They’re back: OTF Connects webinars
OTF is pleased to announce our newest series of excellent OTF Connects webinars. Over the coming weeks and months, OTF’s newest series of webinars will feature tips and tools to support you on your teaching and learning journey, across divisions and subject areas.
Our easy-to-use webinar platform provides you with free, effective professional learning accessible–from a distance–across multiple types of devices. You will leave each session with strategies and tools you can transfer to your own learning context. Registration for each webinar is limited, so sign up early to avoid disappointment.
November/Novembre
Expression Matters: Building Student Well-Being
Through Drama and Dance
(en anglais seulement)
Date: November 6, 2025
Time: 4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
REGISTER NOW
Following the global pandemic and other significant events and influences around the world, student well-being and mental health has been paramount. Join the Council of Ontario Drama and Dance Educators (CODE) as they explore the positive impacts of drama and dance on student well-being, and strategies for implementing drama and dance across the curriculum.
Meet your Presenters
Matthew Sheahan is the current Past-President of Council of Ontario Drama and Dance Educators (CODE), having spent four years from 2020-2024 as president. He is the Vice President of the General Meeting Committee for the International Drama and Theatre Educators Association (IDEA), and a veteran Drama teacher from Eastern Ontario. Matthew also facilitates additional basic qualifications in Drama with Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE).
Joanna Perlus is the current Dance Liaison with CODE, and a veteran Dance teacher with the TDSB, having taught at both elementary and secondary levels. She is also a member of the board for Ontario Secondary School Dance Fest, as well as a Conference Committee member for the 2022 and 2025 CODE Conference planning committees. Joanna contributed to Provocations: Drama and Dance Journal as well as the CODE YouTube series CODE Conversations.
Generative Artificial Intelligence: A Revolution in Action for Teachers
(en anglais seulement)
Date: November 27, 2025
Time: 4:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
REGISTER NOW
Since the emergence of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI), and in particular ChatGPT, the world of education has been profoundly disrupted, prompting us to adapt. Many of us are still seeking to understand how Gen AI works and how we can use these powerful tools to support our educational practices.
This session will provide an overview of Gen AI, how it functions, and the challenges it poses in our society and within our educational system. It will also present practical applications of Gen AI for teachers.
Meet your Presenter
Originally from Smooth Rock Falls in northeastern Ontario, Daniel Dubé is an experienced educator and trainer based at École secondaire catholique Algonquin in North Bay. With over 20 years in secondary education and 18 years in distance learning, Daniel specializes in supporting educators with technical and pedagogical resources, including managing the Brightspace Virtual Learning Environment and Google for Education suite.
A father of three, Daniel is also an avid sports fan and outdoor enthusiast. His journey in education, philosophy, and family life is highlighted in episode 39 of the Inspire Leadership podcast and the TV show À fond de train on Unis TV. For Daniel, “To accept being good is to refuse to be excellent.”
December/Décembre
Enhancing Classroom Practices with Generative AI – Part 2*
(en anglais seulement)
Date: December 2, 2025
Time: 4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
REGISTER NOW
Join expert Teacher-Librarian Deidre Harrington, as she shares her hands-on experience in enhancing classroom practices in the age of generative AI. This webinar will focus on:
- Academic integrity and ethics. Teaching critical understanding, including detecting AI generated content and recognizing “AI slop”.
- Reimagining assessment questions to discourage reliance on generative AI and promote intellectual autonomy.
- Moving beyond traditional written responses by incorporating graphic organizers and visual thinking tools into assessments.
*Participation in the previous session of this webinar is not required, but if you would like to watch Part 1, you can find it here.
Meet your Presenter
This is Deidre Harrington‘s 21st year in education. She holds a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Library and Information Science from Western University. Over the years, she has served in various roles, including classroom teacher, eLearning instructor, summer school teacher, department head, Learning Technologies Coordinator, and Ministry course writer. Deidre’s goal is to empower educators to integrate technology effectively to enhance student engagement while also recognizing that mistakes are inevitable, and learning can be messy. She has shared her digital misadventures in professional development presentations both locally and at provincial conferences such as BOLTT and OTKR12.
L’intelligence artificielle générative: la révolution en action pour le personnel enseignant—2ème partie*
(In French only. Get more information and register.)
Date: le 9 décembre 2025
Heure : 16 h 30 à 18 h
LAST YEAR’S WEBINARS 2024/2025
Addressing harmful and discriminatory language in our school communities
The Teachers’ Gateway to Special Education, K-12
Power Point Presentation Document
An Introduction to Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI): How does it work and how might it impact my work as a teacher?
Métis Days of Significance
AI Literacy and Fluency–Responsible Engagement with Generative AI
Enhancing Classroom Practices with Generative AI