March 2012

Unless otherwise indicated, sessions occur in the Learning and Teaching Centre (LTC) Classroom in the Harry Hickman Building (HHB), Room 128.

If the register buttons are not working, please contact us by email.

What is the future of learning in Canada? Conclusions and recommendations for sustainable change and improvement in Canadian learning [Guest Speaker Series]
Thursday, March 1, 2012
9:00 AM ~ 11:00 AM, HHB 128
Guest Speaker: Dr. Paul Cappon, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Council on Learning, University of Ottawa
Want to know more about CCL? Sign up for our e-bulletin, The Learning Link, at www.ccl-cca.ca
Guest Speaker Series

Résumé Lab [TWC Workshop]
Thursdays, March 1, 2012 and April 5, 2012
10:00 AM ~ 12:00 PM, LIB Room 129
Facilitator: Laurie Waye, PhD, The Writing Centre
Every Thursday, Career Services hosts a session in LIB Room 129; the first thirty minutes are instruction, followed by a hand-on work time, which allows students to apply what they have learned to their own CVs, résumés and cover letters.  Once a month, TWC co-hosts this workshop to answer questions and give guidance on writing well for the job market.
You can register here: https://learninginmotion.uvic.ca/home.htm.
TWC Workshop Information

Assessing Russian Heritage Learners in the Classroom [Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Series]
Thursday, March 1, 2012 [Brown Bag Lunch]
11:30 AM ~ 12:15 PM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Megan Swift, Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies
This presentation looks at the research results of a study that asked whether the needs of Russian heritage learners were being met in first-year Russian language courses (Russ 100A and B) at UVic. The study looked at how we can better integrate heritage learners into the classroom, and how we can make the course experience more successful for heritage learners. As in many studies, what we learned was not what we expected to learn.
And...
Revolutionizing Risky Conversations: Teaching About Violence and Safety in the Classroom
Thursday, March 1, 2012 [Brown Bag Lunch]
12:15 PM ~ 1:00 PM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Catherine Richardson (Kianewesquao), School of Social Work
In this presentation, Dr. Richardson will present a brief overview of some of the challenges of preparing social and human service workers to support clients who are recovering from violence. She will present her research, her survey tool and the results of the study to date. She will present some analysis of social and cultural safety and positive social responses to students who have experienced various forms of violence and mistreatment prior to their studies. This presentation will last approximately 40 minutes and will involve a Powerpoint presentation.
SoTL Series Information

Addressing Hot Topics [Critical and Respectful Discourse Series]
Friday, March 2, 2012
1:30 PM ~ 3:20 PM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Greg Blue and Martin Bunton, Department of History and Caitlin Janzen, School of Social Work
This workshop will focus on directing contentious discussions that can arise in courses and other academic events when they challenge strongly-held opinions or beliefs. Such forums often approach issues that are currently in the public eye, many of which will be controversial and will have the potential to evoke disagreement. Workshop participants will share strategies for harnessing the excitement of hot topics to engage critical and respectful dialogue.
Critical and Respectful Discourse Series Information

Strong Writing [TWC Workshop]
Monday, March 5, 2012, 10:00 AM ~ 11:20 AM, LIB Room 129
Friday, March 9, 2012, 1:30 PM ~ 2:50 PM, LIB Room 129
Facilitators: The Writing Centre (TWC) staff
Learn how to write clear, concise sentences and paragraphs through a combination of lecture and hands-on practice. Topics include unity, transitions, academic wording and conciseness. Remember to bring along 5 pages of your writing on which to practice!
Register for this workshop by emailing TWCdir@uvic.ca.
TWC Workshop Information

How to Write in the Sciences [TWC Workshop]
Monday, March 5, 2012
1:00 PM ~ 1:30 PM, LIB Room 129
Facilitators: The Writing Centre (TWC) staff
Register for this workshop by emailing TWCdir@uvic.ca.
TWC Workshop Information

Communicating Your Tables & Graphs [TWC Workshop]
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
10:00 AM ~ 10:30 AM, LIB Room 129
Facilitators: The Writing Centre (TWC) staff
This workshop is designed for graduate students, undergraduate students in an honours program, and students who are recipients of the JCURA award.
Register for this workshop by emailing TWCdir@uvic.ca.
TWC Workshop Information

The Art and Craft of Teaching the Large Class [Teaching Tips Series #9]
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
10:00 AM ~ 12:00 PM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Dr. Marty Wall, Department of Educational Psychology & Leadership Studies, and the Learning and Teaching Centre
The large class is not merely a larger version of a small class; it presents its own unique challenges and opportunities. Teaching a large class effectively requires the application of a number of skills, but at some point such teaching truly becomes an art. What is the nature of this transition and how can it be achieved? The workshop will explore this issue from the perspective of my own experience in teaching classes with enrollments exceeding 2,000 students.
Teaching Tips Series Information

Learning and Teaching Development Grant (LTDG) ~ Information Session [Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Series]
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
1:00 PM ~ 2:00 PM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Dr. Marty Wall, Department of Educational Psychology & Leadership Studies, and the Learning and Teaching Centre
Do you have a question about how your students are learning in your class that you would like the opportunity to investigate? Is there a teaching and learning idea in your discipline that you have always wanted to explore? Come and find out how you can apply for a grant to assist you in achieving your pedagogical goals. We promise it is a straightforward process!
Please note: The amount available per grant is $7,500 maximum.
Deadline date for email submission of these grant applications is May 15, 2012 at 4:00 PM.
Open to all those interested in applying for Learning and Teaching Grants in 2012.
Link to LTDG Information and Application Form
SoTL Series Information

HectaresBC: Geospatial Data Analysis at Your Fingertips [Instructional Technology (IT) Series]
Thursday, March 8, 2012
12:30 PM ~ 2:00 PM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Matt Austin (MSc), Ecosystem Specialist, Ministry of Environment. Co-promoted by Learning Systems (Erik Fleischer) and the Learning & Teaching Centre
HectaresBC is a collaborative project created under the BiodiversityBC partnership, whose purpose is to provide improved access to summarized, integrated geospatial data about British Columbia, and to deliver timely, consistent analysis to a wide range of users. The system also provides a means for geomatics professionals to more rapidly provide consistent responses to frequently asked analytical questions and to quickly access gridded data for complex modelling.
In this session, the project lead will introduce HectaresBC, demonstrate its operation and suggest ways in which the wealth of geospatial data available through the system can be explored, visualized, exported, shared and otherwise 'consumed'. Participants will learn how to build fairly complex queries to extract exactly the information they want.
All participants are encouraged to visit the HectaresBC web site (hectaresbc.org) beforehand and bring questions and comments - particularly those related to the potential uses of the system in higher education - to this interactive session. You're also encouraged to bring your laptop, iPad or 'iother'.
Register NOW
Attendance by registration ONLY.
Please note: All Instructional Technology Series events are video-recorded, and the resulting video is made publicly available on a University of Victoria web site. We cannot guarantee that your image or voice will not be captured on video if you choose to attend this event.
Instructional Technology Series

Universal Design for Learning: Optimizing Student Access, Engagement, and Learning [Curriculum Design Institute (CDI) Follow-up Lens] [CDI Series]
Registrants are required to attend both days.
Thursday, March 8, 2012 - EVENT POSTPONED TO LATER DATE - DATE: TBA
and Friday, March 9, 2012
Facilitators: Donna McGhie-Richmond, Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies; and Laurie Keenan, Resource Centre for Students with a Disability
This evening and one-day workshop introduces you to the principles and guidelines of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as they apply to curriculum development and delivery. You will use the blueprint and tools of UDL to analyze and re-design your course and Moodle course site to enable access and optimize learning for all students. Come to the workshop prepared to work with one of your courses.
Bring a course syllabus, an assignment, and an assessment tool from your course.

Please Note: This CDI lens is one-and-a-half days long, and your attendance on both days is expected. This CDI lens is available at no charge to all UVic instructors who are accepted into the program. However, there will be a cancellation fee of $75.00 for withdrawals with less than 10 working days’ notice. For this eventuality, a FAST account number is required at the time of registration.
Special arrangements are also available for current instructors at Vancouver Island Educational Developers’ Alliance (VIEDA) partner institutions (Royal Roads, Camosun College, Vancouver Island University and North Island College). The cost to VIEDA instructors is $200.00.
The cost to those not affiliated with UVic or VIEDA is $300.00.
Information and Registration
EVENT POSTPONED

How to Effectively Paraphrase and Quote [TWC Workshop]
Monday, March 12, 2012
1:00 PM ~ 1:30 PM, LIB Room 129
Facilitators: The Writing Centre (TWC) staff
Register for this workshop by emailing TWCdir@uvic.ca.
TWC Workshop Information

Mastering Punctuation [TWC Workshop]
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
10:00 AM ~ 10:30 AM, LIB Room 129
This workshop is designed for graduate students, undergraduate students in an honours program, and students who are recipients of the JCURA award.
Facilitators: The Writing Centre (TWC) staff
Register for this workshop by emailing TWCdir@uvic.ca.
TWC Workshop Information

Formative and Summative Assessment: What They Are, How They Connect, and How to Use Them
Thursday, March 15, 2012
10:00 AM ~ 12:00 PM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Dr. Ed Ishiguro, Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology and the Learning and Teaching Centre
If you have questions on what it takes to create an effective assignment, this interactive workshop is for you. We will focus on assessment strategies and their integral relationship to instructional design and course learning objectives. The importance of formative assessment and early feedback will be discussed. Finally, contrary to popular notion, assessment is not only for students, and we will consider classroom assessment as a means of assessing teaching efficacy.

Advanced Research and Writing Series, #3: Finishing, Presenting and Publishing [TWC Workshop]
Thursday, March 15, 2012, 1:00 PM ~ 2:20 PM, LIB Room 129
and Friday, March 16, 2012, 3:30 PM ~ 4:50 PM, LIB Room 129
Facilitators: The Writing Centre (TWC) staff
You have written your research paper – now what? Learn how to put the finishing touches on your research paper, present it to different audiences, and prepare it for publication.
Register for this workshop by emailing TWCdir@uvic.ca.
TWC Workshop Information

Managing Your Thesis or Dissertation [TWC Workshop]
Thursday, March 15, 2012, 5:30 PM ~ 6:50 PM, LIB Room A003
OR Monday, April 16, 2012, 12:00 PM ~ 1:20 PM, LIB Room 129
Facilitators: The Writing Centre (TWC) staff
This hands-on workshop teaches graduate students strategies to organize their writing, writing habits and themselves so that they can finish their thesis/dissertation work. Those in the depths of dissertation despair are particularly welcome.
Register for this workshop by emailing TWCdir@uvic.ca.
TWC Workshop Information

Learning in University Courses and 21st Century Technology Tools [Curriculum Design Institute (CDI) Follow-up Lens]
Friday, March 16, 2012
3:00 PM ~ 7:00 PM, HHB 110
Facilitators: Tim Hopper, Campus-wide Faculty Consultant for Educational Technology Initiatives (CFCETI), also with the Learning and Teaching Centre, and Associate Professor, EPHE; Erik Fleischer, Learning Systems; Scott Gerritty; Tara Coulter, Engineering & Computer Science; Mary Sanseverino, Computer Science; and Ed Ishiguro, Biochemistry and the Learning and Teaching Centre.
A continuation of workshops held in November 2011. Working from instructors' experiences using technology in their courses, this follow-up Course Design Institute (CDI) educational technology lens will explore an array of user-friendly open source and cloud-based software tools that are freely available. These applications, building on principles of course design learned in the introductory CDI, can be used to further develop and refine aspects of instructors' courses intended to connect the students to their learning. Featuring examples of successful integration of technology tools to enhance student learning, the workshop will examine case studies of instructors using technology in campus-based, blended and distance education courses. A key goal of the workshop will be to set up a social network of instructors who can share and support each other's ed. tech. innovations. To this end, a "Tech. Tools" web 2.0 website has been set up by UVic Learning Systems and will be accessible to participants for cross-campus collaboration on ed. tech. initiatives in university courses. Please note: a willingness and openness for participants to use "tech tools" in their courses to enhance student learning is our only expectation. We certainly do not expect you to be an expert in any form of educational technology. All levels of users are welcome.

N.B. This CDI lens is available at no charge to all UVic instructors who are accepted into the program. However, there will be a cancellation fee of $75.00 for withdrawals with less than 10 working days’ notice. For this eventuality, a FAST account number is required at the time of registration. Special arrangements are also available for current instructors at Vancouver Island Educational Developers’ Alliance (VIEDA) partner institutions (Royal Roads, Camosun College, Vancouver Island University and North Island College). The cost to VIEDA instructors is $200.00.
The cost to those not affiliated with UVic or VIEDA is $300.00.
Information and registration

How to Revise Your Paper [TWC Workshop]
Monday, March 19, 2012
1:00 PM ~ 1:30 PM, LIB room 129
Facilitators: The Writing Centre (TWC) staff
Register for this workshop by emailing TWCdir@uvic.ca.
TWC Workshop Information

Writing an Abstract [TWC Workshop]
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
10:00 AM ~ 10:30 AM, LIB room 129
Facilitators: The Writing Centre (TWC) staff
This workshop is designed for graduate students, undergraduate students in an honours program, and students who are recipients of the JCURA award.
Register for this workshop by emailing TWCdir@uvic.ca.
TWC Workshop Information

Optimizing the Multiple-Choice Test Item [Teaching Tips Series #10]
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
10:00 AM ~ 12:00 PM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Dr. Marty Wall, Department of Educational Psychology & Leadership Studies, and the Learning and Teaching Centre
Multiple-choice tests appear deceptively simple to prepare but are arguably among the most difficult to produce well. What features of student learning do such tests really discriminate? We will re-examine various pre- and post-test criteria that can be used to assess and improve the quality of individual multiple-choice test items that one designs for in-class clicker sessions as well as for tests. These criteria include the format of the question stem, the cognitive level of the item, and the discriminability of the item as a predictor of overall performance. Multiple-choice testing might not always be an optimal instrument for assessing student learning, but when used it should follow best practices. It does make a difference.
Teaching Tips Series Information

Andy Farquharson Award for TAs: What is it and how to get one! [TA ProD]
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
3:00 PM ~ 5:00 PM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Janet Love, Department of Psychology
One of the recipients of last year’s university-wide teaching award for graduate students, Janet Love, will share her experiences and the step-by-step process of how she attained this award. In this session, Janet will describe the Andy Farquharson Award, the procedure for applying, the components required, and will share her own experience of preparing documentation for the award application. Then you will be able to ask Janet about her experience as a TA, how she managed her time, workload and personal life, all of which greatly helped her win this award
TA/Graduate Student Workshops

Learning and Teaching Development Grant (LTDG) ~ Information Session [Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Series]
Monday, March 26, 2012
11:00 AM ~ 12:00 PM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Dr. Marty Wall, Department of Educational Psychology & Leadership Studies, and the Learning and Teaching Centre
Do you have a question about how your students are learning in your class that you would like the opportunity to investigate? Is there a teaching and learning idea in your discipline that you have always wanted to explore? Come and find out how you can apply for a grant to assist you in achieving your pedagogical goals. We promise it is a straightforward process!
Please note: The amount available per grant is $7,500 maximum.
Deadline date for email submission of these grant applications is May 15, 2012 at 4:00 PM.
Open to all those interested in applying for Learning and Teaching Grants in 2012.
Link to LTDG Information and Application Form
SoTL Series Information

How to Use Commas [TWC Workshop]
Monday, March 26, 2012
1:00 PM ~ 1:30 PM, LIB room 129
Facilitators: The Writing Centre (TWC) staff
Register for this workshop by emailing TWCdir@uvic.ca.
TWC Workshop Information

Moving from the Academic Paper to the Published Article [TWC Workshop]
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
10:00 AM ~ 10:30 AM, LIB room 129
Facilitators: The Writing Centre (TWC) staff
This workshop is designed for graduate students, undergraduate students in an honours program, and students who are recipients of the JCURA award.
Register for this workshop by emailing TWCdir@uvic.ca.
TWC Workshop Information

Applying for Research Ethics Approval for Instructors Studying Teaching and Learning in their Own Classrooms or Courses [Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Series]
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Facilitators: Dr. Mikael Jansson, Department of Sociology, Centre for Addictions Research BC, Chair of the UVic Human Research Ethics Board.
When you are an instructor or faculty member whose research project involves your own students as research participants, why is this context unique, and what should you know before you begin? This session will introduce ethical considerations in "dual role" instructor-researcher contexts. This session will be useful to those who are considering submitting a Learning and Teaching Development Grant and for graduate students in the Faculty of Education who plan to conduct classroom research with their own students. Attendees are encouraged to read the Guidelines for Ethics in Dual Role Research for Teachers and Other Practitioners on the human research ethics website. https://www.uvic.ca/research/assets/docs/ors/forms/geidrr.pdf (Netlink login required).
SoTL Series Information
THIS WORKSHOP IS CANCELLED

Digital Opportunities in Course Materials Distribution
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
11:30 AM ~ 12:15 PM, HHB 128
Facilitator: Dr. Penny Draper, UVic Bookstore
E-texts, e-guides, e-pacs and ipads? Is the traditional textbook dead? Do course-packs have a future? When choosing course materials, the question is no longer merely, "What do I want?" but also "How do I want it?" In this presentation, Penny Draper, Textbook Manager of the UVic Bookstore, will outline various technological initiatives the Bookstore is piloting to take advantage of the new delivery systems available today. Partnerships with the UVic Library and with other universities across the country are offering innovative and more cost-effective access to course material. These programs also create opportunities for the distribution of UVic-created material throughout North America. Stephanie Boulogne, Course-pack Coordinator, will be on hand to answer questions about course-packs. With the textbook industry in a state of disruption, now is the time to collectively investigate strategies and develop new tools that will improve student access to the material they need for success.

Pathways to Success 2012 – Landing your First Academic Job Panel
Thursday, March 29, 2012
3:00 PM ~ 5:00 PM, Bob Wright Building, Room B150
Positioning yourself for a successful career as a faculty member takes planning. In this 2-hour session, graduate students will hear about the application process and gain a better understanding of what to expect from interviews for faculty positions. Our panel of new and experienced professors will also share their experiences and tips for impressing the search committee and negotiating a first offer of employment as a faculty member.
More Information

A Trade Bead Methodology for Learning and Teaching [Curriculum Design Institute (CDI) Follow-up Lens] [CDI Series]
Registrants are required to attend both days.
Friday, March 30, 2012, 1:00 PM ~ 5:00 PM, First Peoples' House Ceremonial Room, followed by a catered dinner.
Saturday, March 31, 2012, 9:30 AM ~ 1:30 PM, First Peoples' House Ceremonial Room
Facilitator: Shanne McCaffrey, Senior Instructor, School of Child and Youth Care, University of Victoria
Please accept this as an invitation to spend time looking at these important pieces in a Trade Bead Methodology. Participants are invited to engage in discussion, head and heart work around the topics of relationships, social justice and Indigenous pedagogy and methodology for learning and teaching practices. Participants will be asked not to bring any writing instruments, technology, computers or cells phones to the sessions. You will be invited to learn from Elders, history, stories and experiences. You will have opportunities to share your own experience and understandings in an engaged and safe environment. We will share a traditional dinner and this event is being hosted in the Ceremonial Room at the First Peoples House. We look forward to seeing everyone.

Please Note: This CDI lens is 2 days long, and your attendance on both days is expected. This CDI lens is available at no charge to all UVic instructors who are accepted into the program. There will be a cancellation fee of $75.00 for withdrawals with less than 10 working days’ notice. For this eventuality, a FAST account number is required at the time of registration.
Special arrangements are also available for current instructors at Vancouver Island Educational Developers’ Alliance (VIEDA) partner institutions (Royal Roads, Camosun College, Vancouver Island University and North Island College). The cost to VIEDA instructors is $200.00.
The cost to those not affiliated with UVic or VIEDA is $300.00.
Event Poster
Information and Registration

Senior Instructor and Teaching Professor Scholarship Fund ~ Submission Deadline
Saturday, March 31, 2012
4:00 PM, HHB 126
Information and Application Form

April 2012 Events