Developing Minds 2019 

Simon Fraser University presents a one-day conference on Critical Reading and Writing. Keynote speakers and experts will present best practices in reading and writing in the classroom. With a focus on the literary arts, roundtable discussions will develop practical strategies and sample lesson plans for the new curriculum in BC secondary schools.

Open to teachers and education professionals, Developing Minds gives delegates an opportunity to share and explore key concepts in teaching critical thinking at the secondary and post-secondary levels. 

This year we will have special guest speaker: Dr. Deanna Reder from First Nations Studies and the Department of English at SFU.  

Conference proceedings from last year's successful Developing Minds conference, including recordings of presentations and special guest speaker: Peter Ellerton, Founding Director of the Critical Thinking Project, University of Queensland, are now available.

EVENT DETAILS

  • Friday, February 15th, 2019 
  • 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • SFU Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver 

Missed the event? Recordings and Speaker Presentations  captured the day.

Don't miss out next time. Join our growing online community.

Critical Thinking in Secondary and Post-Secondary Education

Recent changes in the BC education curriculum established Critical Thinking as a core teaching approach throughout K-12 classrooms. Students benefit from a rich community of inquiry that promotes deeper understanding of curriculum content and equips them with valuable life skills. School systems already using this approach have documented success using a number of outcome metrics.

Critical thinking skills transfer readily from the classroom into post-secondary education, and beyond. Not only do they enhance learning outcomes but students also gain a competitive advantage in the job market by acquiring skills in critical, creative and collaborative thinking frequently sought by modern employers.

Developing Minds seeks to open up discussion among provincial education stakeholders keen to explore how teaching critical thinking in K-12 classrooms transfers into post-secondary education for student benefit. 

Simon Fraser University presents a day of roundtable discussion and keynote presentations on teaching critical thinking within BC’s education system, with a focus on humanities and the literary arts for Critical reading and Writing skills. Attendees will hear from keynote speakers with direct experience, and then collaborate to build a provincial framework of reference.