In the United States, schools are now being encouraged to ask one very simple question before buying a digital tool or renewing a subscription to one: does it actually improve learning? New federal guidance recommends placing greater emphasis on evidence of effectiveness, ongoing evaluation and vendor accountability rather than counting clicks or minutes of use. Let’s take a closer look.

Social media, artificial intelligence, algorithms and misinformation are shaping the way young people learn about the world. For the 2026–2027 school year, the new issue of EngagED Learning gives educators practical ideas, classroom examples and resources to help students think more critically about the information they see, create and share.

How can elementary schools build a structured, progressive media literacy pathway from Grade 1 to 6? Here is a three-level framework to guide students through basic digital skills, critical search strategies, and ethical information use. A practical roadmap for educators aiming to cultivate responsible digital citizenship across all elementary cycles.

How can we help children grow up in a digital world without banning everything or letting everything slide? With screens, social media, algorithms and artificial intelligence now part of everyday life, families can rely on a few simple, practical principles: build a foundation of trust, develop critical-thinking skills, lead by example and, above all, keep the conversation going. These everyday habits can gradually help young people become more independent, responsible and informed in their use of technology.

When the final bell rings, not everything stops in teachers’ minds. There are still emails, students they are worried about, unfinished tasks, and ideas for September. What if, this summer, the real challenge was not to “make the most of” summer break, but to create the conditions needed to return truly rested? Here is what the research says.

A recent study published by the International Observatory on the Societal Impacts of AI and Digital Technologies raises important concerns for education. Just as schools are beginning to adapt to generative AI tools, a new wave is already emerging: agentic AI. For teachers and educational consultants, the study highlights growing concerns about “cognitive substitution” and the urgent need to train students in the responsible use of AI.

What if inclusion were not about helping students “fit in,” but about trying to redesign school so every learner truly belongs? Drawing on Dr. Shelley Moore’s powerful metaphors of unicorns, bats, and coloured dots, this article invites educators to rethink inclusive education from the ground up.

After several years in development, Québec’s National Institute for Excellence in Education has officially begun operations. During a recent webinar, its president and CEO, Lucien Maltais, presented the organization’s mission and priority initiatives, which aim to use research to support classroom practice while respecting teachers’ professional autonomy.

The role of personal mobile devices in schools has become an increasingly prominent topic in education systems across Canada and internationally. As schools seek to balance the opportunities and challenges associated with student device use, many jurisdictions are exploring policies and practices designed to support focused learning environments. 

LEARN’s Pedagogical Services and Educational Technology Team is closing the school year with practical resources for educators: outdoor professional learning, student workshops with Parks Canada, new Culture and Citizenship in Québec activities, and resources for National Indigenous History Month.

The joy of learning is often discussed in education, yet it is rarely clearly defined. Caught between the desire to make learning engaging and the risk of reducing it to mere entertainment, many educators are searching for the right balance. For researcher Jean-François Desbiens, joy in education is neither spectacle nor an easy reward—it is something that must be intentionally designed and thoughtfully cultivated.

What if schools were no longer organized around rigid subjects and fixed schedules? Although this idea is often dismissed as unrealistic, some schools across Canada, the United States, and Europe are already experimenting with alternative models. Micro-schools, hybrid schools, and community-based learning networks all share a common goal: helping students progress at their own pace through meaningful experiences and authentic demonstrations of competency.

Cybersecurity is becoming a classroom issue, not just an IT department concern. Engaged Learning’s “My Online Safety” series brings together resources to help teachers address online risks, artificial intelligence, misinformation and safe digital habits with students.

How can educational communities be supported in times of continuous transformation? Pick up your pen (or your keyboard!) and contribute as an author to the Winter 2026–2027 issue of Engaged Learning magazine.

With the arrival of generative artificial intelligence in classrooms, some schools have chosen to take action. At the AQUOPS conference, Mélanie Lépine and Véronique Plourde, educational technology consultants at Collège Mont-Sacré-Cœur in Granby, presented a concrete approach to developing a policy on the use of AI in schools. Their message is clear: rather than banning it, schools need to guide its use, provide training, and adapt their practices.

After more than two decades, the RÉCIT Provincial service for the anglophone community has reached the end of its mandate. Yet this moment signals more than a conclusion—it highlights a lasting legacy: a vibrant network rooted in collaboration, pedagogical innovation, and a shared commitment to digital competency, continuing to influence classroom practices and inspire new possibilities for teaching and learning in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

A Grade 9 math class singing, collaborating in teams, and solving inequalities is not a dream. This is how a simple adaptation of the popular game Hitstercan energize an entire classroom and leave students asking for more.

As artificial intelligence reshapes both education and the world of work, a key question emerges: what skills will today’s students need to adapt and succeed tomorrow? During a national webinar hosted by the EdCan Network, education experts explored the knowledge, competencies, and mindsets required to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape where AI is redefining both learning and human roles.

How can educational communities be supported in times of continuous transformation? Pick up your pen (or your keyboard!) and contribute as an author to the Winter 2026–2027 issue of Engaged Learning magazine.

How can young people be equipped to develop a critical, responsible, and informed perspective on the content they consume, create, and share—both at school and at home? Pick up your pen (or your keyboard!) and contribute as an author to the Fall 2026 issue of Engaged Learningmagazine.

As students grow older, the legal freedoms and responsibilities they acquire also evolve — but these changes aren’t always clear to young learners. To help bridge that gap, Éducaloi and LEARN’s Educators platform are offering a free virtual workshop series titled “Are You Old Enough?” for Québec classrooms in April–May 2026.

In classrooms across Québec, a new initiative is helping students go beyond textbooks — bringing together second-language learning, coding and intercultural collaboration through creative digital projects. Building Bridges with Blocks pairs English as a Second Language (ESL) and French as a Second Language (FSL) classes to work together using Scratch, the free, block-based coding environment developed at MIT.

Phone-free schools are moving from policy to practice. With differences between and within provinces, many school communities are asking the same question: what does this shift actually look like on the ground? Learn more about this series of webinar designed for everyone involved in making policy work in real schools.

The much‑anticipated Kreocode 2026 challenges are now online! This year’s edition invites educators and learners across early childhood, elementary, secondary and adult education to spark creativity in coding and meaningfully engage with real‑world themes. Ready to dive into the new era of student‑led projects?

From AI-native platforms to ethical design and hybrid learning models, education technology is entering a new phase. In its 2026 outlook, MindShare Learning identifies the key trends already transforming classrooms, supporting educators, and reshaping how learning systems respond to today’s challenges.