Teaching and Learning Starting Points

Course Design Program and additional learning modules 
9-12 hours+ | Synchronous course and additional asynchronous learning modules

The Course Design Program uses evidence-based practical strategies to help inform and direct your course design. This program will help you to develop an overall course design plan and identify practical strategies for designing, teaching, and evaluating your course, whether your course is online, in the classroom, or blended.

Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education 
2-3 hours | Self-paced learning module

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework that guides the design of courses and learning environments to appeal to the largest number of learners. It emphasizes flexibility in how instructional material is presented, how students demonstrate their knowledge and skills, and how they are engaged in learning. This learning module includes a description of UDL, an overview of the three UDL principles, and strategies to incorporate UDL into different types of courses.

Creating Student-Centered Course Outlines
10 minutes | Self-paced reading

The purpose of this handout is for you to explore the impact of a student-centered outline on student learning and how to intentionally develop one to reflect the learning happening in your course.

Explore Learning Design further.

Assessment Principles 
20 minutes | Self-paced reading

The UCalgary Principles for the Assessment of Student Learning have been developed to support instructors as they design and implement assessments based on their particular context and expertise.

The principles are meant to guide and influence meaningful reflection, dialogue and decision-making related to assessment practices. This webpage provides the background information on the process and results of developing the principles.

Assessment of Student Learning
10-60 minutes | Self-paced reading

This page includes a brief description, links to relevant resources, and examples for each of the 11 UCalgary assessment principles.  For example, under Principle a, you will find links to more information on Authentic assessment, a learning module on Designing Student Assessments, and using case studies and metacognitive elements in your assignments and tests.

Exploring Artificial Intelligence and Assessments
20 minutes | Self-paced reading

This high level guide provides updated context on generative AI for instructors, including key terminology, ethical AI literacy, possible risks and limitations, and practical approaches for designing assessments that support learning and integrity.

Explore Assessment further.

Generative AI (GenAI) in Teaching and Learning
10-60 minutes | Self-paced reading

This webpage provides the overview of institutional Guiding Principles and Resources for considering the use of GenAI in courses.  At UCalgary, we recognize the transformative potential of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in teaching and learning innovation and future-focused programs. We are equally committed to ensuring that this transformation is achieved ethically, responsibly and in a manner consistent with our core values articulated in Ahead of Tomorrow. 

Introduction to D2L (Course/learning management system)
95 minutes | Synchronous and asynchronous video tutorial

Learn how to effectively use D2L (Brightspace), our university’s learning management system. By the end of this course, participants will be able to: navigate the D2L (Brightspace) Learning Environment, add content, create learning activities and assessment items in their course, and utilize various communication tools within D2L.

Explore Learning Technologies further.

Teaching Days
50 minutes each | Synchronous online workshops over 3 days in August

Taylor Institute Teaching Days provides a meaningful and concentrated opportunity for academic staff, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and staff to prepare for the upcoming academic year, connect, reflect and strengthen teaching and learning practices across campus.

Explore Learning Design further.

Student Academic Integrity: A Handbook for Academic Staff and Teaching Assistants
45–60 minutes | Self-paced reading

This guide begins with background sections that provide an overview of what academic integrity is, roles and responsibilities related to academic integrity, and how to speak the language of integrity. It is not meant to address all possible situations or outcomes, but instead to provide practical support to help you understand what you can do to promote academic integrity and what to do when a case of academic misconduct arises.

Creating a Culture of Equity in Academic Integrity: Best Practices for Teaching and Learning
90 minutes | Recorded webinar

This session reviews inequitable practices related to academic integrity. These practices threaten to undermine the vital work of celebrating and affirming a diverse academic community. This presentation will consider the ramifications for students, teachers, and researchers, and offer research-based solutions to refine current approaches to teaching and upholding academic integrity.  

Academic Integrity Series: Urgent and Emerging Topics
60 minutes each | Instructor focus | Current and archived online webinars and self-paced readings

The Academic Integrity Series: Urgent and Emerging Topics created a space for timely and provocative discussion around issues related to academic integrity in post-secondary education. Experts from UCalgary and across the country offered insights on trending topics, like counterfeit credentials, contract cheating and equity, that will affect educators, policy makers and higher education professionals for years to come.

Explore Academic Integrity further.

Promoting Positive Learning Environments
45–60 minutes | Self-paced reading

In this resource, instructors are introduced to seven practical, evidence‑informed strategies for fostering positive learning environments that support student engagement, well-being and academic success across teaching modalities. The content is organized into seven interconnected strategies, each highlighting concrete ways instructors can intentionally shape inclusive, supportive and effective learning experiences.

Learning Module: Anti-Racism, EDI and Positionality in Teaching and Learning
2–3 hours | Asynchronous learning module

Racism has a long and complex history within our post-secondary education system. Access, opportunities and academic success have long been limited to certain racialized groups. Over time, significant strides have been made in this field, but many of these early practices remain embedded in the institutional fabric of modern-day universities. This online module addresses the history of racism, anti-racist pedagogy and strategies for anti-racist education. Participants in this learning module will increase their knowledge of racism, learn how to identify implicit biases and implement anti-racism strategies in the classroom.

Explore Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Anti-Racism further.

Indigenous Ways of Knowing Course Design
30 minutes | Self-paced reading

Incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing in course design involves providing all students with an equal opportunity to participate. Indigenous ways of knowing course design recognizes that some teaching practices and norms can lead students to disengage and acknowledges that some Western forms of assessment can be biased and fail to accurately measure students understanding of the course material. A course informed by Indigenous ways of knowing is an accessible, inclusive, safe, and successful place for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.

Explore Indigenous Ways of Knowing further.

The Story of ii’taa’poh’to’p 
1 hour | UCalgary community focus | Asynchronous online course

This course will introduce learners to the history and content of our Indigenous Strategy, ii’taa’poh’to’p, guiding our way forward ‘in a good way’ on the path towards reconciliation in response to the 2015 Final Report on Truth and Reconciliation. It includes the following topics: Territorial Acknowledgement, What is Reconciliation?, Our Journey, Guiding Principles, Conceptual and Cultural Models, Looking to the Future, and Resources.

Visit the HR website (halfway down the page) to register and learn more.

Beginning the Journey Towards Reconciliation
3 hours | Asynchronous online course

This course provides a basic introductory level overview of the history and diversity of Indigenous people in Canada. The topics covered in this session provide information on terminology related to Indigenous peoples and the concept of reconciliation, explore common misconceptions, and offer an opportunity for participants to learn more about and consider the effects of colonization and the impact of residential schools.

Visit the HR website (halfway down the page) to register and learn more.

Academic Staff Certificate in University Teaching and Learning 
34–36 hours per course | Four courses through the academic year

The Academic Staff Certificate in University Teaching and Learning provides you with opportunities to develop research-informed and scholarly teaching expertise, reflect on your practice and build your teaching dossier. Inspired by Kenny et al.’s (2017) Teaching Expertise Framework in Postsecondary Education, the certificate courses recognize that university teaching is complex and multi-faceted, and that teaching expertise is developed through an ongoing learning process that continues over time (Hendry & Dean, 2002; Kreber, 2002).

In each course, you’ll become part of a cohort of scholars as you develop skills and confidence in supporting student learning and engagement. You’ll also document your understanding of teaching and learning into a robust dossier that reflects your evolving experience, goals and skills. This program is accredited by the Educational Developers’ Caucus of the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.

Explore key concepts further: Designing Learning, Educational Leadership and Mentorship, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Teaching Dossiers

Learning Module: Developing Your Teaching Dossier
2–4 hours | Asynchronous learning module

Developing a teaching dossier can be a transformative experience as it provides the opportunity to reflect upon, explore, and document your experiences, philosophy, approaches, and effectiveness. This module has been designed to guide you through the reflective and transformative process outlined in the  D-O-S-S-I-E-R Model: Develop your dossier; Organize, prepare and identify your purpose; State your teaching philosophy statement; Situate your teaching context; Identify your teaching approaches; Exhibit selected evidence of effectiveness and accomplishments; and Review, reflect and summarize your dossier including future goals for growth and development.

Explore Teaching Dossier resources further.

Teaching and Learning Wellness Framework 
20 minutes | Self-paced reading

In this document you will find questions to consider and potential strategies to support student wellness in relation to policies and values, academic expectations, learning environments and experiences, student assessment, and reflection and resilience.

Explore Mental Health and Wellness further.

Self-compassion in the Classroom: Three things you can do in five minutes
10 minutes | Self-paced reading

Self-compassion offers a powerful antidote to the inner critic. Learn how you can use compassion to support your own personal development and equip students to take on the challenges of learning. There are few places in greater need of self-compassion than the academic realm.

Explore Mental Health and Wellness further.