UNews - Faculty of Education

Engaging science

darcy.tamayose — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 19:01:05 +0000

In high school, Jared Heidinger (BSc/BEd ’00) was banished to the hallway for clowning in class. He continued to listen through the door, however, and when the instructor asked a question Heidinger shouted the answer through the grate. Grinning, his teacher opened the door and invited him back in. That day Heidinger learned a lesson in classroom management. Today he carries that lesson – striking a balance between clowning and control – into his own teaching practice.

Jared Heidinger shepherds students through the complexities of science by engaging them on their terms.

At Winston Churchill High School in Lethbridge, Jared Heidinger shepherds students through the complexities of science by engaging them on their terms. He often uses popular movies and YouTube to explain concepts. His students learn about photosynthesis and anaerobic respiration by baking bread, and they learn cell structure by building pizzas with toppings representing various cell components. A remote control “news helicopter” delivers quizzes.

“I fly the chopper around the class, land it, then put on a video as if it’s reporting from a live scene,” says Heidinger.

Personalities such as professional hockey player and former pupil Kris Versteeg deliver the assignment.

“The kids aren’t as bitter about a quiz when they see the chopper,” says Heidinger.

For Heidinger, YouTube and Twitter are educational aids. For example, students who participate in a weekly Twitter chat at #scistuchat earn extra credit.

“Some students now see Twitter as a resource,” he notes. “Parents are also realizing its educational value.”

Connecting with students as individuals is important to Heidinger.

“I’m passionate about kids knowing someone cares,” he says.

He shares his life through stories, hoping to reach students who might undergo similar circumstances.

“When you can relate your life to kids they know you’re a person,” he says.

His stories range from comical to poignant, and often illustrate points in his teaching.

“I love teaching. I can’t imagine doing anything else. I like seeing kids learn new things and view the world differently than they did before.”

The study of sports academies: Impact upon students

darcy.tamayose — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 22:13:26 +0000

Dr. Danny Balderson, a small town basketball star who led the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns to the national championships in 2000, is the only player in Pronghorn history to have his jersey retired.

Dr. Danny Balderson has been instrumental in helping to establish sports academies at schools throughout the region.

Today he instills in pre-service teachers his love of sports, and his philosophy that all children, regardless of circumstances, have the right to physical activity.

Balderson’s community spirit and commitment to inclusivity led naturally to his study of sports academies – schools offering sport-specific instruction as part of regular programming. Some academies begin as a way to keep students in school; others to keep schools from closing.

“They’re all different,” says Balderson. To gain context he visited ten academies throughout Western Canada. His findings so far reveal that academy students not only tend to remain in school, but they demonstrate greater dedication to all studies.

“School enrollments have increased,” says Balderson, “which means more teachers and possibly added programs and facilities all students can use.”

Educators also benefit. “When teachers who are passionate about a sport are invited to start a program, they’re engaged and invigorated,” he says.

Although initial outcomes are promising, Balderson plans to fully investigate the challenges academies face as well. Due to the nature of his research he has become recognized as an authority.

“I get a call every couple of weeks from someone starting an academy and wondering how,” he says.

He puts them in touch with comparable schools already operating and encourages academies to work together.

As an educator of future Physical Education teachers, it is imperative to Balderson that he remains involved with children. Sixteen years ago he created a summer basketball camp for youth. Today, the annual camps have mushroomed from 35 participants to more than 300. Balderson hopes to apply his organizational acumen to establishing a Western Canadian Academy Conference.

“Every academy is unique, but there are common elements,” he observes. “They have the same struggles.”

In the spirit of teamwork, Balderson wants to see academies unite, offering each other guidance and support.

For more information, visit:

Hanna Hockey Academy
Vauxhall Academy of Baseball
Westwind Equine Academy
Dr. Danny Balderson research website

Chess as a powerful teaching tool

darcy.tamayose — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 20:12:24 +0000

Andy Davies (BFA/BED ’09) promotes chess as a powerful teaching tool for all grades, including Grade 1, the age he was when he began. “Chess is like the horizon,” he says. “Just when you think you’ve reached an understanding, you realize how much farther you need to go. you never solve the game. that’s the hook. it’s like a never-ending path.”

“Chess is a game of strategy and investment,” says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Education alumnus Andy Davies. “The pieces are characters, so there’s also a sense of narrative. In some games I feel a novel – if things are going well, I move quickly, I’m on the attack, and then one thing happens and I’m defending an onslaught from the other player. Or pieces lock up and suddenly it feels like a forest or hills, with only one gap in the valley or mountains to get through.”

In 2013, Andy Davies (BFA/BEd ’09) established chess clubs in three Lethbridge middle schools.

Mounting research suggests that while the chess battle rages important skills develop: lateral thinking, math, problem solving, cause and effect and forecasting. Behavioural benefits also accrue when playing a game of chess. Students perceived as less academic but good at chess are labelled “smart” by their peers.

“A person who is called smart becomes smart, actually tries harder,” says Davies. “Chess brings kids into an academic fold in a back door sort of way.”

In 2013, Davies established chess clubs in three Lethbridge middle schools – bringing together students of varying personalities and backgrounds. From this group the First Annual Southern Alberta Regional Championship was held this year and included students from all across southern Alberta.

Davies also helped organize a Lethbridge Chess Club event at the Galt Museum this year where thirty-two adults and students matched wits with global chess grandmasters Eric Hansen and Robin van Kampen.

“It’s because of a school club that Eric plays at all,” says Davies. “He started in junior high. He’s twenty-one now and plays world class chess.”

After graduating high school in Innisfail AB, Andy Davies explored the world, living and working in such places as Chili and Peru (where he, his sister, and a friend independently raised funds to build a shanty town school). Eventually, however, he became haunted by the prospect of a former art teacher challenging him about never having pursued his artistic abilities. At the age of 27, Davies returned to school, graduating from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 2009 with a BFA/BEd. Davies presently teaches, and works as a professional studio artist.

“I am the embodiment of someone who models to students that they can follow their dreams.”

UNews - Faculty of Education

Engaging science

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The study of sports academies: Impact upon students

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Chess as a powerful teaching tool

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