Discover the Camerise Communities collection now available in the eCampusOntario Open Library and access open educational resources (OER) developed directly from real-world practice, designed to support those teaching French, whether in initial teacher education, early career stages, or ongoing professional development.
These are resources that can be retained, reused, revised, redistributed, and remixed, showcasing authentic practices in teaching French as a Second Language (FSL), French immersion, and French-language education in minority contexts across Canada. These OER provide both students and practicing educators with concrete reference points to better understand the education system, reflect on their practice, and shape their professional identity.
Open Resources That Encourage Reflection, Adaptation, and Innovation
The OER brought together in this collection—currently in French and English, with plans to become multilingual—are developed by teachers, instructional designers, researchers, and teacher educators.
For example, the resource Practical Interculturality through the Funds of Knowledge Strategy in FSL proposes practical ways to integrate students’ familial, cultural, and community knowledge into FSL teaching. It helps future educators—including those with migration backgrounds or trained in other education systems—understand how interculturality can become a daily classroom practice by connecting French learning to students’ lived experiences and the diversity of their communities.
In a different area, the DELF scolaire en 8e année – Teacher’s Guide documents an Ontario-based initiative aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This OER provides valuable insight into assessing students’ real competencies, supporting transitions to secondary school, and engaging families. For initial teacher education, it illustrates how a structured assessment approach—from Grade 8 through Grade 12—can build student confidence and ensure pedagogical continuity.
Rethinking French Teaching Beyond the Classroom
The collection also addresses French teaching on a broader scale. The resource Planning Boardwide Cultural Experiences in FSL demonstrates how to design, plan, and evaluate French-language cultural experiences at the school board level. It shows how virtual or hybrid cultural activities can support more equitable access to French across regions while connecting students with diverse Francophone and Francophile role models.
Digital innovation also plays a key role in the collection. The webinar Unlock the Power of Interactive and Inclusive Learning with Pressbooks and H5P in FSL and ESL demonstrates how open tools can be used to create interactive, accessible, collaborative, and adaptable digital books. This resource is especially relevant in faculties of education, as it supports future educators in transitioning from users of resources to creators and co-editors of open educational content, guided by their instructors.
In the same spirit, 101 Creative Ideas to Use AI in Education opens space for critical reflection on the use of artificial intelligence in education, addressing its opportunities, limitations, and ethical considerations. It can serve as a starting point for helping future educators develop a thoughtful and responsible approach to emerging technologies.
A Collection Designed to Grow
These resources represent only a snapshot of the Camerise Communities collection in the eCampusOntario Open Library. New OER will be added in the coming weeks, with the goal of assembling more than 100 open educational resources covering French teaching, interculturality, assessment, pedagogical innovation, open education, and emerging digital practices. The objective is clear: to offer a cohesive and evolving ecosystem that supports initial teacher education, workforce entry, and ongoing professional development.
As Robert Savage, Dean of the Faculty of Education at York University, notes:
“The collaboration demonstrates the Faculty of Education at York University’s support for the French language, which is a constant in our 5-year plan for a pedagogy of excellence. It also reflects our commitment to valuable partnerships, including government, community, and York University, as well as the importance of access to materials available to the community.”
For his part, Marco Fiola, Principal of Glendon College, highlights the value of openness and collaboration:
“It is inspiring to see the evolution of Camerise since its beginnings at Glendon, where the project was launched by professors committed to the training of French-language teaching staff. Today, the Camerise Communities extend this collaborative vision by supporting the training and professional development of teaching staff across Canada through this partnership with eCampusOntario.”
Preparing a New Generation That Contributes as Much as It Learns
We invite professors, sessional instructors, practicum supervisors, school partners, and students to explore this collection, integrate these OER into their courses, placements, and communities of practice, and contribute to their ongoing development.
