Teaching and Learning Practices, Theories and Assessments
Explore teaching and learning practices, theories, and assessments as they relate to your teaching context and priorities. You will engage in conversations and activities that are grounded in a learning-centered, evidence-based approach which focuses on students’ learning as well as your own.
Course description
In this course, you will explore teaching and learning practices, theories and assessments as they relate to your teaching context and priorities. We will engage in conversations and activities that are grounded in a learning-centred, evidence-based approach which focuses on students’ learning as well as your own. We will examine practices such as:
- Applying innovative and effective teaching approaches
- Designing aligned learning activities and assessments
- Setting clear expectations for both teaching and learning
- Gathering feedback and critically reflecting on one’s own teaching
Assessment activities will include engaging in discussions and peer review of teaching and learning materials as well as your choice of reflecting on classroom observations conducted with colleagues (in a Teaching Square) or compiling artefacts developed in the course into a teaching dossier.
Please note: Participants can take only one course per term.
Course dates and times
This course will be offered once per academic year.
Next offering: January 23 – April 17, 2025
Deadline to register: January 15, 2025
Please ensure your availability before registering for this course.
You will learn to
- Examine key learning theories and approaches in light of your own teaching practice
- Apply evidence-based practice to plan and align innovative courses, activities, assignments and/or other learning experiences
- Implement methods to assess student learning
- Critically reflect on and document your teaching and learning using multiple sources of evidence
Module 1 — Laying the groundwork: Foundational theories, concepts and practices
Session 1: Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 (in person) | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Session 2: Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 (in person) | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Session 3: Week of Feb. 3 – 7, 2025 (asynchronous online)
Session 4: Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 (in person) | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Module 2 — Engaging students: Activating learning
Session 5: Feb. 17 – 21, 2025 (term break)
Session 6: Feb. 24 – 28, 2025 (asynchronous online)
Session 7: Thursday, Mar. 6, 2025 (in person) | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Module 3 — Assessment: Student learning and your teaching
Session 8: Week of Mar. 10 – 14, 2025 (asynchronous online)
Session 9: Thursday, Mar. 20, 2025 (in person) | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Session 10: Week of Mar. 24 – 28, 2025 (asynchronous online)
Session 11: Thursday, Apr. 3, 2025 (in person) | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Module 4 — Bringing it all together
Session 12: Week of Apr. 7 – 11, 2025 (asynchronous online)
Session 13: Thursday, Apr. 17, 2025 (in person) | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Our approach
This course strives to create and sustain a learning community among its participants by combining synchronous and asynchronous online learning activities. Through in person sessions, there will be opportunities to engage in discussions, collaborative learning activities, as well as teaching observations and reflections with your colleagues.
Asynchronous components in D2L may include activities such as listening to podcasts, watching videos, interacting on discussion boards, and posting and reflecting on your work and that of your colleagues. In order to successfully achieve the learning outcomes in the course, active participation in both the in person and D2L online environments is necessary.