWhorter, Interim Director, Education Research and Evaluation Strategy Branch [video | transcript]

What is Knowledge Mobilization?

  • Penny Milton, former CEO of the Canadian Education Association [video | transcript]
  • Alex Bielak, Senior Advisor to the Chair – UN-Water and Senior Research Fellow and Knowledge Broker, United Nations University – Institute for Water, Environment & Health [video | transcript | PowerPoint (PDF, 1.21 MB)]
  • David Clements, Director of Corporate Planning and Accountability, Canadian Institute for Health Information [video | transcript| PowerPoint (PDF, 1.19 MB)]
  • Carol Campbell, Executive Director, Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education [video | transcript| PowerPoint (PDF, 1 MB)]

Update on Ontario Education Research & Evaluation Strategy

Doris McWhorter and Raymond Théberge, Ontario Ministry of Education [video | transcript | PowerPoint (PDF 930 KB)]

What Can We Learn from Successful KMb Models? How Can We Apply What We Learn to Education in Ontario?
Panel Discussion: Penny Milton, Alex Bielak, Carol Campbell, David Clements [video | transcript]

Listener's Report
Penny Milton [video | transcript]

The Knowledge Network for Applied Education Research (KNAER)

[video | transcript]

  • Mary Jean Gallagher, Chief Student Achievement Officer of Ontario and Assistant Deputy Minister, Student Achievement Division, Ministry of Education
  • Julia O'Sullivan, Dean of Education, OISE
  • Carol Beynon, Dean of Education, University of Western Ontario
  • Raymond Théberge, Co-Chair, KNAER Planning and Implementation Committee [PowerPoint (PDF 192 KB)]
  • Ben Levin, KNAER Director and Co-Chair, Planning and Implementation Committee / Bob Macmillan, KNAER Associate Director and Co-Chair, Planning and Implementation Committee [PowerPoint (PDF, 109 KB)]

Students and Knowledge Mobilization

Steven Slowka, Ontario Student Trustees' Association [video | transcript]

Summary Discussion: Knowledge Mobilization in Ontario Education – Focus on the Future

Penny Milton, Alex Bielak, Carol Campbell, Doris McWhorter, Joan Green, Ben Levin [video | transcript]