BCcampus News for the week of May 15, 2024 No images? Click here Hi reader, This issue, we're pleased to highlight one of our core values: collaboration. At BCcampus, we believe cross-sector collaboration is the key to driving meaningful educational change in B.C. BCcampus and Learning Equality are partnering to bring educational resources to remote communities in B.C., where internet access is limited or unavailable. This partnership aims to expand access to open course materials, ensuring equitable learning opportunities for all. Additionally, we're introducing the SERT Advisory Committee, a group of experts focused on driving innovation in education across the B.C. post-secondary system. Stay tuned for more updates on these initiatives as we continue to work towards our shared goal of driving innovation in teaching, learning, and open education. Learning Opportunities📅 B.C. Open Education Community Meeting - MayMay 16, 2024 | 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. The newly formed B.C. Open Education Community welcomes members from the post-secondary sector in British Columbia and the Yukon. This community convenes virtually every month, fostering an environment for sharing insights, providing support, and engaging in discussions about the challenges, best practices, and current issues in open education. Join us for this series of meetings intended to create community and conversation. Learn more: B.C. Open Education Community Monthly Meetings 📅 FLO Lab: Maximizing Student Learning with Assessment -As, -For, and -Of LearningMay 22, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. In this FLO Lab, participants can expect to create their own assessment and evaluation plan including opportunities for their students to engage in deep learning through layered assessment -as, -for, and -of learning activities. Participants are encouraged to bring their current course syllabus, unit/topic assessment plans, or a set of course learning outcomes. A framework template will be provided for participants to customize, along with a completed example for reference. Learn more: FLO Lab: Maximizing Student Learning with Assessment -As, -For, and -Of Learning 📅 Meet Kolibri: Expanding the Reach of BCcampus Open Resources to Learners Lacking Internet AccessMay 22, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Lauren Lichtman and Jacob Pierce from Learning Equality will showcase Kolibri's success stories, illustrating its functionality for learners and educators and its ability to deliver customized local digital content. Alan Levine and Harper Friedman will demonstrate how BCcampus' open textbooks, enriched with interactive elements, will be migrated to Kolibri, aiming to extend educational resources to learners in regions without broadband internet access. Learn more: Meet Kolibri: Expanding the Reach of BCcampus Open Resources to Learners Lacking Internet Access 📅 FLO Friday: Openness, Flexibility, and Kindness in the ClassroomMay 24, 2024 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Join us for this free, one-hour FLO webinar exploring the three qualities of an effective interpersonal communicator: openness, flexibility, and kindness. Discover their importance in enriching classroom communication experiences. By prioritizing these qualities, educators can establish a courageous, learner-centred environment where students feel empowered to engage authentically in learning relationships with faculty and fellow students. Learn more: FLO Friday: Openness, Flexibility, and Kindness in the Classroom 📅 FLO MicroCourse – The Space Between Us: Navigating Boundaries in Post-Secondary EducationMay 27-31, 2024 As post-secondary educators become more aware of, and proficient with, trauma-informed and student-centred approaches to teaching, a greater understanding of the need to create and set boundaries with students has emerged. This free FLO MicroCourse offers participants the opportunity to consider and reflect on their own professional boundaries as well as discuss and practice boundary setting. Learn more: FLO MicroCourse – The Space Between Us: Navigating Boundaries in Post-Secondary Education 📅 FLO Panel: Accessibility in Post-Secondary Education – A B.C. PerspectiveJune 4, 2024 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. The panel participants will consider the implementation of the Accessible British Columbia Act in post-secondary settings. Covering a range of topics from the creation of accessibility committees, to inclusive design principles, and from fostering feedback mechanisms, to addressing access gaps, the panel will discuss concerns important to students, instructors, and post-secondary service providers. Learn more: FLO Panel: Accessibility in Post-Secondary Education – A B.C. Perspective 📅 BCcampus Regional RoadshowJune 10-18, 2024 | Kelowna, Kamloops, and Castlegar This spring, BCcampus is hitting the road and heading to regional institutions in the province. In June, we will be visiting a handful of B.C.’s post-secondary institutions to explore current themes in post-secondary teaching and learning. Each stop on the BCcampus Regional Roadshow will offer a tailored selection of workshops, sessions, and topics delivered in our signature style of caring, inclusive, and fun learning spaces. Join us at:
Registration is free and open to all members of B.C. and Yukon PSIs. Learn more: BCcampus Regional Roadshow 📅 FLO MicroCourse: Artificial Intelligence Images in the ClassroomJune 17-21, 2024 In this one-week FLO MicroCourse, we will explore the ethical complexities of artificial intelligence (AI) image generation, exploring issues like bias, ownership, and the future of creativity. Through hands-on experimenting with AI tools, analyzing examples, and engaging in debates with peers, you will have the opportunity to build your own ethical framework to navigate this powerful technology. Artists, teachers, and art enthusiasts are welcome! Learn more: FLO MicroCourse: Artificial Intelligence Images in the Classroom 📅 FLO Friday: Enhancing the Human Aspects in Designing Learning with GenAIJune 21, 2024 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. This workshop aims to empower educators to weave generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) into their pedagogical practices, with a strong emphasis on amplifying human qualities like creativity, empathy, collaboration, and personalization in learning environments. Through interactive discussions, participants will delve into the ethical and mindful application of GenAI in education. This session also sets the stage for educators to co-develop a practical framework to maximize the human element when designing meaningful learning experiences with GenAI. Learn more: FLO Friday: Enhancing the Human Aspects in Designing Learning with GenAI 📅 FLO Lab: Fostering Inclusive Learning Environments – The Synergy of Generative Artificial Intelligence and Universal Design for LearningJune 26, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Join us for this engaging and free workshop introducing you to the dynamic intersection of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). You will explore the fundamentals of UDL, an educational framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. You will also explore the transformative power of GenAI technologies in creating adaptive, personalized learning experiences meeting the varied needs of learners. A complete list of our upcoming events, archives, and resources is available on our website. Recommended Reading📘 Kolibri Platform Helps Increase BCcampus’ Reach: Supporting Learners in Rural and Remote CommunitiesA new partnership between BCcampus and Learning Equality will support learners in remote communities across British Columbia where internet access is limited or unavailable. Through this collaboration, BCcampus will expand learning experiences and offer its extensive collection of open course materials to remote communities in B.C. Learn more: Kolibri Platform Helps Increase BCcampus’ Reach: Supporting Learners in Rural and Remote Communities 📘 Introducing the Shared Educational Resources and Technology Advisory CommitteeThe Shared Educational Resources and Technology (SERT) Advisory Committee will guide the B.C. post-secondary system on shared and open models for developing, delivering, and sustaining educational technologies and curriculum and course materials. This initiative is funded by the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills as part of the implementation of the British Columbia Post-Secondary Digital Learning Strategy. Learn more: Introducing the Shared Educational Resources and Technology Advisory Committee Check out the latest news from BCcampus on our blog. Open Education UpdatesThis month, learn about the Kolibri platform, a system designed for students and instructors wanting to use open educational resources (OER) but lacking internet access. For those interested in students' experience with OER, this Research Insights paper offers a balanced perspective. Learn more: Open Education Updates for May 2024 Check out the latest B.C. Open Education Updates. Seeking Submissions💻 2024 Pan-Canadian Digital Learning SurveyWe invite you to participate in the 2024 Spring Pan-Canadian Digital Learning Survey (formerly the National Survey of Online and Digital Learning) conducted by the Canadian Digital Learning Research Association. The survey will ask you to share your personal perspective and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. The purpose of the project is to explore key issues in digital learning and to provide recommendations for improving digital learning at publicly funded post-secondary institutions in Canada. Please complete and submit the survey by May 31, 2024. 💻 Equity Sequence: Building Equality Better In partnership with the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, BCcampus is offering free access to Equity Sequence training to anyone in the public B.C. post-secondary sector. Space is limited and provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The Equity Sequence training takes place in an online, gamified learning platform and community. The learner encounters informative video content, engages in self-reflection and sharing with the community, and puts their new skill to use on case studies before applying the Equity Sequence to their own work. Learn more: Equity Sequence: Building Equality Better 💻 Expression of Interest: EdTech Sandbox 2024-2025 Leader We invite expressions of interest from educators, educational technology developers, and learning designers from B.C.’s public post-secondary institutions to lead a session in the EdTech Sandbox Series. The focus areas for 2024-2025 include:
Please complete the application form by May 31, 2024. Learn more: Expression of Interest: EdTech Sandbox 2024-2025 Leader 💻 Job Posting: Communication & Engagement Strategist – Term Come and work with us! BCcampus is seeking a Communication & Engagement Strategist for a term position from July 2024 to September 2025. The ideal candidate possesses exceptional communication skills, attention to detail, and a bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience. If you’re passionate about higher education and skilled in communication, join us in enhancing BCcampus’ outreach and engagement efforts. Apply by May 17, 2024. Learn more: Communication & Engagement Strategist – Term BCcampus offices are situated on the unceded territories of the səl̓ilwətaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsleil-Waututh), Skwxwú7mesh-ulh Temíx̱w (Squamish), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), W̱SÁNEĆ (Saanich), and the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations of the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) Peoples. As both individuals and an organization, we continue to learn and build relationships as we actively respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. |