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Community Connected Experiential Learning: Change in the K-12 Classroom
Full text linkEmerging from lived experience in education and student success administration, the researcher offers a critique of experiential learning in Ontario and moves to identify universal problems in policy and system implementation of community connected experiential learning. A qualitative study with K–12 educators from a school board in Ontario and grounded theory methodology is used to analyze, code, and identify several theoretical cornerstones. The prominent themes of teacher pedagogy and community connections emerge and offer implications for theory and practice. The resulting implementation framework—viewed from the school/district/state tri level lens—will guide teachers, administrators, and policy makers on the integration of community connected experiential learning with traditional learning methods and curriculum to provide K–12 students with rich, authentic, and engaging learning opportunities
STUDENTS' CAREER PROSPECT AFTER HIGHER EDUCATION IN GHANA: A LITERATURE REVIEW
Full text linkThis study evaluated how well Ghanaian higher education curriculum connects with the labor market. The study adopted the secondary data collection method to review the related literature. The study adopted scholastic tools like google scholar, scopus, and other global and African data sources to review empirical literature on Ghanaian high education curriculum and labor market. The findings indicate a significant discrepancy between what companies require and what students learn. Employers are increasingly seeking graduates with emotional intelligence, effective communication, and problem-solving abilities in addition to technical talents. The results also highlight the significant lack of hands-on training and exposure to real-world situations that prevent graduates from being truly prepared for the workforce. The study highlights the need for curriculum reform, which suggests that academic programs must incorporate both technical and soft skills. If this curriculum is to continue to be relevant to the demands of the modern labor market, there is a need for increased cooperation between academia and industry. In order to influence career preparedness programs, internships, and professional certifications, employers should be involved in curriculum design and offer their distinct perspectives. In order to better prepare our students for future success, these skill gaps should be filled through academic opportunities that incorporate experiential learning and strategic relationships in the academia. The study's limitations are described, including the challenges of obtaining up-to-date information and the irregularities in research methods of the literature reviewed, offering some indicators that require more investigation to address the problems. Longitudinal studies of graduate outcomes across time would be especially valuable for comprehending the long-term consequences of curricular change and interventions to increase employability
Fort Erie Lodge No. 613 fonds, 1923-1993
Full text linkFort Erie Lodge No. 613 was established in 1923. It was originally part of Palmer Lodge No. 372. In 1922 some members of Palmer Lodge expressed interest in establishing a lodge in the south end of town. Brother W.F. Willson applied to Grand Lodge for a dispensation, which was granted. Their charter was received on July 18, 1923. The first officers of the new Fort Erie Lodge were W.F. Willson (Wor. Master), Warren C. Eagen (Senior Warden), and Arthur E. Johnson (Junior Warden). Around the same time, members from Palmer Lodge who resided in and around Ridgeway petitioned for a new lodge to serve their members, and were also granted a charter in 1923. They became known as Dominion Lodge No. 615. Over the years, membership declined and in 1993 Fort Erie Lodge amalgamated with Palmer Lodge.Fonds contains material related to the activities of Fort Erie Lodge No. 613. Most of the material consists of minute books and attendance registers. There are also some account books, a by-law book containing administrative details, and a record of deceased members. Also contains a booklet on the history of Fort Erie Lodge No. 613 on its fiftieth anniversary in 1973, enclosed in the minute book at the entry noting the anniversary, October 16, 1973
John Ussher fonds, 1792-1793, n.d.
Full text linkJohn Ussher lived in Chippawa. He served with the Queen’s Niagara Fencibles Regiment, Incorporated Militia. He married Mary Street and they had six children together including John Ussher Jr. and Edgeworth Ussher. Edgeworth was a well-known settler in Niagara who was murdered by rebels during the Upper Canada Rebellion in 1838.Fonds contains a partial page of handwritten notes and typewritten transcripts of two letters and a military commission. There are two copies of each typewritten document.
The partial page of handwritten notes concerns Edgeworth Ussher and his brother John Ussher Jr. Edgeworth Ussher’s murder by [Benjamin] Lett is mentioned, as well as John Ussher’s departure for Montreal to make a deposit at the Bank of Montreal.
The first letter is written by John Ussher to his uncle and is dated at Niagara, November 2, 1792. Ussher writes “I now begin to like the army much better than I expected even though we are quartered at such a disagreeable place. I can’t say that Governor Simcoe’s being at the opposite side of the river makes it more lively than if he was forty miles off. He is so taken up with settling this new Province that he can think of nothing else, if I had any idea that I would make a good farmer I should be almost tempted to remain, land application to the Governor will get as much as they can wish for, provided they settle or get others to settle on it and clear off the wood, for its all a vast forest, so great is the rage amongst our Officers for such work, and for being loyal subjects, that no less than our Major and five or six Lieuts (married) are going to sell out and remain in this country…”
The second letter is written by John Ussher to his uncle and is dated at Niagara, September 14, 1793. Ussher writes “…I wish with all my heart you had some of this vast tract of woods that surrounds us being so well supplied with turf you’d make much better use of it than we do. If wood and water constitute the beauty of a country this is beautiful, and yet I’m almost tired of it. In one of my letters I informed you several of our Officers were going to settle in this Province, they now think better of it and seem to have adopted the idea as you justly say, they may find the Indians about this part troublesome, being more in the interests of the United States than ours. It was since my last commissioners from the United States went up to treat with the Indians about the boundary. The Indians will not accept any other but the Ohio, so both sides are ready for war which I believe will be a very bloody one as they have all joined against the Americans except the Six Nations round us. No doubt there have been some engagements ere this…”
He also comments on the uniforms they must wear and the expense, noting that “…we have become quite a high dressed regiment from being the plainest in the army, it looks very fine, but agrees badly with a Subaltern purse…”. Ussher also comments about the health of the citizens, writing that “I may say that this country is very unhealthy, our hospital is full of sick…”.
The military commission is a typewritten transcript of John Ussher’s commission in the Canadian Militia, and is dated June 1, 1838
Exploring the relationship between academic administrators and teaching-related professional development activities and policies for new teaching faculty
Full text linkTeaching is a central focus for most Canadian postsecondary institutions. This study is focused on teaching-related professional development practices for new postsecondary faculty in Ontario colleges and universities. Using Bourdieu’s field theory, intersections of space, power, and people are discussed in relation to professional development practices and activities. Field theory is used to analyze the social relations within the field of postsecondary education as it recognizes that certain individuals, such as administrators, are afforded the ability to influence change (i.e., power) based on their positionality within the field. This study examines the role of senior postsecondary academic administrators (vice-presidents academic and provosts, centre for teaching and learning senior leaders) and their perceived influence on teaching-related professional development activities and policies for new teaching faculty. Using a mixed-methods approach, quantitative data were collected from 23 college (n = 10) and university academic administrators (n = 13), followed by individual semi-structured interviews with eight of the questionnaire respondents (college administrators n = 4 and university administrators n = 4). Findings indicate that current postsecondary teaching-related policies and practices are limited and while there is appetite to require upskilling, it is difficult to impose. Administrators speak to the value of teaching and learning within the postsecondary sector, their institutions, and the role of policy in advancing teaching practices. Recommendations are identified for the field of postsecondary education as well as at the institutional level. Recommendations relate to practices and policies and include normalizing faculty as teachers, teaching-related upskilling requirements, and the implementation of required professional development upskilling policy
Stan Skrzeszewski fonds, 1876-2021, n.d.
Full text linkStan Skrzeszewski was born in England in 1947. His father was a Polish solider and his mother was Scottish. The family came to Canada when Stan was one year old and initially settled in Shanly, Ontario, before moving to Brockville and then St. Catharines. They lived in a home on Garnet Street in the Facer Street neighbourhood. Stan studied Philosophy and English Literature at Brock University before receiving a Master of Library Science degree from the University of Western Ontario. He worked in libraries in Ontario and Saskatchewan before becoming a business consultant. He founded ASM Advanced Strategic Management Consultants. After retiring, Stan turned his attention to writing. He has written several books including a history of the Facer Street district and a book of short plays about the early days of Facer Street.Fonds consists of research material compiled by Stan Skrzeszewski for a book he wrote about Facer Street in St. Catharines. Material includes photographs, news clippings, articles, books and a painting. Several published books by Stan Skrzeszewski are included. There is also some material about Laura de Turczynowicz (née Blackwell). Laura was an internationally known opera singer from St. Catharines who married Stanislaw de Turczynowicz, Count Gozdawa in Krakow, Poland. Material was removed from binders and kept in its original order
Theoretical Investigation of the Electronic Structure in the Reaction Center of Acaryochloris marina
Full text linkThis thesis explores the electronic structure of photosystem I (PSI) in far-red lightutilizing
organism Acaryochloris marina through density functional theory (DFT),
with a particular focus on the spin density distribution around the P740 reaction
center and its surrounding residues. While the final hyperfine couplings show excellent
agreement with experimental values, they reveal a nearly symmetric spin density
between the A and B branches, rather than the anticipated localization on the B
branch. Various computational parameters, including the choice of functional, optimization
method, and model size, were systematically examined to determine their
influence on the final results. Among the tested functionals, TPssh produced the
most pronounced asymmetry while keeping the hyperfine coupling values close to the
experiment. CHARMM-based optimizations yielded lower RMSD values, indicating
greater structural accuracy compared to quantum-based optimizations.
A detailed residue analysis identified specific amino acids such as Trp660 and
Leu623 that play a significant role in modulating spin density, particularly due to
their proximity to the reaction center. Interestingly, some residues like Phe653 showed
minimal influence despite their size, suggesting that spatial positioning is more critical
than steric bulk alone. Additionally, hydrogen bonding networks involving selected
residues may further influence electronic asymmetry by stabilizing charge distribution
pathways. These computational insights provide a deeper understanding of how
local residue environments affect PSI function and may help explain the evolutionary
adaptations seen in organisms like Acaryochloris marina, which perform photosynthesis
efficiently under far-red light. The study concludes by recommending future
QM/MM calculations with expanded QM regions to better capture the protein environment
and resolve discrepancies between computational models and experimental
data
Prospects of the Good Lives Model: An Exploration of its Applicability in Guiding Therapeutic Recreation Services in Forensic Psychiatry
Full text linkThis qualitative study explored the potential applicability of the Good Lives Model (GLM) as a guiding framework for therapeutic recreation (TR) practice within forensic psychiatry settings. Eight recreation therapists currently working in one of Ontario, Canada’s ten forensic psychiatry programs, with more than one year of experience, were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were collected through reflection question responses and semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis revealed three overarching themes: (1) Strong Philosophical and Practical Alignment Between the GLM and TR Practice, (2) Therapeutic Recreation as a Conduit for Delivering Primary and Secondary Goods, and (3) Tangibility of the GLM in TR: Practical Realities in Forensic Psychiatry. Findings suggest that recreation therapists perceive the GLM as a meaningful and practical framework that has the potential to enhance their ability to better support rehabilitation efforts among the forensic psychiatry population. This study contributes to the growing body of literature advocating for strengths-based approaches in forensic psychiatry settings and highlights the potential for deeper integration of theoretical models like the GLM into TR practice
Between Promise and Practice: Unmasking Inclusion in Ontario's Education System
Full text linkDespite Ontario’s formal commitment to inclusive education, a persistent gap remains between policy and practice, particularly concerning the social, emotional, and learning (SEL) needs of disabled students. While inclusive education is widely favoured, growing evidence suggests that its implementation often lacks the systemic support necessary to foster meaningful educational access and belonging.
This study triangulates Ministry policy documents, educator and parent surveys, and in-depth interviews to assess whether inclusion in Ontario schools supports disabled students. It is guided by four research questions: (1) How are disabled students supported in inclusive classrooms? (2) How are disabled students’ social, emotional, and learning needs being met? (3) How do inclusive classroom settings meet the definition of inclusion laid out by the Ministry of Education? and (4) Considering their experiences, how do parents interpret the Ministry’s definition of inclusion?
Drawing on an interpretative phenomenologically oriented methodology, the study employs three data sources: policy documents, survey responses, and semi-structured interviews, which are analyzed across four phases. The sample comprised seven parents (two of whom were also educators) and five teachers from diverse Ontario school boards. A manifest content analysis was conducted to assess surface-level concerns, followed by a latent interpretative phenomenological analysis focused on body, time, space, and relation.
Findings indicate that while participants broadly support the concept of inclusion, its practical implementation is inconsistent, fragmented, and under-resourced. Policy documents articulate aspirational goals related to equity, pedagogy, and community engagement; however, survey data reflect ambivalence, citing inadequate training, limited resources, and superficial inclusion practices. Manifest themes from the interview data highlight systemic deficits in funding and teacher preparedness. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), the latent findings reveal deeper experiential patterns of masking, exhaustion, and a desire to create a sense of belonging. These results suggest that inclusive education often amounts to physical integration without the relational and structural supports required for meaningful participation.
This thesis argues that despite policy commitments, access to equitable education for disabled students is often shaped by systemic inconsistency and influenced by broader ableist and neoliberal logics that structure educational environments. While many teachers are committed to supporting disabled students, their efforts are frequently constrained by limited access to disability-informed training and resources. As a result, equitable access often depends on the emotional labour and persistent advocacy of parents navigating a system that does not consistently deliver on the promise of inclusion.
Keywords: Inclusive education; critical disability studies; interpretative phenomenology; policy–practice gap; Ontario schools; social-emotional learning; belonging; neoliberalism; ableism
Examining the role of PPARβ/δ activation on skeletal muscle metabolism in the rodent model of Barth syndrome
Full text linkBackground: Barth syndrome (BTHS) is an X-chromosome linked disease caused by mutated tafazzin, resulting in reduced remodelled cardiolipin and, in turn, impaired mitochondrial form and function. Skeletal muscle myopathy is a hallmark symptom of BTHS, where skeletal muscle weakness due to mitochondrial impairment leads to exercise intolerance and contributes to disease morbidity. Exercise interventions have demonstrated some improvements in muscle function, although complementary treatment strategies may yield further benefits. Activation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)β/δ improves muscle function and exercise tolerance, partially through improved mitochondrial lipid oxidation. Using the Taz knockdown (TazKD) mouse model of BTHS, previous research has found that pan-PPAR agonism promotes exercise capacity and improved cardiac function. It is hypothesized that PPARβ/δ activation coupled with exercise will improve muscle contractile function and fatigue resistance, while promoting whole-body and skeletal muscle mitochondrial lipid metabolism in TazKD mice.
Methods: 4–5-month-old male TazKD and wildtype littermates, with access to running wheels, received GW501516 (5 mg/kg/day), a PPARβ/δ specific agonist, or vehicle through intraperitoneal injections for 4 weeks. Voluntary wheel running, non-wheel activity, soleus contractile function and fatigability (in vitro contraction), mitochondrial respiration (high resolution respirometry), metabolic adaptations (metabolic caging), and body composition (DEXA) were quantified. Results: PPARβ/δ activation coupled with exercise promoted a decrease in relative fat mass, and preservation in relative lean mass while the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) remained unchanged within TazKD mice. Respirometry data demonstrated increased coupled respiration using both lipid and carbohydrate substrates, within skeletal muscle isolated mitochondria of treated TazKD mice. In vitro contraction revealed improvements in soleus relaxation rates with no change in time to peak twitch force, rate of force generation, and peak twitch force. Interestingly, PPARβ/δ activation also resulted in decreased force generation at various stimulation frequencies, and increased fatiguability within both wildtype and TazKD GW501516 treated groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the potential of PPARβ/δ activation coupled with exercise as a therapeutic strategy for mediating improvements in mitochondrial respiration within the skeletal muscle of TazKD mice. Improvements to skeletal muscle function remained limited to increased rates relaxation within soleus