Aside from the programs and services offered by the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology, there are also opportunities available at UBC, externally and online.
UBC
UBC offers and hosts a diverse range of professional development opportunities that help support teaching and learning in higher education. From conferences to workshops to certificates, there will be something of interest to you.
The Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative (CWSEI) is a five-year, $12M project at The University of British Columbia aimed at dramatically improving undergraduate science education.
The CWSEI helps departments take a four-step, scientific approach to teaching:
- Establish what students should learn
- Scientifically measure what students are actually learning
- Adapt instructional methods and curriculum and incorporate effective use of technology and pedagogical research to achieve desired learning outcomes
- Disseminate and adopt what works
To help ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment at UBC, the Equity and Inclusion Office offers standard and tailored workshops to students, staff and faculty on issues of discrimination, harassment, inclusivity, anti-racism, diversity, and anti-homophobia. Sessions are facilitated by experienced equity advisors and incorporate group exercises, case studies and discussion.
For more information, send a message to equity@equity.ubc.ca
Throughout the year, Arts ISIT offers workshops on a variety of topics such as WebCT Vista, Copyright, and Team-Based Learning. Workshops are open to all faculty, teaching assistants, and staff in the Faculty of Arts.
Focus on People: Workplace Practices at UBC is a contributing framework towards the realization of the University’s values. It sets out strategies and corresponding initiatives to consider how we may improve our daily work practices in order to create an outstanding work environment for staff and faculty members at UBC.
GSSB offers knowledge-exchange sessions and skill-development workshops to help build global and intercultural competencies required for the cultivation of global citizenship. As a UBC pilot program, it has a growing roster of student speakers who are eager to share their international experience with audiences from the UBC and the Greater Vancouver community.
The MOST Program consists of workshops designed to assist in developing knowledge and skills in relation to the individual, their role, their relationships with others, technology and their awareness of the organizational culture within which they function. Workshops are open to both UBC faculty and staff and non-UBC individuals.
This part-time professional development program is for individuals who want to work and communicate more effectively in international and multicultural settings.
The Instructional Skills for International Teaching Assistants course is designed to assist international graduate students, post-doctoral researchers and visiting scholars to develop the skills to successfully transition into Canadian academic settings, both in the classroom and as members of their departments. Participants become more confident and effective as instructors at UBC, develop practical skills to excel in their academic studies and gain a deeper understanding of Canadian academic culture.
The Learning Commons is a “portal like” site for peer-based, student academic support. The weblog design and other features allow for multiple authors (including faculty) to contribute and share content through the Learning Commons via RSS feeds. We have incorporated some of the commonly used learning technologies to support online tutorials and screencasts on specific learning resources (like mind mapping or data visualization).
Learn how you can use the Learning Commons with your students.
A science student development group promoting leadership, academic, and science-related events around UBC. The SCI Team is a peer program that organizes workshops and other events where students can help one another learn.
UBC Mix was a TLEF-funded initiative (2009/2010 through 2012/2013) that partnered instructors, students, and courses together to create an interdisciplinary atmosphere for better learning and understanding.
External
- Diploma in Adult Education, St. Francis Xavier University
The Diploma program is offered on-site in major centres and stresses practical, hands-on skills development for adult educators, trainers, HRD consultants, and others who work in related capacities. Modules are also held in Vancouver.
The Provincial Instructor Diploma Program provides new instructors with the competencies needed to design, manage and evaluate the instruction of adults in post-secondary education, business, industry and non-traditional adult learning environments.
- School of Instructor Education, Vancouver Community College
The School of Instructor Education offers several different opportunities for instructor training. These workshops and courses are offered year round to individuals seeking professional development activities and certification. Some courses are available online.
- Centre for Sustainable Community Development, Simon Fraser University
The Centre’s mission is to support the sustainable development of communities through research, education (credit and non-credit), and community mobilization; it provides research, training and advisory services throughout BC and Canada as well as internationally.
Online
Offered by the Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching Effectiveness, University of Saskatchewan
Offered by the University of Victoria
Offered by Simon Fraser University
Offered by Vancouver Community College
