Learning Innovation: The Teaching & Learning Podcast

E53: STUDENT VOICES – Celebrating Black culture and identity at Lethbridge College

In this thought-provoking episode, we recognize Black History Month (BHM) with a meaningful panel discussion featuring Lethbridge College students: Sharon Boit, Susan Samaila, and Raihau-Milz Izonyobore.

The trio discuss the significance of BHM events at the college, and share heart-felt dialogue about Black culture and identity, including influences like language, education, tradition, and intersectionality.

During the episode, Sharon, Susan, Raihau, and Donna (host) mention:

• List of BHM events at Lethbridge College 
• LCSA – Lethbridge College Student Association
• General Arts and Science – Pre-Social Work Major planning guide
• Administrative Office Professional program at Lethbridge College
• Criminal Justice - Policing program at Lethbridge College 
• How to make Nigerian scrambled eggs (3-minute video) 
• BHM meal kit pickup – Eastern African meal (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Congo, Sudan) 
  • Register for a meal kit HERE 
• Kenya (Google Maps)
• Utamaduni Day – a celebration of all the cultures in Kenya 
• Cultural appropriation 
• Mursik (fermented milk) 
• Nigeria (Google Maps)
• FGM – Female genital mutilation 
• Burundi (Google Maps)
• Intersectionality 
• International Services at Lethbridge College 
• Third Places (spaces) 
• The Cave – a safe, inclusive student hangout spot at the college 
  • Thirsty Thursday 
• Diwali: Festival of Lights 
• Lethbridge Buchanan Library 
• Wellness Services at Lethbridge College 
• LCSA Food bank for students 
• East African Pilau – Kenyan pilau 
• Nigerian Jollof Rice 
• Kenyan Chapati | Chapo recipe 
• Canadian Pow Wow calendar 
• Grand Prairie Police Service 

E52: Turning ChatGPT into Socrates – Giving students real-time feedback through a clever prompt

Alexander McEwan, an aspiring K-12 teacher set to graduate with his bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Lethbridge, shares about his unique teaching practicum last semester at Chinook High School. 

Along with running an AI research project, Alex explored creative ways to introduce his students to generative AI. Using tools like Class Companion and ChatGPT, Alex showed his students how to simplify dense text, clarify concepts through metaphors and analogies, and assess their knowledge through interactive conversations with AI – i.e., his “AI Socratic Seminar Assignment”. 

Alex goes into depth about this experimental assignment that, through a creative ChatGPT prompt, sparked conversations that helped students think critically and get targeted real-time feedback. 

During the podcast, Alex and Donna (host) mention: 

• University of Lethbridge 
  • Bachelor of Education 
• Chinook High School in Lethbridge, Alberta
• Generative AI – a category of artificial intelligence that creates new content, such as text, images, or music, by learning patterns from existing data and generating output that is similar or inspired by that data. 
• Class Companion 
• ChatGPT 
• Socrates 
• OpenAI 
• French Revolution 
• Alex’s AI Socratic Seminar Assignment ChatGPT prompt to assess students’ understanding: As an expert in the Socratic method, assess my knowledge and understanding by asking me one question at a time about _______. Ask me a series of questions to measure my understanding of _______. Ask follow-up questions when I show shallow understanding or vagueness in my response. Once you are confident you know my level of understanding, please stop the conversation and give me some productive feedback on my responses. Do you understand? 
• Treaty of Versailles 
• Academic integrity – the ethical practice of honesty, fairness, and ethical conduct in all aspects of academic work, including research, writing, and assessments, to uphold the values and standards of educational institutions. 
• "Ableist" refers to discriminatory attitudes, behaviors, or beliefs that discriminate against or marginalize individuals with disabilities, reinforcing prejudices or stereotypes about their abilities and worth. 
• “Burstiness” in AI – the phenomenon where a system or model produces a sudden and concentrated burst of responses, often due to the presence of specific input patterns or triggers, rather than maintaining a consistent or balanced output (read Sherice Jacob’s article: Perplexity and Burstiness in Writing). 
• 21st-century learner – an individual who embraces digital literacy, critical thinking, adaptability, and collaboration skills to effectively navigate and succeed in the evolving and technology-driven learning environments of the 21st century. 
• PIP – Professional Inquiry Project 
• Destination Exploration (University of Lethbridge science camp) 
• Piikani Nation
• Kainai Nation – Blood Tribe 

E51: Reshaping nursing pedagogy to integrate Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)

“Recognize that unlearning is the highest form of learning.” – Rumi 

Liz Cernigoy, chair of Lethbridge College's nursing program, and nursing instructor Danielle Aitkens expand on the recent effort to rebuild the college’s nursing curriculum with a focus on EDI. The pair explore ideas around how we teach, and how students learn so that more learning styles can be accommodated.  

By teaching from a place of humility, Liz and Danielle hope to graduate students who will not only flourish as professionals and affect positive changes in their communities, but also recognize their inherent biases, and stretch their thinking as they grow and evolve as people. 

During the podcast, Liz, Danielle, and Donna (host) mention: 

• TRC – Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada 
• University of Lethbridge 
• Intersectionality
• EDI – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Health and Wellness Programs at Lethbridge College 
• Alberta Health Services 
• Covenant Health
• CASN – Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing  
• The CASN Biennial Canadian Nursing Education Conference 2023 
• STATEMENT– CASN apologizes to Indigenous peoples of Canada for colonial harms resulting from nursing education (Dec. 11. 2023) 
• NESA – Nursing Education in Southwestern Alberta (Bachelor of Nursing) 
• White privilege
• Story Theory (journal article)
• Tokenism 
• Hi-Fi (high-fidelity) Simulation 
• Gamification 
• Talking Circles (journal article) 
• Land-based learning
• Indigenous Policing Microcredentials 
  • Listen to how these microcredentials were developed on E:48 
• Niitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy) 
• Positionality (statement) 

E50: Watching for signals, change drivers, and learning opportunities – CTLI’s adaptive, collaborative, and culture-building ethos

Jaclyn Doherty, dean of Lethbridge College’s Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation, celebrates our 50th episode with us! She and Donna commiserate over past episodes and discuss the evolving strategies that influence Jackie's efforts to foster an agile and collaborative culture within CTLI. 

This episode is dedicated to our dear friend and colleague, Melissa Reed Boogaart. She was a warm and loving person whom we’ll greatly miss. This one’s for you, Melissa. <3 

During the episode, Jackie and Donna mention: 

• Most-memorable episodes: 
  • E12: Bonus episode – 16 Hours more Innovative but 40% Wrong (Ben O'Hara and Tim Moss Australia CTL) 
  • E11: Workplace Integrated Learning (WIL), Virtual and Augmented Reality, and creating environments to thrive in (Eric and Spencer with their instructor, Kris Hodgeson-Bright) 
  • E41: How ChatGPT is Evolving the Way We Teach and Assess Academic Writing (Dr. Alec Couros) 
  • E38: STUDENT PANEL – Cherishing the Cultural and Community Connections of Black History Month (Black History Month student panel interview) 
  • E39: A Critical Look at ChatGPT in Education – How Natural Language Processors are Shifting Our Perspective on Teaching, Learning and Assessments (Dr. Brenda McDermott on AI and academic integrity) 
  • E47: Updates in STEM – Sparking real-world connections between K-12 and the Trades to foster early career passions (STEM project) 
  • E49: Generative AI and instructional design: Emphasizing the process of learning over the product of learning (Kristin and Craig talking about generative AI) 
• Jackie’s doctoral dissertation: A Blueprint for Promoting Innovation, Interdisciplinary Teamwork, and Collaboration 
• Western University 
• Lewin’s 3-Stage Model of Change Theory: Overview 
• Design Thinking 
• Systems Thinking 
• ChatGPT 
• Educause 
  • Horizon Reports 
• Future Today Institute
• LinkedIn Learning 
• Reskilling in the Age of AI (Harvard Business Review) 
• Begin with Trust by Frances X. Frei and Anne Morriss (Trust Triangle = Logic + Authenticity + Empathy) 

E49: Generative AI and instructional design: Emphasizing the process of learning over the product of learning

Kristin Bond and Craig McCarthy, instructional designers at Lethbridge College, join the pod to talk about their experimentation using generative AI to help build course rubrics. The pair discuss how ChatGPT saves hours on tedious, low-level tasks, and creates opportunities for more creative, higher-level thinking in course development.

Craig and Kristin pose thoughtful questions about a more reflective learning process, and how, through open dialogue, instructors and students can navigate how to use generative AI, both in project work and in assessment methods.

During the recording, Craig, Kristin, and Donna (host) mention:

• UDL – Universal Design for Learning 
• University of Lethbridge 
• SAMR – Substitution, augmentation, modification, redefinition 
• SAMR and AI Chatbots 
• Grammarly 
• Teaching Writing with Generative AI by Leon Furze (how generative AI is shifting how English instructors are grading writing) 
• John Dewey’s Learning Theory: How We Learn Through Experience (the process of learning vs product of learning comes from John Dewy’s teaching philosophy) 
• AI: the New Electricity? by Dr. Phillipa Hardman (she discussed reframing how we think of AI, not as technology but more as an infrastructure) 
• Prompt engineering – giving generative AI context (such as a role) for what you’re asking. For example, a prompt could be: “You’re a marine biologist working on Vancouver Island. What are your top 5 climate change concerns regarding your industry?” Generally, the more context you can provide, the better your generative AI output will be. 
• Try out Chat GPT! It’s so easy to try, and your experiments might surprise you. You could start with a prompt as simple as: “Hey it’s my first time here. Tell me what to ask you!” 

E48: Indigenous Policing Microcredentials at Lethbridge College – Seeking to give back to Indigenous communities by nurturing deeper cultural empathy

Trudi Mason, dean of Justice and Human Services; Lowell Yellowhorn, manager of Indigenous services, and Mark Smallbones, instructor and placement advisor with the School of Justice Studies, discuss the massive community effort in developing Lethbridge College’s Indigenous Policing Microdcredentials. 

This six-course suite was created by several key stakeholders with unique lenses, including members of the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy), Métis Nation, and Blood Tribe Police Service. These microcredentials are helping public safety officers (and anyone who takes them) better understand, empathize with, and serve Indigenous communities in southern Alberta. 

During the episode, Trudi, Lowell, Mark, and Donna (host) mention:

• Indigenous Policing Microcredentials Suite: 
  • History, Culture, and Reconciliation 
  • Trust, Respect, and Communication 
  • Human Trafficking 
  • Intimate Partner Violence & Abuse of Elderly Persons 
  • Sexual Abuse and Missing Persons 
  • Drugs and Addictions in Indigenous Communities 
• Blackfoot Confederacy 
• Métis Nation
• Blood Tribe 
• Blood Tribe Police Service 
• Rolf Inquiry
• Inikiikawaiks – the people who go and catch people; catching people. This is a Blackfoot term some people use to describe the police
• RCMP – Royal Canadian Mounted Police 
• Piikani Nation 
  • Lone Fighter challenges (Lone Fighters divert Oldman)  
  • LNID – Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District 
• The Cardston Blockade of 1980 (2-minute news report) 
• Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site 
• Sundance: Blackfoot spirituality from a member of the Horn Society on Face to Face 
• Red Crow College 
• Kainai Peacemaking Center Sod Turning Ceremony (3-minute video) 
• Stand Off, Alberta 
• Chief Mountain (located in Montana, US, and visible from southern Alberta) 
• TRC - Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada 
• Generational trauma refers to the emotional, psychological, or social wounds and adverse effects passed down through successive generations, often resulting from significant and traumatic events experienced by a community, family, or cultural group. 
• Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement: A Guide for Officers and Their Families by Kevin M. Gilmartin 
• FTO – Field Training Officer 
• Dene 
• Cree

Trudi, Lowell, Mark, and Donna thank everyone involved with the creation of the Indigenous Policing Microcredentials, including elders and Indigenous community members, Blood Tribe Police Service and leadership, Lethbridge College Indigenous Services and faculty, and finally, the Government of Alberta. 

E47: Updates in STEM – Sparking real-world connections between K-12 and the Trades to foster early career passions

Warren Anderson and Spencer Wenzel from Westwind School Division, and Eric Mitchell, an automotive instructor from Lethbridge College, share how the STEM collaboration has evolved between Westwind School Division and the college.

The trio discuss their roles in the collab, and dive into detail on the resources they're developing – specifically the STEM kits that are helping to make learning sticky for students. These kits are categorized into three tiers, including demo kits, tool kits, and project kits, and they offer learners practical examples to help build deeper conceptual learning.

During the podcast, Warren, Spencer, Eric, and Donna (host) mention:

• STEM at Lethbridge College 
• Westwind School Division
• LITL-Pod E28: K-12 STEM Collaboration - Supporting Authentic Learning Experiences through the Trades 
• Centre for Trades at Lethbridge College  
• Wind Turbine Technician at Lethbridge College 
• Carpentry Apprenticeship at Lethbridge College 
• Welding Apprenticeship at Lethbridge College 
• Plumber Apprenticeship at Lethbridge College 
• Culinary Arts at Lethbridge College 
• Heavy Equipment Technician Apprenticeship at Lethbridge College 
• Agriculture Equipment Technician Apprenticeship at Lethbridge College 
• Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Technician at Lethbridge College 
• Electrician Apprenticeship at Lethbridge College 
• Oersted’s compass demonstration (2½ -minute video) 
• Ohm’s law states that the current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to the voltage across it and inversely proportional to the resistance. 
• Want to talk about STEM/STEAM? Have feedback on the kits or suggestions on more we should add to our STEM site? We want to hear from you! Send an email to stem@lethbridgecollege.ca 

E46: Student-led learning – Shifting theory into practice with real-world project management

Kelly Thompson, Lethbridge College business instructor, is making waves in the third iteration of her project management class–where students are building, managing and implementing group projects (typically fundraisers for local charities).

Kelly is joined by her former student, Josh Helmer, and the pair discuss the far-reaching impacts this hands-on teaching style has for learners, instructors, and the community as a whole. 

During the podcast, Kelly, Josh, and Donna mention: 

• Lethbridge College Business Administration 
• University of Lethbridge 
• Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charity 
• Boys & Girls Club Lethbridge 
• Lethbridge Foodbank 
• Aha moment 
• WBS – work breakdown structure 
• Interested in implementing student-led learning projects in your classroom? Reach out to Kelly Thompson to chat! 

E45: Truth and Reconciliation at Lethbridge College – Gathering to remember the past and protect the future of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

Marni Hope Miisomii'kitsikaakii (Long Time Offering), Lethbridge College’s Indigenous student support and events coordinator, shares about Truth and Reconciliation events happening around campus. Marni emphasizes the far-reaching impacts of these efforts, and ways we can personalize and practice applying Truth and Reconciliation principles daily. 

During the podcast, Marni and guest-host, Jordana, mention: 

• Winter Count Robe 
• Lethbridge Kodiaks Indigenous Logo 
  • Kodiaks Athletics
• Lethbridge College Culinary Arts Program
• Lethbridge College Culinary Services
• Bannock 
• Fry bread 
• ELT - Executive Leadership Team 
• Piikani Nation
• Blackfoot Confederacy 
  • Blackfoot Confederacy Flag 
• Trades Building, Cousins Building (view locations on a Lethbridge College virtual tour) 
  • Hubbard Collection virtual tour 
• Indigenous Services at Lethbridge College 
• William Singer 3rd biography  
• Innii is the Blackfoot word meaning Buffalo
• Interactive map of residential schools in North America 
• Wider Horizons Fall 2023: The New Buffalo –> be sure to pick up a hard copy at the college or around the city of Lethbridge! 
• Sundance - Blackfoot spirituality from a member of the Horn Society on Face to Face 
• Video: We Are Aikowania 
  • This logo won a CCAA Innovation Award
• Bones of Crows
• 94 Calls to Action  
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada 
• Tokenism (according to Cambridge Dictionary): something that a person or organization does that seems to support or help a group of people who are treated unfairly in society, such as giving a member of that group an important or public position, but which is not meant to make changes that would help that group of people in a lasting way.
• Niitsitapi Proficiency Microcredential -> reflect on the history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada 

E44: The art of narrative instruction – Promoting more active & authentic learning

Rosemary Shannon, Instructor and Chair of Lethbridge College’s Massage Therapy Program, shares her use of narrative instruction that's bringing learning to life for her students. Rosemary uses illustrative language to guide her students in developing hands-on skills from day one. This method not only saves Rosemary hours in demonstration time, but it’s also helping her students gain confidence in establishing a practice that’s uniquely their own.

References: 

• Massage Therapy Program at Lethbridge College 
• Draping (in massage therapy) uses sheets, towels, or blankets to cover and expose only the specific areas of the body being worked on while maintaining the client's comfort, privacy, and modesty.
• Effleurage is a massage technique characterized by long, gliding strokes using the palms or fingertips, typically used as a gentle and relaxing introductory movement. 
• Malcolm Gladwell popularized that achieving expert-level proficiency in a field typically requires around 10,000 hours (about one year and one and a half months) of deliberate practice, as highlighted in his book, Outliers: The Story of Success.
• Coaldale, Alberta
• Want to join a narrative instruction community of practice? Connect with Rosemary Shannon!