RESOURCES

Slides for Session 1 Presentation

Presenters: Oleg Legusov; Oleksandr Antonenko

International students represent a vital segment of the Seneca student population. Yet their academic and personal journeys are often marked by challenges that extend beyond those of domestic students. Research identifies common barriers: mastering academic English, adapting to North American classroom dynamics, understanding academic integrity rules, maintaining visa status, securing regulated employment, and managing health insurance requirements. External pressures compound these challenges. Attendees of this workshop will gain a better understanding of the multifaceted challenges international students face, the limitations of reactive advising, and the potential impact of proactive, anticipatory support. 

Slides for Session 1 Presentation

Presenter: Sharon Gomez 

What happens when learning leaves the lecture and goes out into the world? This workshop will share how in‑class activities and real‑world site visits engage Cosmetic Science students in situations that will be experienced in the workplace to help them see where theory meets practice. This workshop will be framed through the lens of the Cosmetic Science program and how class and lab work is carrying though to the workplace.

Zoom link: https://senecapolytechnic.zoom.us/j/96939442905

Slides for Session 1 Presentation

Presenters: Dan Lonergan, Olivia Lum

Designing meaningful curricular experiential learning can be highly impactful, but also complex. This interactive workshop highlights how faculty can create, challenge, and connect more effectively by partnering with the Experiential Learning (EL) team as a one‑stop resource for best practices and implementation support. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how collaboration with the EL team can strengthen project quality, reduce risk, and create more meaningful learning experiences for students while deepening connections with external partners.

Zoom link: https://senecapolytechnic.zoom.us/j/99511849641

K3265
Presenter: Katarina Ohlsson

In this workshop, Katarina will go over her experience over the last six semesters with getting students to do primary research in a diploma level Gen Ed. The session will explain the process from REB approval to how to engage students in the process of designing, collecting and analyzing survey results. Importantly, the workshop will also cover the wins and challenges that typically occur throughout the process. Spoiler: They can do it!

Slides for Session 1 Presentation
Video link to Session 1 Recording

Presenters: Mahipal Jadeja, Paul Hinds, Mary Bantug

This workshop highlights a faculty-led case study in experiential learning, applied sustainability education, and global collaboration through the development and delivery of a Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) Systems course and hands-on prototype. Drawing on a Seneca-led initiative, the workshop showcases how faculty designed curriculum, built a functional RWH prototype on Seneca’s Newnham Campus, and translated this hands-on learning model into a Training of Trainers (ToT) program delivered at Munguri Folk Development College (FDC) in Tanzania. Participants will explore how technical content, applied research, and experiential learning were intentionally integrated into curriculum design, assessment, and delivery—both locally and internationally.

Slides for Session 1 Presentation

Presenters: Cheryl Mitri, Michael Myers

In a world of AI, virtual classrooms, and the increasing mental stress our students feel, it is crucial that we challenge ourselves to create classrooms that offer students the opportunity to connect with the benefits of mindfulness practices, which will allow us to offer a more high quality and holistic educational experience. Join Cheryl Mitri from Accessible Learning Services and Michael Myers from Seneca Libraries as they introduce the upcoming multimedia OER titled “Mindfulness in Education: A Faculty Guide to Integrating Mindfulness into Curriculum”.  In this workshop, Cheryl and Michael will provide: a walkthrough of the creation process, an explanation of the mindfulness practices and benefits of integrating them into the curriculum with a challenge to incorporate them into your classrooms, and an opportunity to learn how to connect mindfulness and wellness with high quality curriculum. 

K3280
Presenter: Melissa Warner 

This evidence-based workshop equips faculty with practical strategies to enhance the effectiveness of student groupwork while minimizing common challenges. The workshop emphasizes the documented impact of poorly structured groupwork on student well-being, including stress, anxiety, and interpersonal conflict.  Grounded in research on collaborative learning and inclusive pedagogy, faculty will learn actionable strategies to design, structure, and assess groupwork more effectively. This includes clarifying expectations, improving accountability mechanisms, supporting neurodiverse learners, and aligning group tasks with intended learning outcomes.  By the end of the workshop, faculty will be equipped to foster more equitable, engaging, and psychologically safe group learning environments that enhance both student success and employability skill development.

Slides for Session 1 Presentation

Presenter: Derek Gruchy

In this workshop, Derek will show examples of how he has implemented Curriculum Integration Project (CIP) in various courses, from 1st to 6th semester, demonstrating how it can be introduced to students to build their skills. Attendees will walk away with some ideas of how they can incorporate CIP into their courses and provide appropriate assessment on the topics for their level of learner. This can loosely be connected with Bloom's Taxonomy. Examples will include: Human Skills, Truth and Reconciliation, Sustainability, Equity/Diversity/Inclusion, and Artificial Intelligence (sometimes combined)!

Zoom: https://senecapolytechnic.zoom.us/j/94704877043

Slides for Session 1 Presentation

Presenter: Dr Navid Nazhand

This workshop explores how the presence of AI companions is reshaping student engagement, study habits, and learning autonomy. Drawing on classroom experiences and examples from AI-integrated courses, the session will examine how students use AI before class, during learning activities, and while completing assignments.  Participants will also engage in a short interactive activity to map the AI-supported learning cycle, identifying where AI appears in students’ workflows and where instructors can intentionally guide its use to support deeper learning.  The goal of this session is to help faculty move beyond viewing AI solely as a challenge and instead understand how it can become part of the modern learning environment when guided thoughtfully.

Zoom link: https://senecapolytechnic.zoom.us/j/91961514197

K3265
Presenters: Solmaz Ryan and Sahel Oruji

This workshop shares the design, development, and first delivery of CAN110: Building Bridges Through Intercultural Communication, a 5-day intensive (OB) course piloted at Seneca Polytechnic from February 23–27, 2026.  In this session, Solmaz and Sahel will walk through compressed course design and delivery, while still meaningfully integrating the three pillars of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), Truth and Reconciliation (TRC), and Sustainability. Participants will leave with ideas and strategies they can adapt to their own courses, particularly those working with intensive or non-traditional formats.

K2100
Presenter: Dr. Mayu Nishimura 

Following Dr. Nishimura's keynote, she will be available for a fireside chat to delve more deeply into the topics she explored in her speech.

Zoom link: https://senecapolytechnic.zoom.us/j/97052564041

Slides for Session 1 Presentation
Video link to Session 1 Recording

Presenter: Sabine Weber 

This hands-on workshop presents a case study of an interdisciplinarya cross-program teaching project that integrates sustainability, industry collaboration, and hands-on learning within the School of Fashion. In this project, industry-donated hoodies became the starting point for a collaborative learning experience. Fashion Arts students explored repair, upcycling, and redesign techniques to transform the damaged garments into new pieces, while Visual Merchandising students developed strategies to communicate and elevate the new story of these garments through display and storytelling. By the end of the session, participants will be able to recognize opportunities for industry partnerships, describe a practical case study of cross-program collaboration and develop their own ideas for implementing circular economy principles that connect sustainability, industry collaboration, and applied skills. 

AI Lab (K2020)
Presenters: Panos Panagiotakopoulos, Basant Elkady

This workshop presents a faculty‑led case study exploring how generative AI can be used to support assessment and marking while preserving academic judgment, consistency, and transparency. The session begins with a short demonstration of an AI‑assisted marking approach developed by a faculty through experimentation in the AI Lab. The demonstration highlights real design decisions instructors are currently navigating, including whether to use a single AI assistant across multiple sections to ensure consistency, how to avoid “drift” over time, and how to ensure AI follows course‑specific outcomes and assignment instructions rather than generic criteria.

K2213

Presenters: Leigh Simpson-Ahwanaquot, Eric Zwicker

This workshop explores reconciliation curriculum through the lens of the Seven Grandfather Teachings, with a focused emphasis on humility in the classroom. Participants will learn what it means to practice humility as educators and learners. Through guided reflection and group sharing, attendees will examine how humility can shape their teaching practices and support meaningful reconciliation.

Slides for Session 1 Presentation

Presenters: Jennifer Tilk, Sandra Ekiyor-katimi 

This workshop will explore ungrading from the students' perspective within Business and Marketing. The workshop will also focus on Jennifer's experiences as an instructor implementing ungrading in classrooms, and resulting contributions to the current literature on SoTL. Participants will be able to define ungrading and alternative grading methods;  gain insight into students' overall experiences with ungrading, reflections, self-assessment; and identify any techniques or methods that instructors can implement in their own courses.