We are currently engaged on two kinds of development programs. The first are implementations of the ideas you will find elsewhere on this Website aimed at particular populations. The second are joint projects we are engaging in with Associates in some of our related sites in other countries. We will describe the developments with our Associates when they are adequately funded and underway. Currently we have three development projects underway at S.F.U.

Teacher education module

Project leader: Frank Baumann

Our aim is to develop a module for use in any teacher education program that will introduce students to the ideas you can find on this Website. We are currently in the process of gathering and developing materials, and are seeking the help of those who teach in such programs for their advice on what we are putting together. We will soon be moving to initial field-testing. Thereafter, we hope to make the module available to anyone who wishes to use it. We want to design a relatively easily transportable module—expository materials, including video-tape, CD-ROM, and booklets, exemplary materials, showing the use of the materials in classrooms, and guides to assist instructors in the use of the materials. This is currently being funded from the Canada Research Chair funds provided to Kieran Egan.

On-line Literacy Course

Project developers: Isabelle Eaton, Kieran Egan, Natalia Gajdamaschko

We are currently developing an on-line course that will give pre-service and in-service teachers an introduction to an imaginative approach to teaching literacy. The course will be somewhat unusual in using Vygotskian ideas and drawing on the ideas on this Website. We hope to teach the course for the first time in the summer of 2005, and frequently thereafter. This development is being funded by the British Columbia Ministry of Education.

Literacy module

Our aim is to develop a module that builds on our on-line course in literacy instruction. The module is being designed to be in a “transportable” form, and include video, CD-ROM, booklets, etc. that could be used as a part of any program or course devoted to literacy instruction. Our aim is to provide something that could augment any literacy program, for children or adults, by showing how a Vygotskian approach and the ideas about imaginative education can be effective in engaging students imagination in learning the skills of literacy in a meaningful context.