Dr. Philip Abrami Wins 2010 CEA Whitworth Award for Education Research
Researcher recognized for advancing knowledge of how teaching can be engaging for both teachers and students and how teachers can be supported to teach effectively.
Toronto – Sept 29, 2010 – The Canadian Education Association (CEA) is pleased to recognize Dr. Philip C. Abrami (Professor, Research Chair, and Director of the Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance at Concordia University) for his sustained contribution to improving educational research and practice in schools.
Much of Dr. Abrami’s success can be attributed to his drive to make a difference in children’s lives – not simply the children within a specific school, or school board, but all children.
“I had an epiphany midway in my career that there was not enough impact from my research in the field,” says Abrami, “so I decided to focus on changing that. One way includes the application of technology to promote the more effective teaching and learning of important skills. Among these skills, literacy is the key to lifelong success and the nationwide 27.6% functional illiteracy rate among students[1] is unacceptable. Overcoming such challenges continues to drive my passion for this work.”
Dr. Abrami’s research has resulted in new practices for improving the teaching and learning of essential educational competencies, primarily through the development of computer programs. As Co-founder and Director of the internationally recognized Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance (CSLP), Dr. Abrami leads a large cadre of researchers, professionals and students who produce innovative work both in research and in the development of ground-breaking technological tools for use in elementary and secondary classrooms.
For the past 10 years, the CSLP has designed, developed and researched an innovative and powerful resource for schools entitled The Learning Toolkit (LTK), consisting of three inter-related, evidence-based tools for early literacy, learning strategies, and inquiry skills that have now been joined together to give students’ and their teachers’ scaffolded assistance. The LTK is available without charge to educators.
To access examples of Dr. Abrami’s work, please visit: www.cea-ace.ca/whitworthaward
About the Whitworth Award
Each year since 1967, CEA has honoured noteworthy contributions to educational research in Canada. CEA believes there is incredible potential within Canadian research communities for contributing to new perspectives on education and adolescent learning.
About the Canadian Education Association (CEA)
CEA is a cross-Canada network of leaders in the education, research and policy, not for profit and business sectors. CEA conducts research, generates constructive ideas, and shares them through collaboration with educators, students, and other stakeholders. CEA is committed to advancing ideas that lead to greater student and teacher engagement; teaching that inspires all students to learn; and schools that ensure both equity and excellence to meet the developmental needs of all learners in our global and changing society. CEA believes there is incredible potential within Canadian research communities for contributing to new perspectives on education and adolescent learning.
For more information:
Max Cooke, CEA Director of Communications (bilingual)
416-591-6300 ext. 225 mcooke@cea-ace.ca
[1] J.D. Willms, Reading Achievement in Canada and the United States: Findings from the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment, Learning Policy Directorate Strategic Policy and Planning Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, May 2004.
