When seeking to expand your theoretical inspiration for teaching, it is sometimes hard to know where to start; and whether a theory you are exploring is applicable to the design in general, or better suited to specific stages in the selection, creation or delivery of content. This is something every instructor must decide for themselves…
The implications of the Metaverse are ubiquitous and will alter many aspects of our lives. In this blogpost I focus on two ways the Metaverse will change teaching and learning in higher education. But first, a question: What is the Metaverse? a) a Digital Disneyland where we can escape from the banality of lifeb) self-referential…
As 2021 was drawing to a close, I found myself reflecting on the challenges and successes of the past year and anticipating a more normal 2022. As we began the New Year, it was clear that it would not be normal, and I began to wonder what normal even is? The pandemic continues to challenge…
As we enter each new semester, we look forward to greeting our students, anticipating their journey of learning and development, hopeful for what our students will achieve. In the midst of that hope, our expectations may be tempered with our knowledge, gained from past experience, that some of our students may not succeed. If only…
Many a New Year’s Eve I have seen, and many a New Year’s Eve I have sworn, resolute that I would do this, or that, to better myself. I would pledge away my sweet tooth, declare limitations on my merlot, promise to temper my social media use, or various other pettifogging deprivations. This ritual was always well-intended. As someone who believes in the never-ending pursuit of personal and professional growth and development, I would like to think that I take action to become a better human each year. Nevertheless, the formality of petty resolutions declared on an annually set date that I…
It is easy to be distracted by shiny new toys. Post-secondary instructors are no more immune to the latest and greatest in digital learning tools than their students are to the latest iPhone release or social media platform. But be warned – slick interfaces and pretty graphics are just fancy wrappings over an empty box if sound pedagogy is not contained within. Well-presented professional development…
“Do I really have to buy the textbook?” That question echoed in my ears in my first semester of teaching at KPU. I lost count of how many times students would ask me if they really had to buy the textbook. Each time I answered “yes,” I felt uncomfortable. The textbook was expensive (around $100),…
When I advocate for Universal Design for Learning, I often get questions about academic rigour. Does offering flexible deadlines and approaches, options for assessment, and supports to reduce barriers diminish rigour and prevent students from developing necessary skills? Are we expecting less of our learners and reducing their ability to overcome challenges? In my experience,…
Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Farhad Dastur, a psychologyinstructor at KPU. We had a fruitful and energizing conversation where wediscussed his love for nature, his extensive traveling (I have a feeling I haven’theard half of the destinations he has explored), his passion for teaching, hisnew position in T&L Commons as an…
My name is Alana and I offered to write this blog to share some of my personal experiences and research findings related to the field of restorative justice and post-secondary education that might have resonance with other faculty. I am KPU alum and completed my first two years at Kwantlen College before transferring to the…