Big Ideas in Education

Big Ideas in Education is a space where research and practice meet.
Created and curated by Deborah McCallum, educator, lecturer, consultant, and doctoral student in Developmental Psychology and Education at OISE, University of Toronto, this site is dedicated to translating educational research into practical, evidence-based resources for teachers, administrators, and policy-makers.

My work focuses on:
• Literacy and Language Development — bridging the science of reading with real classroom practice.
• Assessment and Intervention — connecting psychoeducational insights with instructional strategies.
• Teacher Education and Curriculum — preparing future educators to teach reading and writing with rigour and equity.
• Educational Psychology — exploring how executive functioning, self-regulation, and motivation shape student learning.

At Big Ideas in Education, you’ll find:
• Research-Informed Articles – reflections and summaries of current studies, policy documents, and curriculum reforms.
• Professional Resources – tools, templates, and guides that make complex evidence accessible for classroom use.
• Knowledge Mobilization Projects – ongoing efforts to connect academic research with the day-to-day realities of schools.

My goal is to make educational research actionable. Whether you are a teacher designing a lesson, a graduate student engaging with theory, or a policy-maker shaping system-wide change, these resources are intended to support deep, evidence-based, and inclusive educational practice.