May 4, 2023
Riddell Library and Learning Centre & Ross Glen Hall

Program Schedule

at-a-glance schedule.pdf

9:00 am – 10:15 am

Ideas Lounge (EL1270)
Audio/Visual (or Multimodal) Assignments: The Good, The Bad, and the Realistic

Lauren Cross, Luciano Dos Santos, Sara Sharun, Jill Thompson, Amanda Williams

Audiovisual or multimodal assignments such as podcasts, videos, and infographics are becoming increasingly popular at MRU and beyond. These assignments can foster the development of various skills, but may also present challenges that cause both students and faculty to feel overwhelmed, intimidated, or unsure of outcomes and expectations.

Join colleagues for an honest conversation about the benefits, the challenges, and the opportunities of multimodal assignments as alternatives to traditional writing and research assignments. Panelists from Communication Studies, Child Studies, ADC, Student Learning Services, and the Library will share their experiences in designing, facilitating, assessing, and supporting student work in different media, including podcasts, videos, children’s books, and more. 

Maker Studio
Craftivism with BCST & MRU’s Maker Studio

Audrey Burch, Chelan McCallion, Qaher Mohamed

Chelan and 3rd-year students in the Bachelor of Child Studies (BCST) at Mount Royal University adapted a Craftivism workshop from MRU’s Maker’s Studio to create an innovative and impactful project at the 2022 Child and Youth Care (CYC) National Conference. This conference provided space for students, practitioners, researchers, community organizations and post-secondary institutions to share the latest research, resources, policies, and day-to-day practices involving the well-being of children, youth, and families. This 3-hour workshop from the conference will be distilled down to 60 minutes for individuals to add being a Craftivist to their toolkit to bring back to their areas of practice. Button-making machines and supplies will be utilized to create visual representations of participants' contributions to practice. 

Viz Classroom (EL1441)
Maximizing Teaching and Learning with D2L Brightspace: Panel Discussion and a Brief Introduction to HTML Templates

Kumar Chandrasekhar, Kris Hans, Naureen Mumtaz, Glen Ryland

Join Kris, Naureen, Glen, and Kumar, to learn from their experiences and share your experiences using D2L since its adoption in 2022. In addition, learn how we've maximized the use of  D2L to create engaging and interactive content, including videos, quizzes, discussions, and assignments. We will also demonstrate the use of HTML to enhance your Brightspace course layout for impactful learner experiences. This session is ideal for faculty and academic staff who want to learn the latest best practices for teaching in a D2L digital learning environment and are curious about  HTML in the D2L Brightspace context. Join us to enhance your teaching and student learning experience at MRU.

SLS Classroom (EL1451B)
How to use freewriting to develop faculty and student voices

Marty Clark, Maryam Elahi, Richard Harrison, Andrea Phillipson, Joanna Szabo, Michelle Yeo

In this workshop, members of “The Writers’ Guild,” a research group of MRU faculty from several disciplines working together, will introduce attendees to the practice of “freewriting” and its role in supporting the development of both faculty and student voices. Developed by writing theorist Peter Elbow, the freewriting approach asks us to consider writing not only as a means of expressing ideas, but of discovering, exploring, and refining writers’ own understanding of themselves as writers. Led by Richard Harrison, who brings both academic and artistic sensibilities to the project, Guild members Marty Clark, Maryam Elahi, Andrea Phillipson, Michelle Yeo, and Joanna Szabo will guide attendees through the basic practice of freewriting to open up a broader discussion about academic traditions of writing, how Guild members have used freewriting to liberate themselves as writers, and how they are bringing these insights and practices into their classrooms.

10:30 am – 11:30 am

Ideas Lounge (EL1270)
Writing Smarter, Not Harder: Using ChatGPT and AI Writers in the Classroom

Kris Hans

Discover how ChatGPT and AI writers are transforming education and enhancing the student learning experience. Learn about the opportunities and challenges of incorporating these cutting-edge tools into your own teaching practice. Kris will invite his students to showcase how they leveraged ChatGPT and AI writers in his courses to enhance their writing skills, develop critical analysis and thinking skills, and create compelling content. Gain a deeper understanding of how ChatGPT and AI writers can be used to engage students and support the development of critical thinking skills. Join us for this exciting opportunity to explore the future of education!

SLS Classroom (EL1451A)
The SoTL Panel: Reflections on how inquiry into learning changes teaching

Michelle Briegel, AnneMarie Dorland, Collette Lemieux, David Sabiston, Sarah Hewitt, Michelle Yeo

The Mokakiiks Centre for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, and its previous iteration, the Institute of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning has supported faculty members in developing SoTL research projects and programs through a development program and grants funding. In this panel moderated by Michelle Yeo, you will hear from faculty members from different disciplines who have engaged in these opportunities. They will share the impact that engaging in SoTL work has had on their understanding of students’ learning, their teaching practice, and their identity as researchers. Panel members will share learnings fromSoTL work and changes they have made to their classrooms based on what they have learned. They will also explore challenges to conducting SoTL research, and insights gained in the process. 

Flexible Learning Lab (EL2462)
Get Your Pod On

Dee Holstine Vander Valk

All communication is a performance, and by focusing on employing approaches and strategies that are - at their core - real-life in application and performance-based in their design - the aim to allow students to build skills, styles, and experiences that are both authentic (to them) and genuine to the world they are living in.  The students of SPCH 2003 Delivery Techniques for Presentation (a course that draws registrants from every program in the University) undertook a group podcasting assignment that pushed them to innovate, collaborate, and cross-pollinate.  This session will focus on outlining the course assignment's philosophical and pedagogical foundations, then quickly move into an open discussion with students about how they approached the assignment, what they valued in the process, and how they are using their new skills and confidence going into the future.

Viz Classroom (EL1441)
Featuring a Blackfoot (Kainai) Tipi Design in a D2L Indigenous-Related Course: Process, Protocol, Sharing, and Understanding

Elder Joe Eagle Tail Feathers, Christopher Grignard

Blackfoot (Kainai) Spiritual Leader & Elder Joe Eagle Tail Feathers has given permission to share his Blackfoot (Kainai) Tipi Design with Dr. Christopher Grignard. The design will be a D2L feature of the Indigenous courses Grignard instructs. This presentation will highlight their collaborative process. Both Joe and Chris will discuss the protocol that was followed, including a sponsored pipe ceremony where permission was requested. A strong, long-standing relationship of respect and trust between the two has allowed such knowledge to be shared with the MRU community. Attendees will learn what a tipi design is, the vision behind Joe’s design, and the reasons for featuring such a design and story on Chris' D2L. Joe will share his support and his concerns regarding Indigenization initiatives such as this one. Both presenters will speak to what needs to happen when such images - and the knowledge that comes with them - are shared for educational purposes.  

SLS Classroom (EL1451B)
Labour-Based Grading

Chelan McCallion, Shelley Rathie

In an effort to recognize the colonized and settler-privileged approach to westernized education and grading systems, a labour-based grading process was utilized within the Bachelor of Child Studies (CHST) – Mental Health Interventions course and the Bachelor of Business Administration - Compensation and Benefits course. This was an attempt to reduce teacher privilege and increase student choice, empowerment, and preference. Students were asked to provide a labour plan. The labour plan indicated how much effort they wanted to give to their learning and which assignments would lead to their desired output. This presentation will highlight the strengths and challenges associated with labour-based grading, including student feedback and reflection on learning.

Active Learning Classroom (EL2463)
Innovations in Integrating Work-Integrated Learning into Teaching Practices

Sarah Imran, Yifei Wang

Across the world and throughout Canada quality work-integrated learning (WIL) has become an essential component at liberal arts universities, and Mount Royal University is focused on preparing students with skills and experience required for success in today’s world. In this presentation, we will discuss innovative strategies that support faculty in integrating quality WIL into teaching practices and effectively delivering impactful experiences in partnership with community stakeholders. We will some of the excellent work already underway at MRU in support of undergraduate research, directed readings, first-year introduction courses, and special topics. The collaboration between Career Services and multiple departments makes WIL at MRU accessible, flexible and impactful for students. If you have an idea we hope this session will inspire you to create a pathway for MRU students to get engaged in work-integrated learning. 

11:45 am – 12:15 pm

Ideas Lounge (EL1270)
Ungrading as Alternative Assessment

Deb Bennet, Jennifer Boman, Andrea Phillipson

Over the course of the Winter semester, a group of faculty members met to explore and critically reflect on the roles of grading and assessment in teaching and learning. Using the book, Ungrading (Edited by Susan D. Blum) as a source for our discussions, we investigated the definitions of ungrading and what ungrading philosophies could mean for us and our students. We also examined several different models of ungrading and considered how we might use elements of these practices in our approaches to assessment. In this session, we will share what we and our colleagues have learned, our plans for translating our learning into practice, and the questions we still have around ungrading. Through discussion, we also invite you to consider what an ungrading mindset might mean for you and your students.

SLS Classroom (EL1451A)
The teaching and learning experience of forging external and internal collaborations

Liza Choi, Kyle MacKenzie

This presentation will showcase the journey of Kyle (alumnus) and Liza (faculty) in their work to promote equity and inclusion for all Albertans and develop an in-person teaching session for second-year nursing students. Working with the Alberta Health Services (AHS) Interpretation & Translation services team, an in-person teaching session on this service was developed for second-year nursing students. While beyond both of their roles and responsibilities, they hope to aid in the creation of a better environment for English As An Additional Language (EAL) Albertans. This presentation will provide us with the following: 1. Kyle, a recent alumnus, discusses how he became aware of the language issue in the healthcare system and exemplified leadership in seeking assistance. 2. Liza, a nursing faculty, shares her insights into experiential learning outside of the classroom, facilitating student leadership, being innovative in solving problems and community engagement. The presentation will also showcase the authentic partnership amongst student/alumnus and faculty. A key success factor was having a safe and supportive space for student inquiry.

Flexible Learning Lab (EL2462)
Different Strategies to Facilitate Meaningful Reflections among Post-Secondary Students in a Community Service Learning Water Project

Karen Ho

This study explored how continuous diverse reflective exercises embedded in a Community Service Learning Chemistry lab support science students' meaningful learning. The findings of this study are intended for those involved in teaching natural science in higher education, as well as those interested in Community Service Learning, self-directed learning, and reflective strategies. Fourteen students in a second-year Analytical Chemistry II lab participated in this study. Each reflective exercise was purposefully designed and embedded into various lab assessments. A content analysis method was employed to analyze the data from reflective writings, scrapbook reflections, and reflective discussions. All science students were able to articulate their self-directed learning from the perspective of academic enhancement, personal growth, and civic engagement in the different reflective exercises. Students indicated a high level of satisfaction and agreed that the integration of diverse continuous reflective strategies can enhance their transformative learning practice in an engaging way and would like to continue this practice for other science laboratory courses. 

Viz Classroom (EL1441)
D2L Ally - Unburdening Universal Design for Learning

Sarah Callaghan, Robin Randall

Have you ever wondered how to make your teaching more accessible? Ally for D2L can help you learn how and where to look to make your course materials more universally designed. Inclusive, equitable learning made easy - that's the goal of this software.

SLS Classroom (EL1451B)
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Simulation

Danaiet Teame

In recent years, there have been calls for higher education to demonstrate commitment to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Institutions have responded to this identified need and have developed EDI strategic plans. However, many educators are feeling unprepared to implement these required and overdue changes. As indicated in International Nursing Association of Clinical and Simulation Learning (INACSL) guidelines, appropriate, relevant, and timely simulation professional development is critical to building impactful teaching capacity. The goal of this presentation is to describe a process that was taken for a project completed for Canadian nursing, paramedicine and medical laboratory technology programs focusing on promoting EDI in a national virtual simulation-based program. This presentation provides a “how to” tool to embed EDI at each level of simulation design, including scenario development. INACSL simulation design standards have been used to benchmark the tool in order to provide a tangible opportunity to add EDI component at each step of simulation design. This work has been published in Clinical Simulation in Nursing (doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2022.08.004) 

12:15 pm – 1:15 pm - Lunch Break* & Roundtables
*Lunch is not provided

Ideas Lounge (EL1270)
Sowing the Seeds of Planetary Health: Piloting a cross-disciplinary hub for faculty and students at MRU

Linh Bui, Joanna Szabo

As an academic undergraduate institution, Mount Royal University's (MRU) Strategic Planning Framework 2021-2026 identifies the core values of "transformation, belonging, boldness, inquisitiveness and authenticity within the teaching and learning partnerships of our community”. As an Ashoka U Changemaker campus, MRU is geared toward addressing environmental sustainability and identifying how partnerships between faculty and students can promote a thriving experience. In the Fall of 2022, a cross-disciplinary team of faculty and student partners received Teaching and Learning Enhancement Grant (TLEG) funding, to develop an open educational resource ‘hub’/repository with embedded planetary health and eco-grief modules. This panel will discuss experiences of coming together around a shared vision aimed at providing curated accessible resources aligning with values of equity, diversity, inclusion and promoting social justice in teaching and learning about planetary health. The process of ‘getting there;’ who is involved in the ongoing journey; growing student/faculty partnerships; and the ‘fine-tuning’ of details that scaffold the template for the hub will be shared from diverse perspectives within the team. Snapshots of the hub will also be promoted during this session.

Contributing colleagues: Deb Bennett, Sarah Brown, Sonya Jakubec, Bree Smith  Christina Devetzis (ADC) - Educational Technology, Cari Merkley (Library)- Open Educational Resources, Cherie Woolmer (Mokakiiks Centre for SoTL)- Students-as-Partners, Sarah Hewitt - Photography

SLS Classroom (EL1451A)
Recording Audio Feedback for Students on D2L

Jennifer Solinas

Sometimes I find it much easier to verbally summarize and express my feedback to students, rather than typing it out. I have recently begun adding a recording of my feedback to students on their video assignments, including closed captioning. I would like to use this option more often for other kinds of assignments as well, particularly those that are video or audio based, and potentially for written assignments also (likely in addition to some written editing/feedback). I wish to explore what other colleagues are doing to utilize D2L or other technology in ways that facilitate our preferred grading styles, ease the marking burden, and add rich new dimensions to student learning. 

1:15 pm – 2:00 pm

Ideas Lounge (EL1270)
Co-creating undergraduate research opportunities in General Education curriculum to investigate belonging at MRU

Cherie Woolmer

‘You belong here!’ is a message that features prominently around our MRU campus. Using an inquiry-based approach within the Communities and Societies foundational course in General Education, we investigated the ways in which belonging is experienced by members of the MRU community. This included students co-designing a research project to interview faculty about their approaches to creating belonging as well as the students critically examining their lived experiences of being part of the MRU community.  This presentation outlines the approach taken to work with students as co-researchers in foundation level curriculum and offers critical reflection on the opportunities and challenges of supporting co-creation (Bovill & Woolmer, 2019) and undergraduate research (Healey & Jenkins, 2009) early in the learning journey. 

SLS Classroom (EL1451A)
Amplifying the value of MRU degree through mentorship

Sarah Imran, Lori Kearney, Lauren Taylor

Mentees and mentors (often MRU alumni) share how mentorship connects their learning and brings value to their degree in the world of work. Mentees build their professional network; feel empowered in their career aspirations through exposure to a diverse pool of mentors who have achieved professional success; and gain a sense of purpose as a contributing member of the MRU community. Faculty and staff play an important role in encouraging students to participate in mentorship. Equity, diversity and inclusion are critical ingredients of a successful mentorship program. Students are measurably more successful in their degrees when they see themselves and their experiences reflected in their mentors. Mentorship enhances student engagement and degree retention as pairs tackle challenges together. Come and discover how you can inspire and support students in pursuit of a mentorship opportunity, acquire new skills, and augment their MRU degree.

Flexible Learning Lab (EL2462)
Faculty Workbook Consultation on Universally Designed Assessments

Michelle Dow

With an increasing number of students requesting accommodations for testing and other forms of assessments, Access and Inclusion Services, in partnership with the ADC, are planning on offering a community of practice (COP) for Faculty in the Fall of 2023 in order to support the effort of designing more accessible assessments for their courses. This session will be interactive, as I share a draft workbook intended on guiding the reflection process for developing accessible assessments.  Faculty will be invited to share their feedback on the workbook as well as to provide any other input that might help make the COP in the fall more meaningful for them.

Viz Classroom (EL1441)
Prompt Collaboration: Working Creatively and Cross-Departmentally in Response to Emerging Trends in Artificial Intelligence and Higher Education

Joel Blechinger, Silvia Rossi, and Taylor McPeak

In fall 2022, conversations about artificial intelligence, largely focused on OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot and DALL-E 2 digital image generator, reached a critical mass in culture. Sensing a campus-wide appetite to explore these wide-ranging and rapidly-changing conversations, team members from across MRU Library and Student Learning Services quickly struck an ad hoc working group and put on a panel discussion to provide an initial forum for considering different perspectives on this volatile set of emerging technologies. The panel event was attended by nearly 100 MRU community members, and could have continued long past its ending had time permitted. In this presentation, we will reflect on our experience of working collaboratively to mount this event on a short timeline, discuss options for next steps to capitalize on the current momentum around the topic, and present the case for establishing an academic integrity community of practice at MRU.

SLS Classroom (EL1451B)
Akai’sstawasi Ani to pisi: Growth of the Spiderweb - follow-up from last year’s presentation at Celebrate

Elder Roy Bear Chief, Stephen Price

Elder Roy Bear Chief (Espoom Taah for Health, Community and Education) and Dean Stephen Price provide a short overview of the Faculty of Health, Community and Education’s strategic plan: Ani to pisi 2024, as shared in 2022. They will then share the journey the plan has taken over the period 2019 - 2023 guiding the leadership in HCE via the vibrations within the web. Having a strategic plan, especially one with an Indigenous creation store in the centre, has provided a mechanism to be alerted to vibrations thus creating a path to respond to those vibrations, and a challenge to honour the meaning of health, community, and education at the core of our work with students. Health, Community, and Education has responded accordingly to the ever changing growth of Ani to pisi due to relationship building and allyship both internally and externally to MRU. 

Active Learning Classroom (EL2463)
Harnessing Potential Through An Interdisciplinary Research Assistantship

Liza Choi, Celdric Payomo

A research presentation that centers around the teaching and learning relationship between student and faculty. Effective guidance accompanied by an eagerness to learn facilitated a productive research mentorship. The knowledge and skill set attained through an undergraduate education was provided an opportunity to be applied within an assistantship, harnessing the student’s research capabilities through experiential learning. Within the mentorship lies an interdisciplinary approach that lended itself to nuanced perspectives, enhancing the tutoring and learning experience of both student and faculty. The insights found through the collaboration hopes to foster future opportunities for teaching-learning relationships at Mount Royal University that empower a student’s learning through the effective guidance of a faculty. 

2:15 pm - 3:00 pm

Ross Glen Hall
Closing Keynote with Pamini Thangarajah

Introduction by Tim Rahilly, President and Vice-Chancellor (Chair)

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Ross Glen Hall
2022 Distinguished Faculty Award (DFA) Recipients Panel & 2023 Awards Presentation

2022 Award Recipient Panel: Sarah Hewitt, Janet Miller, Sharren Patterson and Gaye Warthe
Hosted by Chad London, Provost and Vice-President, Academic 

Join us for a panel presentation featuring the 2022 DFA recipients and for the announcement of who will be honoured this year.

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Ross Glen Hall
Celebrate Reception and Toast