TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

August 15, 2017

I am very pleased to submit this letter of reference for Ms. Kara-Ann Nagel (214687115),

who is applying for the LearningStation.com Canadian Technology Award. Ms. Nagel is a

teacher-candidate in the Faculty of Education, York University and was my student in the course

Global Issues and Education in the summer term 2017. This course examines some important

and topical global issues and their relevance for teachers and students in different subject areas

and grade levels.

Since the course has a significant online component, students are able to implement a

number of instructional technology resources and strategies in preparing their lessons and

activities based on the topics they study. Ms. Nagel has proved herself to be a natural in this,

employing her impressive and extensive background and familiarity with technologically-based

instruction to develop some remarkable lessons and mini-units dealing with topics such as the

North Korean crisis and the issues arising from the recent Canada 150 observances.

In addition to her exemplary course work using IT, Ms. Nagel is involved with a number

of other projects, currently teaching virtually at http://www.mentorphone.com where she is an

ESL teacher over Skype to students in South Korea. She also participates in a weekly #FSLchat

on Twitter where she does professional development and learns from other teachers. In addition,

she has been doing mystery Skypes in the classroom to connect her students with others around

the world. These are just some of the initiatives Ms. Nagel has been involved with that promote

and enhance the use of educational technology in a variety of instructional situations.

 Based on my review of Ms. Nagels outstanding contributions to technology-based

education, both in my course and in her other involvements, I strongly recommend her for

consideration for this award. Ms. Nagel has the potential to be a wonderful teacher, and her easy

familiarity with educational technology at the cutting edge and how it can engage students and

help them understand the world around them and their place in it is truly remarkable. I am

convinced that she would be a worthy recipient of this honour.

Should you require any further information, please contact me at the email address below.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Peter Flaherty

Course Director

Faculty of Education

York University

pflaherty@edu.yorku.ca