January 2024
Welcome to 2024!
As we embark on the Winter 2024 semester, the Office of Teaching and Learning extends a warm welcome to faculty, instructors, and teaching assistants. The commencement of a new year brings forth a blend of enthusiasm, hope, and sometimes trepidation. As we dive into the unfolding chapters of 2024, let's embrace the anticipation of the remarkable developments that await. OTL is committed to fostering a culture of inclusive and innovative evidence-based teaching. We offer resources, programming, and consultations to support instructors at all levels. Please explore our website or reach out to otl@uoguelph.ca with any questions or to chat about teaching and learning.
TLI 2024 Call for Proposals, Reviewers & Volunteers
Fostering Transformative Learning: Challenging Assumptions, Reflecting Critically, Learning Together, and Taking Action.
TLI Call for Proposals, Reviewers and Volunteers Open
At the University of Guelph’s 35th Teaching and Learning Innovations Conference, we will come together to explore the theme of transformative learning as it weaves through the learning experiences of students, faculty and staff.
On Wednesday, May 8th, we will connect in person at the University Centre with speakers, interactive sessions, and presentations. On Thursday, May 9th, presentations, and interactive sessions will be delivered synchronously online.
We invite all faculty, sessionals, instructors, staff, and students (graduate and undergraduate) from the University of Guelph and beyond to submit a proposal for the 2024 Teaching and Learning Innovations Conference.
For details about the conference theme, session formats, reviewer and volunteer expectations, and proposal submission requirements, please visit the TLI 2024 Conference Website.
Proposals are Due February 16th, 2024 (11:59 PM)
Upcoming Programming
Join us as we explore The Matilda Project
An Initiative to Raise Awareness of Inequality and Gender Bias towards Women in Science.
Shehroze Saharan, the Educational Technology Developer at the Office of Teaching and Learning, received an e-Campus Ontario Grant in partnership with the Government of Ontario to launch "The Matilda Project" and bring this initiative to higher education classrooms. This project is also co-led by University of Toronto professor, Shehryar Saharan, and in close collaboration with University of Guelph Professor and Associate Director of The Humanities Interdisciplinary Collaboration Lab (THINC Lab), Dr. Kim Martin.
The term Matilda Effect, coined by Yale historian and supporter of the project Margaret W. Rossiter, is used to describe the situation of women scientists who have been ignored, forgotten, or denied credit due to sex-linked biases, thus, The Matilda Project, which aims to address this pressing issue, is an initiative to raise awareness of inequality & gender bias towards women in science. In essence, The Matilda Project stands as a crucial Open Educational Resource (OER) initiative, propelling awareness of gender equality in science education and serving as both a resource and a catalyst for enduring transformation.
Currently, the project is scheduled for a soft-launch in February 2024. In preparation for this milestone, the team is organizing an interactive and collaborative session designed to gather feedback from a diverse audience, including faculty, instructors, teaching assistants, students, and anyone keen on delving deeper into the initiative. This session serves as an inclusive forum, providing updates and fostering dynamic discussions on crucial aspects such as the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) of the site, the project's relevance to higher education institutions, and engaging activities.
We extend a warm invitation to all individuals interested in learning more about the project and encourage those who wish to contribute their insights. Your participation will be instrumental in assisting our team leaders as they determine the optimal applications and features of the project. Join us in shaping this endeavour and contributing to its success!
The event will be held in The THINC Lab on Thursday, January 25, 2024 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP by sending an email to Shehroze Saharan at saharans@uoguelph.ca (spaces are limited).
Featured Teaching Resource
Generative AI, Teaching, and Learning: A Year in Review
The advent of Generative Artificial Intelligence (genAI) has significantly impacted higher education over the past year. The Office of Teaching and Learning has diligently compiled a comprehensive Year in Review, encapsulating the unfolding events and our response to the challenges posed by genAI. This resource outlines how, at OTL, we engaged in a process of continuous learning, assessment, and support to help our University of Guelph teaching and learning community.
Within the Year in Review, you will find an exploration of the significant events of the past year related to Generative AI. It highlights key milestones, essential resources, and collaborative efforts that played a pivotal role in navigating this evolving landscape. As we reflect on this transformative period, the Year in Review serves as a valuable resource to comprehend the journey we undertook and the strides we made collectively in integrating genAI into our educational ecosystem.
The Year in Review not only encapsulates the past but also sets the stage for the upcoming year, 2024, as we look forward to further exploring the possibilities and challenges that Generative Artificial Intelligence holds for the realm of teaching and learning at the University of Guelph and beyond.
