Science labs. Rock climbing. Student-led projects. The Amazon Field School. What do these have in common? They are all taught at KPU with an inquiry-based learning model. Or have the potential to be. Inquiry-based learning puts students in the driver’s seat, and has them explore and share an experiential research or creative process/project that holds…
As I near the end of my time in the Teaching and Learning Commons, I am reflecting on the last two years. I have reconceptualized my role as an educator several times since April 2020, integrating new tools, enacting greater pedagogical care, and problem solving in different ways. I’ve been introduced to new methodologies and…
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),…
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about peer reviews? Ponder for a moment and write down a few thoughts before you proceed. Did you think about peer reviews as a tool for students to assess the work of their peers, or a way to evaluate peer contributions towards…
For many of us, the last 18 months have been a time of transition and turmoil as we have faced a global pandemic, a growing climate emergency, increased racial violence, and the impacts of historical and ongoing colonization (to name just a few of the issues that have arisen in 2020-21). As a university community…
Now that you understand PI more clearly, you are probably thinking about how difficult it is to find tools that adhere to these guidelines. You are right! These are challenging waters to navigate but we are here to help. Ideally, you will seek consultation on all your technology needs and limit your technology use to those tools offered by Teaching and Learning and Information Technology. When you are…
“Take care” — it was probably one of the most used phrases of 2020. As we worked through a pandemic, environmental catastrophe, social and political unrest, and economic uncertainty many of us started to think more deeply about the role of care in our classrooms and institutions. Pedagogical care is not a new concept, of…
Today’s blog has kindly been provided by Teaching & Learning Commons educational consultant Dr. Gordon Cobb. It can be viewed here: https://dev.wordpress.kpu.ca/drcobb/creating-interactive-media-with-h5p/