EduGAINS is an online platform developed by the Ontario Ministry of Education to provide educators and school leaders with resources focused on teaching, learning, and assessment. The target audience includes K-12 teachers, principals, superintendents, and other school staff involved in supporting student achievement.
As a centralized hub for professional support, EduGAINS aims to enhance instructional practices, evaluation methods, and, ultimately, student success. With materials spanning curriculum guidelines, instructional strategies, leadership development, and more, it serves as a key resource for Ontario’s education system.
Background
Originally launched in 2010 under the name GAINS (Growing Accessible Interactive Networked Supports), EduGAINS was created to make professional learning resources more readily available for educators.
Over time, EduGAINS expanded to include a broader range of materials, from classroom tools to inform teachers’ daily practice to system-level guides for improving schools and school boards. Its role also grew from simply providing downloads to fostering professional learning communities through features like discussion forums.
In 2021, the Ministry announced plans to transition EduGAINS resources over to its new Curriculum and Resources website. This shift reflects changing technologies and needs within Ontario’s education landscape. The vision is an accessible, mobile-friendly platform that will continue serving as a go-to site for educators in the province.
Key Features of EduGAINS
EduGAINS organizes its wide selection of resources into areas aligned with priorities across Ontario classrooms.
Curriculum Supports
For core subjects like math and literacy, EduGAINS provides lesson materials, instructional videos, assessment tools, and more. These resources help teachers understand expectations and enhance subject-specific teaching approaches. Differentiated instruction resources are included to support diverse learning styles and needs.
Professional Learning
Resources in this area aid professional development efforts at the school and board level. For instance, the video library on learning goals and success criteria offers useful guidance for assessment. Discussion forums also allow educators to collaborate and exchange ideas.
Assessment and Evaluation
EduGAINS supports assessment for, as, and of learning with instructional videos, samples, and practical guides. The aim is to embed effective assessment within teaching practices to benefit student growth.
Specialized Areas
Various specialized areas – from English language learning to financial literacy to international languages – provide subject-specific resources. These help equip teachers with the knowledge and tools to address unique curriculum needs.
Teaching Through the Mathematical Processes
EduGAINS provides resources to help school leaders support the development of students’ mathematical problem-solving skills and teachers’ abilities to teach through core math processes. These include problem-solving, reasoning, reflecting, selecting tools and strategies, and connecting, representing, and communicating mathematical concepts.
The multi-session professional learning modules accessible on EduGAINS demonstrate how to implement these processes into instruction and encourage teachers to reflect on their practice. By improving math instruction in these areas, student achievement can be enhanced. This ties into school leaders’ responsibility to oversee instructional programs and provide embedded professional development.
School-Level Leadership
EduGAINS also contains resources focused specifically on school leadership practices and development. These materials aim to help administrators effectively set directions, build relationships, develop staff, improve instructional programs, and promote accountability.
Resources in this area include guides on:
- Establishing a shared vision and short-term goals
- Fostering positive school cultures and teacher collaboration
- Providing meaningful instructional support and feedback
- Engaging families and community partners
- Using data and evidence to monitor progress
By leveraging these leadership resources from EduGAINS, principals and vice principals can further strengthen their skills for driving improvements across classrooms and the broader school environment.
Interactive Tools and Digital Resources
EduGAINS also spotlights Ontario-developed interactive resources through channels like mathies.ca. These digital tools leverage technology to engage different types of learners and enrich instructional approaches. They range from mathematics visualizations to literacy programs.
Netmaths
Netmaths is a comprehensive French online math service for students in grades 4 through 8. Its learning modules span core math strands, packed with curriculum-aligned exercises, interactive games, puzzles, tutorials and more. Activities are organized by grade level and track Ontario curriculum expectations.
Key Features: Take-home access, interactive games, built-in calculators, immediate feedback, and whiteboard compatibility.
Benefits: Differentiated instruction, collaborative/independent learning, supplements instruction. Engaging content builds student fluency.
Gap Closing Resources
Targeted math intervention resources designed to address common student learning gaps. Research-driven materials include diagnostic assessments, customized instructional modules, and teacher guides. Meant for struggling learners needing foundational math strengthening.
Key Features: Diagnostic assessments, student books/teacher guides, modules tailored to needs, ePractice technology component.
Benefits: Data-driven, engages learners at their level. Multimedia options promote skill development.
BookFlix
Interactive online literacy resource for Kindergarten to Grade 3 students. Provides over 1000 fiction and non-fiction book titles with accompanying lesson ideas and activities. Develops reading, listening and vocabulary skills.
Key Features: Diagnostic assessments, student books/teacher guides, modules tailored to needs, ePractice technology component.
Benefits: Data-driven, engages learners at their level. Multimedia options promote skill development.
Career Cruising
Comprehensive online career guidance platform tailored for high school students in grades 9-12. Enables individualized exploration of occupations based on students’ strengths, needs, and postsecondary ambitions.
Key Features: The read-along function develops listening and reading skills. Scaffolded support for diverse levels. Accompanying lesson ideas.
Benefits: Introduces subjects engagingly. Fosters early literacy and passion for reading. Whole-class or independent use.
Sample Individual Education Plans
A variety of sample individual education plans illustrate customized approaches to addressing the needs of exceptional students for reference and guidance.
Key Features: Examples covering numerous possibilities, scenarios for both elementary and secondary school levels, special education categories and needs, tailored expectations and goals.
Benefits: Inform educator practice in building effective IEPs centred on each learner’s strengths, abilities and areas for growth, aiming to equip teachers for this critical process.
New Resources Website
As noted above, EduGAINS is evolving into a new online platform—the Ontario Ministry of Education’s Curriculum and Resources site. The vision is to modernize access while maintaining the high-quality content. Users can expect mobile responsiveness, improved search and navigation, and additions over time.
Using EduGAINS for Professional Growth
For teachers and administrators alike, EduGAINS provides abundant materials to inform professional learning. Educators can pursue self-directed development by accessing videos, instructional guides, and more based on their needs. They can also integrate EduGAINS resources directly into lesson plans and school improvement initiatives. With its breadth of support for various education focuses, leveraging EduGAINS materials can enrich instructional practices and leadership efforts across Ontario school boards.
Materials for Teaching and Learning
📚 Title: “Students as Radical Agents of Change”
🖋️ Author: Michael Fielding
This document, authored by Michael Fielding, delves into the critical role of student involvement in educational change, contrasting superficial forms of student consultation with a more profound approach termed ‘Students as Researchers.’ It details the transformative project initiated in a UK high school in 1996, emphasizing the importance of genuine student engagement in research and decision-making processes. The paper concludes by proposing frameworks for evaluating institutional conditions conducive to student’s voices and rethinking the concept of student involvement in school improvement efforts.
📚 Title: “21st Century Skills: Rethinking How Students Learn”
🖋️ Authors: James Bellanca and Ron Brandt (Eds.)
This guide accompanies “21st Century Skills: Rethinking How Students Learn,” a collaborative work edited by James Bellanca and Ron Brandt. The book brings together educational experts to address the challenge of equipping students with the skills necessary for success in the 21st century. The guide is structured by chapter, providing a framework for readers to engage with the book’s content either sequentially or by focusing on specific topics. It serves as a tool for individual reflection and small group discussions or as a resource for educational teams aiming to integrate 21st-century skills into their teaching practices.
📚 Title: “21st Century Competencies: Towards Defining 21st Century Competencies for Ontario”
This document serves as a foundational guide for discussions regarding the adaptation of Ontario’s education system to equip students with 21st-century skills. It emphasizes the necessity for educators to develop strategies that not only focus on traditional academic achievements but also on nurturing skills such as critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. The guide is structured to facilitate discussions among educational experts on integrating these competencies through curriculum design, pedagogical practices, and policy adaptations, with the ultimate goal of preparing students for success in a rapidly evolving, globally-connected, and technologically driven society.
📚 Title: “Using Fraction Circles: Understanding of Fractions”
Fraction circles are educational tools comprised of nine coloured circles, each divided into equal fractional parts, ranging from whole circles to those divided into halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, sixths, eighths, tenths, and twelfths. These manipulatives serve as a visual and hands-on method for students to explore and understand the relationships between different fractions and the concept of a whole. They are especially useful in teaching students to compare, order, and find equivalent fractions, as well as in performing basic operations with fractions. This guide outlines various activities and strategies for effectively incorporating fraction circles into classroom learning, aiming to bolster students’ comprehension of fractions through interactive and engaging methods.
📚 Title: “Report of Recommendations on Financial Literacy: Canadians and Their Money – Building a Brighter Financial Future”
Task Force on Financial Literacy discusses the critical role of financial literacy in enhancing the well-being of Canadians. It outlines a national strategy with a set of recommendations aimed at improving the financial knowledge, skills, and confidence of Canadians through shared responsibility, leadership, lifelong learning, effective delivery and promotion of financial literacy programs, and accountability measures to monitor progress.
📚 Title: “A Framework for Transforming Learning in Schools: Innovation and the Spiral of Inquiry”
🖋️ Authors: Helen Timperley, Linda Kaser, and Judy Halbert
This document presents a detailed approach to reforming educational practices through a structured process known as the spiral of inquiry. Authored by Helen Timperley, Linda Kaser, and Judy Halbert, it emphasizes the importance of continuous inquiry, action, and reflection in driving innovation within schools, with the ultimate goal of enhancing student learning and outcomes.
📚 Title: “Strategies for Fostering Multilingualism: The Role of ILE Programs in Ontario’s Educational Landscape”
🖋️ Author: Ontario Ministry of Education
This guide delves into the intricacies of implementing International Languages Elementary (ILE) Programs within Ontario, aiming to nurture multilingual competencies among elementary students. It underscores the importance of multilingual education in today’s globalized world and provides a comprehensive framework for educators and administrators to develop and manage ILE programs effectively. The document outlines the rationale behind the need for such programs, highlighting the cognitive, cultural, and economic benefits of multilingual learning. It also addresses the diverse needs of ILE students, emphasizing personalized learning approaches to cater to varying linguistic backgrounds and proficiency levels.
📚 Title: “From Communicative to Action-Oriented: A Research Pathway”
🖋️ Author: Dr. Enrica Piccardo
This work by Dr. Enrica Piccardo delves into the evolution of language teaching methodologies, transitioning from the communicative approach to the action-oriented approach as outlined in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It emphasizes the role of learners as social actors engaged in meaningful tasks, integrating linguistic skills within a broader communicative and cultural context.
📚 Title: “Differentiated Instruction in Mathematics: Strategies and Scenarios”
This document provides an overview of differentiated instruction in Mathematics, outlining strategies and classroom scenarios across various grade levels (7, 9, and 11) to demonstrate how teachers can adapt instruction and assessment to meet diverse student needs. It emphasizes the importance of understanding students’ interests, learning preferences, and readiness to foster an inclusive and engaging learning environment that promotes growth in mathematical understanding and skills.
📚 Title: “Adolescent Literacy: A Guide for Parents”
🖋️ Author: Curriculum and Assessment Policy Branch
This guide emphasizes the continuous development of literacy skills in adolescents, highlighting the importance of reading, writing, listening, and speaking in all subject areas. It encourages parents to support their children’s literacy by engaging in diverse reading and writing activities, fostering communication skills, and being curious about their learning. The guide also outlines key components of adolescent literacy, including critical literacy, metacognition, questioning, strategy, and voice and identity, to help students become effective learners and critical consumers of information.
📚 Title: “Connecting Practice and Research: Critical Literacy Guide”
This guide delves into the concept of critical literacy, framing it as a stance or intellectual attitude that enables individuals to analyze, question, and engage with texts beyond their surface meaning. It highlights the origins of critical literacy in the work of Paulo Freire and others, emphasizing its role in challenging societal norms, exploring multiple viewpoints, and fostering social justice through literate practices. The document provides strategies for teaching critical literacy, including juxtaposing texts, questioning assumptions, and encouraging reflection, aiming to empower students to become active, critical participants in their learning and the broader society.
📚 Title: “Reporting Student Learning: Guidelines for Effective Teacher-Parent-Student Communication”
🖋️ Author: Ontario Ministry of Education
This document outlines strategies and practices for effective communication between teachers, parents, and students, focusing on assessment and evaluation to enhance student success. It emphasizes the importance of personalized, clear, and meaningful report card comments that inform students and parents about achievements, strengths, and areas for improvement. The guide also addresses the necessity of ongoing communication through various means beyond report cards and discusses special considerations for students with diverse needs, including those with special education requirements and English language learners.
📚 Title: “Connecting Practice and Research: Metacognition Guide”
This comprehensive guide explores the concept of metacognition, which involves understanding one’s own knowledge, learning processes, and the ability to regulate thinking to enhance learning and memory. It emphasizes the importance of metacognitive skills in fostering self-directed learning, problem-solving, and increased academic achievement across all age groups and disciplines. The guide outlines strategies for teaching metacognition, such as goal setting, modelling thinking processes, and encouraging reflective discussions. It also discusses the developmental nature of metacognitive skills and offers principles for effective instruction, aiming to empower students with the tools needed for intellectual growth and lifelong learning.
📚 Title: “Blocks, Sand, and Water: Essential Learning Tools in Kindergarten”
This document highlights the significance of blocks, sand, and water in Kindergarten classrooms as fundamental resources for fostering comprehensive child development across all learning areas outlined in The Full-Day Early Learning-Kindergarten Program. It elaborates on how these materials support open-ended, play-based learning opportunities, enabling children to explore, create, inquire, and develop essential skills such as problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking. The document also provides suggestions for parents on how to extend this learning at home using everyday materials and discusses the importance of adult engagement in children’s play to enhance learning outcomes.
📚 Title: “Communicating with Parents about Children’s Learning”
This guide focuses on enhancing communication between educators and parents in Kindergarten programs across Ontario, particularly through the use of Kindergarten Communication of Learning templates. It emphasizes the importance of ongoing, varied communication methods and provides guidance on crafting meaningful, personalized comments that reflect each child’s unique learning journey.
📚 Title: “Steps to English Proficiency (STEP): A Guide for Users”
This document provides a comprehensive overview of the STEP framework, designed to assess and monitor the English language acquisition and literacy development of English language learners in Ontario schools. It includes guidance on initial and ongoing assessment processes, strategies for classroom instruction, and the roles and responsibilities of educators and stakeholders in supporting English language learners.
📚Title: “What’s important to do and to know about in Bansho?”
🖋️ Authors: Glynnis Fleming explores
“Bansho” by Glynnis Fleming explores a teaching strategy that involves presenting a math problem with multiple solutions, encouraging diverse problem-solving methods. The approach emphasizes pre-planning to understand the developmental sequence of concepts, preparing materials for visual presentation, and conducting a session where students’ solutions are discussed and connected, fostering a deep understanding of mathematical concepts through collective learning.
📚 Title: “Understanding and Using Rekenreks in Mathematics Education”
🖋️ Authors: GAINS Series Contributors
“Rekenreks” are arithmetic tools developed by Adrian Treffers at the Freudenthal Institute in Holland, consisting of two rods with 10 beads each, split into two colours to facilitate understanding of numbers, addition, and subtraction through visual and strategic methods. This guide, part of the GAINS: Tips for Manipulatives series, offers an introduction to Rekenreks, explaining their purpose and benefits for students in visualizing mathematical concepts, and suggests a variety of activities to effectively incorporate them into teaching.
📚 Title: “Reach Every Student Through Differentiated Instruction”
This brochure provides an introduction to differentiated instruction (DI) for educators, offering insights into its significance, principles, implementation strategies, and resources. It emphasizes the importance of understanding students’ readiness, interests, and learning preferences to effectively tailor instruction to meet their diverse needs. The brochure includes examples of DI in various subject areas and offers guidance on offering choice to students, implementing DI in the classroom, and further reading resources for educators interested in exploring DI in more depth.
📚 Title: “Exploring Pupil Voice in Education”
🖋️ Authors: Professor Jean Rudduck
Overview: This paper delves into the concept of pupil voice in education, examining its significance and potential impact on school improvement. It discusses the consultative aspect of pupil participation, highlighting the importance of listening to students and involving them in decisions that affect their learning environment. The paper presents arguments supporting pupil voice, including its role in bridging the gap between students’ capabilities and their standing in school, its alignment with children’s rights movements, and its potential to enhance school improvement efforts.
📚 Title: “Cross-Curricular Approaches to Think Literacy: Grades 7-12”
This resource provides a series of activities and strategies aimed at promoting literacy skills across various subjects, focusing on Canadian history, civic issues, and global citizenship. Activities include concept formation, talking to the text, small-group discussions, and whole-class debates. The content covers topics such as residential schools, Canada’s intervention in international conflict, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and active citizenship. Each activity is designed to engage students actively in reading, critical thinking, and discussion, ultimately fostering deeper understanding and informed perspectives on complex issues.
📚 Title: “Assessment for Learning Video Series: Planning Assessment with Instruction”
🖋️ Authors: Ontario Ministry of Education This video series, developed by the Ontario Ministry of Education, focuses on the integration of assessment with instruction to support student learning. The first segment, “Planning Instruction, Planning Assessment,” highlights the importance of aligning assessment with instruction by clearly identifying learning goals and incorporating principles of backward design. Through examples and discussions, educators learn how to co-construct success criteria with students, identify big ideas from curriculum expectations, and plan assessment practices that empower students to become independent learners.