Workshops and events

Utilizing Threshold Concept Integration to Support Mastery Learning Practices

This workshop shares insights from a year-long project supported by the SOTL Teaching Scholar Fund. The project examined how threshold concepts can be used to design a flipped mastery learning approach for undergraduate nursing students enrolled in a third-year evidence-informed practice course. Drawing on findings from the three phases of this educational design study, the session will present key outcomes and foster a broader discussion around the integration of threshold concepts and mastery learning in higher education.  

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Explain how threshold concepts can inform and shape pedagogy in post-secondary education.
• Identify ways to structure flipped learning environments that integrate threshold concepts and mastery learning.
• Demonstrate the use of the Mastery View function in UMLearn.
• Discuss the challenges and opportunities of implementing mastery learning practices in higher education.

We invite you to bring examples of troublesome learning areas from your own teaching experiences. These will be used to spark discussion and guide interactive activities during the workshop.

Be part of the conversation on rethinking pedagogy to better support deep, lasting learning.

Date and time: Wednesday, October 29, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Online: UM Zoom
Facilitators:  Marnie Kramer and Janet Cape

Register for Utilizing Threshold Concept Integration to Support Mastery Learning Practices

Small Shifts, Significant Gains: November Session

Looking for ways to revitalize your teaching but don't have time for a big redesign? In Small Teaching, author James Lang argues that small changes in classroom techniques and activities can have big impacts on student learning. Join our sessions to hear practical teaching strategies from faculty guest speakers. Bring your questions and your lunch.  Leave with ideas that you can implement right away in your courses!  

Lightning Presentation Speakers:

• Kristi Watson from the College of Pharmacy presents:
  • From Stress to Strength: Simple Shifts to Foster Resilient Learners in High-Stakes Assessments
    • High-stakes assessments can either overwhelm or empower. Told through the lens of a health care educator, this session explores simple mindset shifts. How applying growth mindset and stress-is-enhancing mindset can help students reframe pressure as opportunity. Faculty across disciplines will gain practical strategies to foster resilience, confidence, and stronger performance.
• Dr. Alexa Hryniuk from the Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science presents:
  • The Power of “Why”
    • At times adding engaging or active learning activities seems daunting or time consuming, which cause barriers to implementation in the classroom. One small three letter word “why” can cause a small shift that can be transformative.

Date and time: Monday, November 3, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Online: UM Zoom
Facilitator: Anna Nekola

Register for Small Shifts, Significant Gains: November Session

UDL in Practice: Highlighting Patterns, Features, Ideas, and Relationships

This workshop is part of an ongoing series that focuses on Universal Design for Learning in higher learning. Each session focuses on a specific consideration of CAST's UDL model and how it can be implemented in the classroom.

This session will explore strategies for emphasizing overarching concepts that learners can apply across their university experience. 

Date and time: Wednesday, November 5, 12:00 p.m. to 12:50 p.m.
Location: Online: UM Zoom
Facilitator: Johnathan Bevan

Register for UDL in Practice: Highlighting Patterns, Features, Ideas, and Relationships

Just-in-Time UM Learn Series: Quizzes (Exams) - Before (Respondus), During (Troubleshooting), and After (Grading and Re-adjusting Grades)

In this workshop, we will focus on setting up Respondus LockDown Browser (& Monitor), how to troubleshoot issues students have while taking a quiz, and how to adjust grades following the exam.

Date and time: Monday, November 10, 12:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Theatre E, P133 - Pathology Building (770 Bannatyne Ave) or you may join remotely through UM Zoom.
Facilitator: Michelle Laarissa and Dieter Schonwetter

Register for Just-in-Time UM Learn Series: Quizzes (Exams) - Before (Respondus), During (Troubleshooting), and After (Grading and Re-adjusting Grades)

Experiential Learning Community of Practice Monthly Meeting: WIL-Powered: Hovercrafts, Skills, and Speed

The Experiential Learning Community of Practice is a growing network of faculty, instructors, and staff passionate about experiential education at UM. Join our monthly meetings to connect with colleagues involved in Experiential Learning across UM and explore the best practices and challenges in experiential learning.

This month:

Work-integrated learning (WIL) goes beyond internships and field placements, it can thrive right in the classroom. In this session, we’ll speak with Dr. Sean O'Brien from Engineering about how he created a truly unique WIL experience through hovercraft racing. This innovative approach offers students the chance to apply their skills in a dynamic, hands-on setting that fosters collaboration, critical thinking, and career-relevant learning. Join us for a fun and inspiring discussion on how to think outside the box when designing meaningful WIL opportunities.

Date and time: Tuesday, November 18, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Online: UM Zoom
Facilitator: Meaghan Ewharekuko and Gera Villagran

Register for WIL-Powered: Hovercrafts, Skills, and Speed

UDL in Practice: Anticipate and Plan for Challenges

This workshop is part of an ongoing series that focuses on Universal Design for Learning in higher learning. Each session focuses on a specific consideration of CAST's UDL model and how it can be implemented in the classroom.

This session will explore strategies to help anticipate challenges and plan how you will address them when they arise. 

Date and time: Wednesday, November 19, 12:00 p.m. to 12:50 p.m.
Location: Online: UM Zoom
Facilitator: Johnathan Bevan

Register for UDL in Practice: Anticipate and Plan for Challenges

Teaching and Technology (TLCN02)

In this workshop, we will explore a framework for using technology in teaching and learning. Rather than a technology ‘how-to’ session, the focus will be on providing a method for evaluating technology that supports the goals of teaching and learning. We will also discuss the benefits and challenges of using technology in the classroom.

Date and time: Tuesday, December 9, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Online: UM Zoom
Facilitator: Renato Bezerra

Register for Teaching and Technology (TLCN02)

Indigenous Knowledges for Teaching in Higher Education (TLCN08)

This workshop introduces participants to Indigenous pedagogies by contextualizing Indigenous knowledges, discussing the importance of making space for Indigenous content and knowledge transmission in the academy, and providing participants with resources about the pedagogical significance of Indigenous knowledges.

Date and time: Tuesday, December 9, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Online: UM Zoom
Facilitator: Randi Desmarais

Register for Indigenous Knowledges for Teaching in Higher Education (TLCN08)

Mental Health in the Classroom (TLCN07)

Young adults are highly susceptible to mental health problems. We know that most instructors encounter many students who are struggling with mental health issues that affect their academic performance, behaviour in the classroom, and interactions with teaching staff. Research also indicates that the incident rate and intensity of mental health problems experienced by students is increasing. These situations can be stressful, time-consuming, and potentially can involve risks to personal safety for the students and others. David Ness, the Director of the Student Counselling Centre at the University of Manitoba, will provide you with information about how to identify and respond effectively to student mental health issues, how to understand the factors that contribute to student distress, and how to access resources. This interactive workshop will involve case study material to apply your knowledge of risk assessment, response alternatives, and on- and off-campus resources.

Date and time: Wednesday, December 10, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Room 223 - The Centre (65 Dafoe Road)
Facilitator: Dr. David Ness

Register for Mental Health in the Classroom (TLCN07)

Navigating Challenging Student Situations (TLCN03)

As instructors, you may have experienced behaviour by your students that you felt was disrespectful, rude, or disruptive. These can be challenging situations to deal with. Staff from Student Advocacy and Case Management and the Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management will provide an overview of pertinent University policies and procedures to help you understand your rights and responsibilities as an instructor. This interactive workshop will provide you with strategies and tips for preventing and responding to these behaviours.

Date and time: Wednesday, December 10, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Room 223 - The Centre (65 Dafoe Road)
Facilitators: Heather Morris and Meagan Bowman

Register for TLCN03 Navigating Challenging Student Situations

Universal Design for Learning (TLCN01)

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an orientation to teaching and learning that promotes greater student choice and agency in learning experiences, with the aim of reducing barriers to learning by providing multiple means of representation, engagement, and expression. In this workshop, participants will explore how UDL values intersect with their own teaching philosophies, identify barriers to learning for students with a range of needs, and (re)design course elements to adopt UDL guidelines in a way that is practical for instructors yet beneficial to learners. 

Date and time: Monday, December 15, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Online: UM Zoom
Facilitator: John Bevan

Register for Universal Design for Learning (TLCN01)

Self-Evaluation of Teaching Practice (TLCN10)

Feedback and evaluation of teaching are part of every teacher’s life. How do you make sense of the evaluative feedback you receive from SRI scores, daily classroom experiences, and student grades? This foundational workshop examines the theory and practice of evaluation and suggests practical strategies for integrating effective evaluative practices into your teaching. Please note that this workshop does not cover the design and creation of student assessments.

Date and time: Monday, December 15, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Online: UM Zoom
Facilitator: Gera Villagran

Register for Self-Evaluation of Teaching Practice (TLCN10)

Teaching Dossier (TLCN06)

Increasingly, university promotion and tenure committees are requiring a teaching dossier to document your development and achievements as an educator. This workshop looks at the requirements at the University of Manitoba for teaching dossiers and covers the basics of writing a Teaching Philosophy statement and creating a teaching dossier.

Date and time: Tuesday, December 16, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Online: UM Zoom
Facilitator: Jackie Hope

Register for Teaching Dossier (TLCN06)

Academic Integrity Teaching and Learning Strategies (TLCN04)

Do you want to promote academic integrity in your course, but you don’t know how to do this?  In this workshop, we will discuss the meaning of academic integrity at the University of Manitoba, and how it relates to your teaching and learning environment (whether that be face-to-face, remote/online). We will discuss ways to implement teaching and assessment strategies that promote integrity that will allow you to focus on students’ learning and community building. Resources for academic integrity education (e.g., syllabus statements, learning activities) that you can modify and incorporate into your courses will be shared.

Date and time: Tuesday, December 16, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Online: UM Zoom
Facilitator: Renato Bezerra

Register for Academic Integrity Teaching and Learning Strategies (TLCN04)

Developing Intercultural Teaching Competence (TLCN05)

Every student and instructor brings their own culture into the teaching and learning contexts in which they inhabit. Similarly, every teaching and learning context is informed by and situated in institutional, regional, and national cultures. In this workshop, you’ll explore your own cultural attitudes, knowledge, and skills, and those of your learners and the environments you all find yourselves in. Then, you’ll apply this to your own teaching practices through elements of course design.

Date and time: Wednesday, December 17, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Online: UM Zoom
Facilitator: Cintia Costa

Register for Developing Intercultural Teaching Competence (TLCN05)

Reflective Practice (TLCN09)

John Dewey observed that, “We do not learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience.” To become a better teacher, it is necessary to reflect on what we do and why we do it – to ask ourselves, is what we do effective? In this workshop we will explore several models of self-reflection, including the Gibbs’ Model, as methods for engaging in a reflective practice. Participants can also share their own successes and struggles as they strive to become a better teacher.

Date and time: Wednesday, December 17, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Online: UM Zoom
Facilitator: Meaghan Ewharekuko

Register for Reflective Practice (TLCN09)