This is Learning Innovation: The Teaching and Learning Podcast – also known as LITL-Pod. In the spirit of EDI and Niitsitapi’ksimpstaan (Real Thinking), we play host to a spectrum of guests from the Teaching and Learning community. As we highlight and explore innovation in education, we hope to kindle warm conversations, expand perspectives and foster lasting partnerships today, tomorrow and beyond! Listen here, on Podbean, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
The future of learning starts now.
If you or someone you know would like to appear as a guest on LITL-Pod, please contact Jordana Gagnon.
E43: Integrating Sustainable Development Goals into Curriculum to Promote Equity, Environmental Literacy, and Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning
E42: Peer-to-Peer Mentorship – Creating Space for Student Connection and Belonging Amid Challenges of Post-Secondary Environments
E41: How ChatGPT is Evolving the Way We Teach and Assess Academic Writing
E40: Student Core Competencies: Future-proofing Tomorrow’s Workforce with Transferable Life Skills
E39: A Critical Look at ChatGPT in Education – How Natural Language Processors are Shifting Our Perspective on Teaching, Learning and Assessments
E38: Student Panel – Cherishing the Cultural and Community Connections of Black History Month
E37: Innovative Software to Support More Accessible Learning Experiences
E36: Voicing the Blackfoot Perspective – The Retelling of The Battle of Belly River
E35: Interview With The President
Dr. Tai Munro, Sustainability Professor at MacEwan University, and Dr. Jaddon Park, Educational Development Specialist at Lethbridge College, share how sustainability is a common throughline connecting us all – from agriculture to accounting! Tai and Jaddon discuss the social and cultural implications of striving for holistic sustainability, and how it can empower both instructors and students to see beyond ‘the triple bottom line’ and into a space of community, multiculturalism and Systems Thinking.
References
Guests from Lethbridge College gather to share about an innovative Peer-to-Peer Mentorship initiative from the college’s Learning Café and Student Affairs. Laura Coad (she/her), Integrated Support Specialist/Academic Writing Strategist, Elizabeth Eremenko (she/her), Academic Strategist Math and Science, and Kelly Bari (she/her), Coordinator First Year Experience, discuss how this initiative is supporting both mentors and mentees in creating a space of belonging, connection – and soft-skills development.
References:
Dr. Lindy Ledohowski, COO at Wizeprep, Dr. Alec Couros, educational technology & media professor at the University of Regina, and Tatiana Kloster, faculty development lead and academic student support lead from Lethbridge College join the podcast! The trio discusses the good, the bad, and the exciting potential ChatGPT is creating in our teaching and learning ecosystems. They pose thoughtful questions on intelligently integrating language models into the curriculum – not only to accommodate learners and facilitate critical thinking but to mitigate limitations and address ethical implications this technology inherently brings with it.
Seanna Uglem (Career Development Coordinator) and Tanya Weder (Multimedia Production Instructor) join us from Lethbridge College to shed light on the importance of the Student Core Competencies (SCCs) and how learners are naturally developing these critical life skills within curriculum. SCCs (such as critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, communication, etc.) are among the soft skills employers are looking for in future employees, and so, integrating SCCs into curriculum is equipping learners for greater professional success as they transition into the workforce.
Dr. Brenda McDermott, Manager of Accessible Testing at the University of Calgary joins us to discuss her team’s research project – Artificial Intelligence and Academic Integrity: The Ethics of Teaching and Learning with Algorithmic Writing Technologies. Dr. McDermott shares her thoughts on the possibilities of how AI text generators like ChatGPT have the potential to empower – but also seriously hinder – learners, especially when considering equity, diversity and inclusion.
Students Alaina Tolman, Amy-Lee Lateeph, Jojo Kariuki, and Stefan Joseph gather around the mic to discuss Black History Month and how it has shaped them as BIPOC students. The guests emphasize the importance of honouring and celebrating the efforts and accomplishments of those who came before, and consider how they will forge their own identities in the college community and beyond.
Andie Hanson (she/her), Access Specialist from Lethbridge College, shares on new software her department is piloting called Accommodate by Simplicity. This tech shows promise in helping to better support students challenged by disabilities, as well as streamlining workflow for staff and faculty. Innovative solutions like this are one of the many steps being taken to help level the playing field for all learners at Lethbridge College.
Camina Weasel Moccasin (Indigenous Curator at the Lethbridge Galt Museum and Archives), Kris Hodgson-Bright (Lethbridge College faculty member) and Nelson Rabbit (Lethbridge College student alumnus) share their work in retelling the story of the Battle of Belly River from a) a Blackfoot perspective and b) the lens of virtual and augmented reality. It’s been a major endeavour for the group, with challenges and triumphs along the way! The trio speaks about last year’s 152nd-anniversary event and the importance of honouring and respecting the varied Indigenous perspectives of this epic story.
Brad Donaldson, president and CEO of Lethbridge College, joins us to talk about leadership, learning, and the nature of innovation. In this down-to-earth conversation, Brad expands on the beauty of approaching every opportunity with a mindset of curiosity and ‘purposeful experimentation’. We learn about his leadership goals, his ‘WHY’ at the college, and we hear about some of Brad’s favourite, newly discovered spots in the city he now calls home: Lethbridge!
E34: Makerspace Panel – Inspiring Growth Mindsets through Collaboration and Community
E33: Immersive Storytelling: The Battle of Belly River
E32: Global Citizenship and Post-Secondary Education as the New Buffalo
E31: Exploring Makerspaces in Post-Secondary Education
In this special panel-style episode, a full roster of guests joins us to talk about their joint passion: Makerspaces! Guests share about their challenges, triumphs – and of course, the exciting new developments in these “innovation incubators”. The VIP list includes Jessie Sorenson from Lethbridge College, Jon Newman from Olds College, Rob Horlacher from the University of Lethbridge, and Rich McCue from the University of Victoria!
Kris Hodgson-Bright, a faculty member from Lethbridge College, shares about his applied research project: Immersive Storytelling on the Battle of Belly River. Kris collaborated with Indigenous Elders, student alumni, faculty, and other key community members to build this powerful medium that will help bring forward the Indigenous perspective on this iconic historic event.
Lowell Yellowhorn, manager of Indigenous Services at Lethbridge College joins us to talk about Global Citizenship and how some Elders and Indigenous leaders view post-secondary education as the ‘New Buffalo’. Lowell delves into the history of what the buffalo meant to the Blackfoot people and shares his thoughts on how higher education is vital for better, brighter futures for the next generation – especially for Indigenous peoples.
Rich McCue, manager of the University of Victoria’s Libraries Digital Scholarship Commons, joins us to talk about Makerspaces in academia. Makerspaces are physical places where students, staff and faculty are free to experiment, explore ideas – and make some pretty cool stuff! They support active learning and promote innovation in everything from eco-friendly products to more immersive Dungeons and Dragons experiences!
E30: Leading the Way through Authentic Student-led Assessments
E29: How to Develop, Validate, and Disseminate Your Teaching and Learning Research Project through The Scholarship for Teaching and Learning (SoTL)
E28: K-12 STEM Collaboration – Supporting Authentic Learning Experiences through the Trades
E27: Tech Tips with Tyler: Digitizing Reality (Extended Edition)
E26: Tech Tips with Tyler, Special guest Jordana Gagnon
E25: Paula’s Exit Interview
E24: An Exploration of Immersive Technology Inspiring Lifelong Movement
E23: The Role of Education in Reconciliation and Revitalization
E22: Enhancing the Nursing Student Experience Through Foundational Social Practices
E21: Critical Race Theory — Challenging Narratives and Validating Stories of Marginalized People and People of Colour
E20: Tech Tips with Tyler & Artificial Intelligence
Tune in, hit play and get inspired as Danielle Simard, an instructor in the Centre for Business, Arts and Sciences at Lethbridge College, and one of her students, Tracy Sjovold, discuss the impact of student-led assessments. This innovative, authentic assessment method is showing promise in fostering real-world life skills, not only in developing critical thinking and promoting more active learning but also in holding students accountable to empower their own learning experiences.
Tune in, hit play and get inspired as Melanie Hamilton, Lethbridge College’s SoTL research lead (and Chair of SoTL Canada!) shares about her favourite four-letter word: SoTL! This scholarship not only clarifies research and makes it more accessible, but also helps instructors renew and reform their teaching strategies. All it takes is a dash of passion and a splash of curiosity – and you can spark your very own research project, with all the support you need from the friendly SoTL community.
Tune in, hit play and get inspired as we learn all about the unique and promising K-12 STEM Collaboration project between Lethbridge College (LC) and Westwind School Division. Guests Kevin Wiber (the college’s Associate Dean of Trades), Joelle Reynolds (learning experience designer from LC’s Centre for Teaching, Learning and Innovation (CTLI), Brianne Hutchinson (instructional designer from CTLI at LC), and Warren Anderson (educator at Magrath Elementary School from the Westwind School Division) expand on their roles in the project, and how this collab is providing educators with resources to support authentic learning experiences through the Trades in the Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.
Tune in, hit play, and get inspired in this extended Tech Talks episode as Tyler Wall and Jordana Gagnon banter about Tech tools that you can use today. Today’s tech focus is on tools that take our reality and digitize it. During the podcast, Tyler shows Jordana tools that are currently in the marketplace.
Here is a list some of those tools:
Colmap Free
Meshroom Free
Zepher Free’ish
Tune in, hit play, and get inspired as Tyler Wall and Jordana Gagnon banter about Tech tools that you can use today. Today’s tech focus is on news tech tools for sanity, balance and wellness. During the podcast, Tyler shows Jordana tools that are currently in the marketplace.
Here is a list of those tools:
1440
ALLSIDES – Balanced News
Ground news
Charlie
SocialBubble
Tune in, hit play and get inspired as we hear from Dr. Paula Burns, President & CEO of Lethbridge College in this very special podcast episode. Prompted by questions and comments from staff, students and faculty, Paula speaks about her experiences at Lethbridge College over the past nine years. She talks about the importance of creating capacity for change, the beauty of perspective (especially in viewing challenges as opportunities), and the characteristics of good leadership.
Tune in, hit play and get inspired as Simon Schaerz (instructor in the Centre for Business, Arts and Science) and Amanda Mohamed (a student researcher in the Exercise Science program) talk about their passion for movement! Through research and work-integrated learning, Simon and Amanda are exploring how immersive technology can inspire lasting and accessible fitness – especially in youth.
Tune in, hit play, and get inspired as Kirby England (Environmental Sciences instructor) and Lowell Yellowhorn (Indigenous Services interim manager) share their efforts in braiding Indigenous knowledge and western science into Lethbridge College’s Environmental Science curriculum. Kirby and Lowell talk about the rich history of traditional ecological knowledge, the power of language in preserving local culture, and how relationship-building is key to traditional ways of learning and knowing.
Tune in, hit play, and get inspired as Benjamin Northcott — faculty member and practice coordinator for the NESA Bachelor of Nursing Programs at Lethbridge College — talks about new curriculum developments. Drawing from a variety of social theories and practices, he touches on the challenge of distilling and designing information into deliverable, accessible and measurable methods. Benjamin’s passion for improving the student experience shines through, and it’s his mission to help learners master foundational skills and practices to influence long and happy careers in the nursing field.
Tune in, hit play, and get inspired as Ibrahim Turay, instructor in the School of Justice Studies at Lethbridge College explains how Critical Race Theory (CRT) methodology objectively values and validates the stories of marginalized people and people of colour. Ibrahim gets frank about how it’s vital to practice a CRT approach to help not only expand current learning pathways but to help us rewrite harmful narratives that can trap our thinking.
Tune in, hit play, and get inspired as Tyler Wall and Jude Bialik banter about Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and its explosion into our lives through the consumer market.
During the podcast, Tyler shows Jude A.I. tools that are currently in the marketplace. These tools include Writesonic, Personal AI, Delve AI, Krisp AI, Browse AI, Botify, and HUENIT. They also discuss how higher education is handling AI ethics. And, as a bonus, check this out.
E19: How the Trades Fosters Critical Thinking and Lifelong Learning in the Community
E18: How Immersive Technology is Creating More Flexible and Accessible Learning Experiences
E17: Thriving in Action – Developing Resilience in Adult Learners through Grit, Optimism, Gratitude, Mindfulness, and Self-Compassion
E16: Striving for Reflective and Reflexive Learning Through Systems Thinking
E15: Sharing Resources and Preserving Knowledge Through Communities of Practice
E14: Tech Talks – Hyflex Learning
E13: Sustainable, Community-Focused Approaches to Research and Education
E12: Bonus episode – 16 Hours more Innovative but 40% Wrong
E11: Workplace Integrated Learning (WIL), Virtual and Augmented Reality, and creating environments to thrive in
Tune in, hit play, and get inspired as Sheldon Anderson (Dean for the Centre for Trades) and Joshua Hill (an instructor for electrical apprenticeship) discuss the connection between the trades and lifelong learning. This warm and honest conversation reveals how practical, hands-on learning and skills-building develop critical thinking, which leads to connection, innovation, sustainability, entrepreneurship and opportunities galore!
During the podcast, Donna mentions a news article about a recent collaboration between LC Extension and Blood Tribe Employment and Skills Training (BTEST) focused on equipping youth with real-world skills.
Tune in, hit play, and get inspired as Cherie Bowker, Lethbridge College’s Chair of the School of Spatial Design Technologies expands on how Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Extended Reality programs are sparking opportunities for every type of learner. In this upbeat conversation, Cherie traces the growth of this innovative field and even drops a few fascinating hints about “The Metaverse”.
During the podcast, Donna mentions her own VR experience with the program: Traveling While Black. She also says she’s a big fan of HGTV (aren’t we all?)!
Tune in, hit play, and get inspired as two of our most experienced student support staff discuss student resilience, motivation, and stress management! Academic Strategists Diane Fjordbotten and Marianne Martin adapted Dr. Diana Brecher and Dr. Deena Kara Schaffer’s Thriving in Action program for Lethbridge College students and tell Donna how it’s been going so far, as well as the contents and practices used in the program. This program takes a proactive, innovative, and research-based approach to student stress management and this episode discusses safe spaces, positive psychology, and the impact of student support programming on student success, health, and overall life.
Tune in, hit play, and get inspired as EDI Strategist, Michelle Ni Dochartaigh-Derbich and Provost and Vice President of Academic, Samantha Lenci, discuss the value of Systems Thinking. In this passionate, insightful and sobering dialogue, the pair speak candidly about when Systems Thinking excels, and what a breakdown in Systems Thinking looks like—specifically, parachuting cats!
Tune in, hit play, and get inspired as guests Kelsey Janzen (Production Coordinator) and Lorraine Leishman (Learning and Development Plan Team) discuss the knowledge-rich pools known as Communities of Practice (CoPs). Learn how we’re all a part of CoPs, how they facilitate team building, and how you can create your own.
During the podcast, Lorraine mentions she is reading the book, Widen the Window by Elizabeth Stanley, and Kelsey recommends two books: Radical Candor by Kim Scott and No Hard Feelings by Liz Fosslien & Mollie West Duffy. Lorraine also referred to Etienne Wegner when talking about the origins of CoPs.
Questions or comments about Communities of Practice? Reach out to Lorraine Leishman at lorraine.leishman@lethbridgecollege.ca to chat! Especially if you’re particularly jazzed about creating a CoP on Growth Mindset!
Watch the video version of this episode here.
Remember Tyler Wall from Episode 6? If somebody at the College wants to do something cool (innovative) with technology, they’ll probably end up working with Tyler. And remember Jude Bialik? He’s been LITL-Pod’s co-producer from nearly the start and works primarily in student support. Together, they’re co-hosting and co-producing episodes we’re calling “Tech Talks,” where Tyler talks about the most recent technology implemented by the College and Jude makes sure the discussion is accessible to your average educator.
So for today’s episode, tune in, hit play, and get inspired as guests Trevor Gellrich, Lexi Schaerz, and Ryan Robinson, answer Tyler and Jude’s questions about Hyflex. What is it? How and why should you use it? What should you do when a Hyflex lesson doesn’t go as planned (even great technology is still technology!)? And, most importantly, if Lexi, Ryan, and Trevor entered the Thunderdome, who would survive?
Watch the video version of this episode here.
Tune in, hit play, and get inspired by a discussion on how our college collaborates with our larger community for training and research. Our guests are Megan Shapka, Associate Dean for the Centre for Applied Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship and Jason Donkersgoed, Director for Business and Development.
Watch this episode video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7Qn519mpM
If you’d like to get in touch with Megan or anybody at our Centre for Applied Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, use the contact information on their webpage here: https://lethbridgecollege.ca/departments/centre-for-applied-research-and-innovation
If you’d like to register for, or learn more about, our Continuing Education Program, go here: https://lethbridgecollege.ca/departments/corporate-and-continuing-education/continuing-education
If you’d like to know more about Lethbridge College’s Integrated Agriculture Technology Centre, take a look at their website: https://iatc.ca/
Tune in, hit play and buckle up because we’ve got even more nerds – I mean experts – than usual in this episode. Our CTLI leadership team is friends with the academic leadership team from Collarts in Australia and Donna bravely agreed to host a panel discussion with all 5 of them. Topics include: frameworks for innovative educational support, cross-institutional collaboration, the connection between innovation and grassroots initiatives, and the potential future of education considering the rapid change triggered by the pandemic.
The video version of this episode can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QJLg45dR1k
The Collarts website is https://www.collarts.edu.au/
The podcast episode Jackie mentioned where she discusses Complexity Leadership Theory is Episode 3 – https://learninginnovation.podbean.com/e/podcast-3-with-jaclyn-doherty/
The CTLI framework created by Lethbridge College and “not” photocopied by Collarts can be found at https://learninginnovation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/CTLIStrategicInnovationModel.pdf
Ben mentions that futurist predictions tend to be 40% wrong, a statistic he got from a Paul Higgins presentation. Higgins’ website is https://www.emergentfutures.com/consultants/paul-higgins/
E10: International Student Miniseries #3 – Thriving Abroad in the New Normal: An international student’s perspective on learning in Canada
E9: International Student Miniseries #2 – Community, Coops, and Culture Shock with Nancy Barajas
E8: International Student Miniseries #1 – Intercultural Communication with Chiye Kinjo
E7: Coming Together in a Collective Way, Lethbridge College’s Forthcoming Niitsitapi Strategy
E6: Love Your Job and Never Work a Day in your Life—What Does a Digital Learning Specialist Do?
E5: Gamifying Grammar with Murray Bartley and Kirsten Fantazir
E4: Dr. Amy Hodgson-Bright: Rethinking English, Innovative Projects, and HyFlex Learning
E3: Jaclyn Doherty – Leadership, Culture, and Innovation
Both students and instructors can tune in, hit play, and get inspired with Chiye Kinjo, the Coordinator of International Student Services at Lethbridge College. Donna talks with Chiye about her decade teaching in Japan and her current role supporting international students at the College.
The recipe website mentioned is https://cookpad.com/. Chiye also recommends The Gaijin Cookbook: Japanese Recipes from a Chef, Father, Eater, and Lifelong Outsider by Ivan Orkin
Tune in, hit play, and get inspired as Shanda Webber, Manager of Indigenous Services at Lethbridge College, talks with Donna about Lethbridge College’s Niitsitapi Strategy that will launch on March 18, 2021. The conversation will travel through several important topics and themes related to the strategy, its origins and development. Topics such as Indigenous education and pedagogy, and the term Indigenization, as well as community building, engagement, mutual understanding, mutual appreciation, and Indigenous perspectives on innovation.
Tune in, hit play, and get inspired as Tyler Wall, Digital Learning Specialist, talks with Donna about innovation and his approach to problem solving and helping Lethbridge College instructors find digital solutions to particular problems.
Tune in, hit play, and get inspired to leave your comfort zone with these two passionate educators. Murray was a cop for a hundred years and Kirsten researches intrinsic motivation. Together, they completed a promising study on the effects of gamification and motivation in adult learners. Kirsten is always happy to collaborate and her email is kirsten.fantazir@lethbridgecollege.ca
Tune in, hit play, and get inspired as Dr. Amy Hodgson-Bright talks with Donna about her path to Lethbridge College, her passion for literature and innovative teaching, HyFlex, and bustin’ moves on the weekend!
E2: Allen Ledyit, Passionate teaching, becoming a superhero, and…bagpipes!
E1: Interview with Erin Howard, Associate Dean, CTLI
Tune in, hit play, and get inspired as Donna talks with Allen Ledyit (Instructor, Child and Youth Care, Lethbridge College) about passionate teaching and learning, supporting people through personal crises, building community, and…bagpipes!
Tune in, hit play, and get inspired as Donna and Erin, Associate Dean of Lethbridge College’s CTLI, discuss everything from flexible learning and student micro-credentials to competitive dog dancing.
This episode was produced by Donna McLaughlin and Mike Smith.
Host
Producer
Sound technician/editor
Located on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Lethbridge College is committed to honouring the land from a place of knowing. We honour the Siksikaitsitapi as both the traditional and current Land Keepers of this area, and we welcome all First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and non-Indigenous peoples who call Blackfoot territory their home.
