News Archive

Announcing the 2024 Aspire-2040 Learning Transformations (ALT-2040) Fund projects

June 13, 2024

Dear colleagues,

In this transformative era of education, UBC Okanagan faculty and staff are leading the way, supported by the Aspire-2040 Learning Transformations (ALT-2040) Fund. For almost a decade, the ALT-2040 Fund has catalyzed innovative ideas and projects that have transformed the student experience on our campus and accelerated the academic vision of Shaping UBC’s Next Century and Outlook 2040.

This year, we are pleased to announce eight outstanding new projects that will directly impact teaching and learning at UBC Okanagan.

Open Educational Resources (OER) Focus Stream

(Awards up to $10,000)

Program and Learning Experience Enhancement Stream

(Awards up to $25,000)

Constellation Protostar Fellowship Stream

(Awards up to $10,000)

_________________________________________________

See Learning transformation in action

Join us for the first in-person UBC Okanagan ALT-2040 Showcase. This poster session event brings together project teams from throughout the Fund’s history, highlighting the exceptional learning transformation projects making a difference at UBC Okanagan.

Date: Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Time: 2 to 4 pm

Location: EME Richard S. Hallisey Atrium (Lower level)

RSVP NOW

_________________________________________________

I encourage you to visit the ALT-2040 website to learn more about some of the innovative projects and exceptional project teams advancing learning at UBC Okanagan.

Congratulations to the 2024 ALT-2040 Fund recipients and thank you to all project teams, past and present, supporting transformative learning at UBC Okanagan.

Sincerely,

Rehan Sadiq
Provost and Vice-President, Academic
UBC Okanagan

Heather Berringer
Associate Provost, Academic Operations and Services
UBC Okanagan

 

Posted in , , , , | Leave a response

Robert Janke appointed Deputy University Librarian, Okanagan Campus

March 28, 2024

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce that Robert Janke has been appointed Deputy University Librarian, Okanagan Campus for a five-year term commencing April 1, 2024. In this expanded role that replaces the Chief Librarian position, Robert will provide strategic leadership, vision and coordination for UBC Okanagan Library, serving as a key member of the UBC Library and Okanagan campus leadership teams. Read the full message The post Robert Janke appointed Deputy University Librarian, Okanagan Campus appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.

Posted in , , | Tagged

Workday Student: Preparing UBC faculty and instructors

July 22, 2024

This update is being shared on behalf of UBC Integrated Renewal Program – Student

Latest Update

In mid-August 2024, Instructors and Teaching Assistants will gain access to the Student Communications Tool and the Final Grade Submission Tool. Both are intended for use for the 2024W session and onwards. Until then, the ‘Email Students’ quick link will be unavailable and has been removed to prevent any confusion.

Changes have also been made to Workday Student’s Course Section Roster to include and make visible Student IDs alongside student names.

Who is Impacted?

Instructors and Teaching Assistants.

How are Instructors and Teaching Assistants impacted?

Instructors and Teaching Assistants will no longer see the ‘Email Students’ link on the Teaching App dashboard in Workday.

The ‘Email Students’ quick link will be reinstated in mid-August, as will the Final Grade Submission Tool intended for 2024W final grade submission period.

Additional Details

Instructors and Teaching Assistants should continue to use the FSC for communicating with students that are registered in their summer courses.

Upcoming Virtual Demo & Q+A Sessions on Grades

We are excited to inform you that IRP Student will be offering virtual Demo & Q+A sessions on Grades on the following dates and times:

UBC Okanagan

  • Wednesday, July 24: 1 pm – 2 pm
  • Thursday, August 1: 10 am – 11 am

UBC Vancouver

  • Thursday, July 25: 10 am – 11 am
  • Tuesday, July 30: 1 pm – 2 pm

Session Details

These 1-hour sessions will kick off with a short demo, followed by an opportunity to ask questions. Participants will have access to the training environment for Grades in late August, and additional drop-in sessions will be scheduled. More details on these sessions to follow.

Please note that these training sessions will take place online via Zoom and will be recorded.

Who is this Training For?

  • Instructors and Teaching Assistants
  • Faculty administrators (including G+PS and CoGS) responsible for entering grades
  • Department staff who support instructors
  • Academic Advisors
  • LT Hub and Centre for Teaching and Learning staff

Register here: https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9perZHG5VyfRycK

There is no deadline to sign up to receive the Zoom links for these sessions. After completing the registration form, you will receive an email with the Zoom links for all sessions so that you can decide which session to attend based on your schedule and availability.

Additional Training Resources:

We are also happy to announce that a number of user guides aimed at faculty and instructors have been uploaded to the Training Hub for Instructors here: https://confluence.it.ubc.ca/display/IRPTCM/Training+Hub+for+Instructors

Current list of guides include:

  • How to access the Teaching App
  • How to View a Teaching Schedule
  • How to Access a Class Roster
  • How to find the Course Schedule
  • How to Delegate Grade Change Approvals

This hub will get populated with more user guides as they become available, so be sure to bookmark it.

Stay tuned as we bring you more information to help better prepare you for the 2024 Winter Session.

Thank you,

UBC Integrated Renewal Program – Student

Posted in | Leave a response

Engaging UBC Okanagan students and Hollywood audiences alike

July 19, 2024

Dr. Christine Schreyer can pinpoint the exact moment when she knew she wanted to become an anthropologist. It was during a Grade 6 social studies class focused on the Indigenous People of Canada where her interest in other cultures and languages was ignited, and where she first learned the word “anthropologist.”

That pivotal occasion led Dr. Schreyer to pursue her love for languages by taking high school courses in French and Spanish. From there, she learned Latin and Cree in university, and eventually found her niche in the field of linguistic anthropology.

“I would describe myself as a language fangirl—I’m very passionate about language. I hope my students see that passion in my teaching, but also understand how my research is tied to it,” explains Dr. Schreyer, an Associate Professor of Anthropology in UBC Okanagan’s Department of Community, Culture and Global Studies.

In addition to teaching courses in linguistic anthropology, she also supervises both undergraduate and graduate students in research projects related to language revitalization, language documentation and language education, with a focus on Indigenous education.

“Take, for example, my work with the Splatsin First Nation in Enderby. Every time I’ve taught a course on language revitalization, my classes have done projects with that community, like a handbook of their Secwépemc phrases that can be given to community members.”

Dr. Schreyer also supervises students interested in constructed languages and has gained a student following for her research with the Na’vi speech community from the movie Avatar. She has created a number of languages featured in Hollywood films, including the Kryptonian language in Man of Steel, the Eltarian language in Power Rangers: The Movie, the Beama/Cro-Magnon language in Alpha, the Atlantean language in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, and multiple languages in Rebel Moon 1 & 2 and The Spiderwick Chronicles.

“I’m a little famous in certain circles,” Dr. Schreyer shyly concedes.

Within the classroom, she implements a combination of effective strategies to meet the needs and interests of her students, such as flexible deadlines and multi-access, where students can participate in-person or online so that anyone can join her lectures. Every one of her courses is discussion-based.

“Despite her classes being lecture style, she highly values the input of her students,” says Agata Beau Ramos, one of Dr. Schreyer’s Bachelor of Arts students.

“She regularly gives us opportunities to chime in with our opinions or questions. The safe learning environment she creates is highly motivating and allows for more intimate connections between students.”

“Dr. Schreyer is a very gifted instructor. She nurtures students’ enthusiasm in course topics by encouraging students to explore their own interests wherever possible, and by providing opportunities for students to apply their learning in creative and tangible ways.”

To supplement and enrich her classes, Dr. Schreyer incorporates the use of Padlets (visual boards for organizing and sharing content), online periodicals, TED Talks, podcasts, spoken word performances and various social media platforms. She also offers unique assignments like editing Wikipedia articles to add peer reviewed academic citations. Her classes have had a huge effect on the platform, adding hundreds of references to improve its credibility.

“Dr. Schreyer is a very gifted instructor. She nurtures students’ enthusiasm in course topics by encouraging students to explore their own interests wherever possible, and by providing opportunities for students to apply their learning in creative and tangible ways,” says doctoral student Emily Comeau.

In recognition of her contributions to teaching and learning, Dr. Schreyer was awarded the 2024 Killam Teaching Prize.

Recently named Director of the Institute for Community Engaged Research, Dr. Schreyer will spend the near future focusing on her research while also mentoring graduate students, faculty and community partners in doing good community-based research.

“It will be interesting to see how that different kind of teaching and mentoring works and how I can bring that back to my classes. I think it will make excellent partnerships for the way I approach my teaching.”

The post Engaging UBC Okanagan students and Hollywood audiences alike appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.

Posted in , , | Tagged

Appointment of Dr. Jan Hare as Dean, Faculty of Education

June 27, 2024

Dear colleagues,

It is our pleasure to announce that the UBC Board of Governors has accepted the President’s recommendation to appoint Dr. Jan Hare as the Dean of the Faculty of Education for a five-year term, commencing July 1, 2024.

Read the full message

The post Appointment of Dr. Jan Hare as Dean, Faculty of Education appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.

Posted in , | Tagged

How Dr. Bill Cohen is transforming education through Indigenous perspectives

May 16, 2024

Laughter rings through the University Centre Ballroom as a group of Bachelor of Education students present their puppet plays of a Syilx captikʷɬ story with tmixʷ puppets. The stories activate students’ collective imagination while growing their understanding of the cultural knowledge of the Syilx Okanagan people.

“Storytelling is a community practice,” says Dr. Bill Cohen, an Assistant Professor in the Okanagan School of Education and Indigenous Scholar. Dr. Cohen is from the Okanagan Nation, with extensive kinship ties throughout British Columbia and Washington.

“The puppet show is one way for the students to be the story. They create their own characters—and they can be as minimalistic or elaborate as they’d like—but it’s a collective and creative process.”

captikʷɬ – As defined by Dr. Cohen, captikʷɬ is the Syilx Okanagan traditional story system which expresses cumulative knowledge; literally, “the burning ember passed on generationally to ignite new understanding continuously.”

tmixʷ – As defined by Dr. Cohen, tmixʷ refers to all the diverse water, earth, plant and animal communities’ life strands with spirit and purpose.

The puppet show is one of many different activities and experiences where students learn and unlearn together. Much of Dr. Cohen’s teaching practice has been informed by capti̓kʷɬ, grounded in his Syilx homeland.

Take, for example, the graduate course that Dr. Cohen developed called Coyote Stories: Pedagogy and Praxis. The course focuses on Indigenous traditional knowledge stories and storytelling practices as they relate to theoretical frameworks within teaching and learning.

“We look at stories from Indigenous peoples locally and across the world, and we can see there are consistent themes,” says Dr. Cohen. “They express the interconnectedness and kinship of all beings and the shared responsibilities we have towards future generations.”

He adds: “Interior Salish stories address the presence of ‘monsters,’ which represent societal practices and systems like patriarchy and colonialism. These are destructive and homogenizing to cultural and eco-biodiversity, to food and wellness security. We also have Snk’lip (Coyote), who can transform monsters and make the world safe for the peoples to be. Snkl’lip’s gift, through storyways, is extended to us humans.

“We can use these narratives as a means of fostering understanding, healing and betterment of society.”

“I quickly realized I was learning a lot more from the Elders than they were from me, and that multiple knowledge streams are the way to go.”

Reflecting on his own primary and secondary education, Dr. Cohen says those years were marked by systemic biases and racism in the education system and subsequent disengagement, but he fondly remembers one inspiring teacher.

“Mrs. Young, my 12th-grade English teacher, was the first to say something positive about my writing, and was very encouraging, which helped plant the seeds for a pathway into education.”

This path continued at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, where Dr. Cohen volunteered as a literacy tutor.

“I was teaching and working with mostly Elders and adults who were well educated in the Interior Salish sense,” explains Dr. Cohen. “They knew our languages and traditional knowledge, but didn’t read or write English well. I quickly realized I was learning a lot more from them than they were from me, and that multiple knowledge streams are the way to go. With encouragement from Elders and family members, I decided to get some credentials.

Dr. Bill Cohen stands in front of a classroom full of students, in the middle of explaining something. He wears an orange shirt with an Indigenous design on the front

Dr. Bill Cohen in the classroom.

“When I began teaching subjects like English, social studies and math, I noticed a lack of kinship pedagogy from Syilx Okanagan storyways and practices, where teachers are in aunty-uncle roles with kinship responsibilities to students.”

Now, after nearly 40 years of teaching, he sees his educator role as being a connector. That is, bringing together Elders and traditional knowledge with students and teachers, and co-creating new curriculum.

A passion for his community is at the heart of many of Dr. Cohen’s endeavours. Over the last several decades, he has played a leadership role in a number of initiatives and projects designed to enhance community, including bush school projects with En’owkin Centre, and the creation of an Okanagan Indian Band Cultural Immersion Elementary School.

In recognition of his dedication and passion for inspiring the next generation of educators, Dr. Cohen was recognized by UBC Okanagan with the 2024 Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Innovation.

“With capti̓kʷɬ pedagogy with students and educators, collectively we can transform schools to be more appreciative and sustaining with place-based relationships and cultural and ecological diversity.”

The post How Dr. Bill Cohen is transforming education through Indigenous perspectives appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.

Posted in , , , | Tagged

Nurturing comes easy to Dr. Gina Whitaker

May 6, 2024

Dr. Gina Whitaker has always been a nurturer. From a young age she was surrounded by a community of family and close friends she could rely on. Now, as an Assistant Professor of Teaching in UBC Okanagan’s School of Health and Exercise Sciences, she continues to live and teach in much the same way.

“Community was deeply engrained in me from a young age. My parents were very involved in my life, but so were my grandparents, aunts, uncles and family friends,” she explains. “All of them invested in me and my growth, so it feels very natural to invest in my students’ lives to help them flourish in similar ways.”

However, a career in teaching wasn’t always on Dr. Whitaker’s radar. Initially, she planned to become a medical doctor, which spoke to her nurturing side.

“The whole concept of walking alongside someone in their health journey really appealed to me,” shares Dr. Whitaker. “Helping others was always my biggest interest. Since changing paths to focus on teaching, I now help students in a similar way by walking with them on their educational journey.”

Dr. Whitaker understands that university life isn’t always easy, but she aims to ease her students’ worries and lend an encouraging ear when they need it—something she didn’t always feel during her education.

“As an instructor, you play a big role in shaping how students experience their education.”

“As an instructor, you play a big role in shaping how students experience their education,” she says. “I had a negative experience with an instructor who made me afraid to ask questions during my undergraduate education.”

Thankfully, that instance didn’t stop Dr. Whitaker from pursuing further studies. She ultimately found community once again in a supportive lab group and mentors who encouraged her and invested in her success.

“I don’t think I would have ended up on this trajectory without very significant moments with mentors.”

Dr. Whitaker now draws on her experiences, both positive and negative, to help shape the way she approaches teaching—and students have taken notice.

Even during an evening class at the end of a long day, the lecture hall is full when Dr. Whitaker begins her lessons. They are infused with creativity and care as she incorporates team games, dance breaks and other interactive elements to keep her students engaged and build a strong classroom community. But she also isn’t afraid to ask students what’s working and what isn’t.

“Being able to try new things and be creative is what excites me. I always try to be real with my students and ask them what’s helpful and what isn’t. They like to be included in that process.”

“Being able to try new things and be creative is what excites me,” she says. “I always try to be real with my students and ask them what’s helpful and what isn’t. They like to be included in that process.”

Dr. Whitaker draws further inspiration from her family as she raises two teenagers, giving her important insights into how new generations are learning.

“I love working with my first-year students. I think it has a lot to do with the fact they’re so excited about university life,” shares Dr. Whitaker. “I think of my own kids and how they’re not far off from that phase of their life. That gives me a different kind of heart for my students.”

She adds: “I think my job will evolve naturally as students change—I’ll look for new ways to support them in whatever ways they need to be supported. As long as I stay young at heart, I think I’ll still be here relating to students and continuing to invest in their lives to help them flourish.”

The post Nurturing comes easy to Dr. Gina Whitaker appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.

Posted in , , , | Tagged

Funding opportunities for UBC-Germany collaboration 

May 1, 2024

We are pleased to welcome representatives from the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to UBC Okanagan this May as we explore new and continuing opportunities for worldwide collaboration.  

The UBC Okanagan campus community is invited to connect with representatives from German funding agencies at an information session to learn more about the German research environment and funding opportunities to support research activities and collaboration with German partners, including details on grants supporting individual academic mobility and program funding. 

Information Session Details 

A reception event will also take place by invitation for additional opportunities for high-level discussion about partnership opportunities. If you are interested in attending this event please contact raina.reddecliff@ubc.ca.  

Posted in | Tagged | Leave a response

Dr. Julien Picault navigates the unpaved path to success

April 30, 2024

Many students—and even scholars—believe that economics is just about money, as conveyed by popular media. This idea is so prevalent that as a student Julien Picault also believed it—until he took his first economics course. In time, he learned to appreciate the complexity and vastness of economic reasoning.

Now a Professor of Teaching in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Picault views economics as a way to investigate and understand the behaviours and relationships interwoven in our everyday lives, with a critical question at its heart: how do we manage resources?

Not only is this question central to the practice of economics, but it also has far-reaching implications for our lives as we all manage scarce resources such as our time, energy and attention.

As an educator, Dr. Picault primarily devotes his resources to supporting the acquisition of knowledge among students and colleagues, guided by his own educational journey, experiences and research in economics education.

Studying did not come naturally to Dr. Picault. As a first-generation student, higher education was not something he or his family had envisioned for his future. Often enough, he barely met the minimum requirements to pass his classes. At the time, he felt many of his instructors underestimated him; some even assumed he would fail.

“I don’t have all the answers. The reality is it’s always possible to do better. By developing and sharing our resources, we stay relevant and make sure our students get something better from being here.”

Despite these challenges, Dr. Picault persisted. A pivotal moment in his educational journey was an international exchange program that took him to Montréal, which transformed his self-perception about his aptitude for education. His personal academic journey gave him a unique perspective and rare understanding of the hurdles so many students encounter.

“I learned to play with being underestimated most of the time. I didn’t feel like I found a mentor who saw value in me until I met Dr. Yves Richelle, my master’s supervisor,” says Dr. Picault. “I strive to be a role model for students; I want to provide them with the tools and guidance necessary to overcome obstacles similar to those I faced.”

As a Professor of Teaching, Dr. Picault blends research and pedagogy, using a variety of educational techniques informed by his research in economics education. His research interests originally emerged as he explored the successful engagement strategies of other economics instructors.

This project would eventually grow into The Economics Instructors Toolbox, an internationally renowned resource that supports the teaching community and impacts the education of colleagues and students around the world.

“I won’t be the one changing the world. If we progress as a society, that’s going to be our students.”

“I don’t have all the answers,” says Dr. Picault. “The reality is it’s always possible to do better. By developing and sharing our resources, we stay relevant and make sure our students get something better from being here.”

As a recipient of the 2024 Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Innovation, Dr. Picault made it his mission to provide the support and mentorship he feels he lacked. He continues to reflect on students’ long-term and short-term well-being to help them overcome their educational challenges.

“I want to keep developing teaching methods, as well as new and better ways of thinking to help students reflect and navigate their way through the world. We need to expose our students to new perspectives and ideas that can broaden their horizons and encourage critical thinking,” says Dr. Picault.

“I won’t be the one changing the world. If we progress as a society, that’s going to be our students.”

The post Dr. Julien Picault navigates the unpaved path to success appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.

Posted in , , | Tagged

Professor Gady Jacoby appointed Dean of the Faculty of Management

April 29, 2024

Dear colleagues,

I am pleased to announce that the UBC Board of Governors has approved the appointment of Professor Gady Jacoby as Dean, Faculty of Management, for a five-year term, commencing July 1, 2024.

Read the full message

The post Professor Gady Jacoby appointed Dean of the Faculty of Management appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.

Posted in , , | Tagged

Congratulating Outstanding Instructors for the 2023/24 academic year

April 24, 2024

Dear colleagues,

Across all Faculties and disciplines at UBC Okanagan are educators dedicated to offering an exceptional student experience. The Outstanding Instructor Award recognizes those who have demonstrated a continued commitment to having positive impacts on students’ experiences in their classrooms.

John-Tyler Binfet, Okanagan School of Education Tim Paulson, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Brian Dalton, Faculty of Health and Social Development Julien Picault, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
John Greenough, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science Jamie Piercy, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Karen Hodges, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science Richard Plunkett, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science
Donna Jansons, Faculty of Health and Social Development Dean Richert, School of Engineering
Adam Jones, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Deanna Perrin, School of Engineering
Lindsay Kennedy, Faculty of Health and Social Development Monic Pratch, Faculty of Management
Eva-Marie Kovacs-Kowalke, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Alireza Sadeghifar, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science
Heather Latimer, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences John Sasso, Faculty of Health and Social Development
Loïc Markley, School of Engineering Christine Schreyer, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Jana Martin, Faculty of Management Elizabeth Trudel, School of Engineering
Abdallah Mohamed, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science Paul Tsopméné, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science
Jeff More, Faculty of Health and Social Development Graeme Webb, School of Engineering
Emily Murphy, Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies Melanie Willson, Faculty of Health and Social Development

Please join us in congratulating the Outstanding Instructor Award recipients, nominated by their Faculties, for the 2023/24 academic year:

Sincerely,

Brad Wuetherick
Associate Provost, Academic Programs, Teaching and Learning

Ramon Lawrence
Academic Director, UBC Okanagan Centre for Teaching and Learning

Posted in , | Tagged | Leave a response