DX in Faculty Development and GenAI

Resources for Change

The Technology and Education Seminar and Showcase (TESS) 2024 program features a panel discussion bringing together insights from leaders across Ontario universities as they respond to the impacts of generative AI.

Each panelist from the Ontario University Council on eLearning (OUCeL) has been asked to share a resource that their institution has developed that can be adapted or adopted by others in the higher education community. Links to these resources include the following:

The panel includes:

  • Nick Baker, Director, Office of Open Learning, University of Windsor
  • Patrick T. Maher, Professor, School of Physical and Health Education, Nipissing University
  • Erin Aspenlieder, Special Advisor to the Provost on Generative AI, Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), McMaster University
  • Jordan Holmes, Senior Manager, Teaching, Learning and Technology, Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation, University of Toronto

Moderator: Laurie Harrison, Director, Digital Learning Innovation, University of Toronto

Image of Gen AI related components impacting teaching and learning.

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Unlock the Power of AI: Upcoming Webinar Series for UofT Staff

people using ai on computersWe are excited to invite the IT@UofT community and all University of Toronto staff to the upcoming Thursday@3 webinar series, hosted by ITS. This series will focus on the transformative topic of generative AI, offering a look at how this emerging technology is shaping various aspects of our work and the university at large. 

Each session will feature a speaker from across the university to discuss the impact of generative AI from diverse angles, including transforming access to information, mitigating biases within Generative AI systems and shaping the future of education. Participants will gain valuable insights into both the opportunities and challenges that come with integrating AI into our workflows and services. 

Whether you are experienced or just starting to explore AI, this series offers something for everyone.  

Why Attend? 

  • Learn about the latest advancements in generative AI and how they apply to your role. 
  • Explore practical case studies on the use of AI across the university. 
  • Engage with your peers in interactive Q&A sessions. 
  • Stay informed about the future of AI in higher education and IT services. 

These sessions are a unique opportunity to learn how AI can enhance our work at ITS and contribute to broader institutional goals. Stay ahead of the curve and join us to explore the future of AI in the university setting.

Full Details and Registration at https://its.utoronto.ca/gen-ai-series/ 

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[New] Strategies for effective online and hybrid course design resource page

Spring is here and summer courses are about to begin at U of T. Students will find that many undergraduate summer courses are moving online to meet their learning needs. These courses provide: 

  • Flexibility, allowing students to study at their own pace and schedule, making it easier to balance other commitments like work, internships and family. 
  • Accessibility, allowing students to access high-quality education regardless of their geographical location.  

Instructors new to teaching online can visit our strategies for effective online and hybrid course design resource page where we have collected links to resources with expert tips, proven strategies, and selected resources to navigate teaching and learning online with confidence.  You will find support for planning, design and delivery of online and hybrid courses that you can bookmark as a handy reference, or you can choose downloadable versions that can be shared with colleagues, TA’s and support staff. 

Interested in seeing which courses are available online? 

Visit the University of Toronto timetable builder. 

Step 1, select the faculty/division(s) and summer session(s) you are interested in viewing. 

Step 2, select “show more filters” and then select the delivery mode(s) for hybrid, online, synchronous and/or asynchronous. 

A list of online and hybrid courses will be displayed.  

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2023 MOOC Impact Report

Digital Learning Innovation coordinates the University of Toronto’s Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) initiative. Our MOOC activity remains strong and for our 2023 report we look at the impact MOOCs have had at UofT and beyond.  

Read the full 2023 MOOC Impact Report for more on our MOOC reach and how our offerings are meeting our institutional goals for MOOC programming.

In the report we discuss our partnership with Alumni Relations to provide MOOCs specifically for UofT alumni and friends. In this year’s offering, participants were invited to embark on a transformative journey with The Arts & Science of Relationships: Human Needs course. Learners are exploring the intricate forces shaping human behavior and relationships through psychology, sociology, and anthropology. While the course will wrap up shortly, over 3000 unique learners are currently participating in the course. 

Online Learning Icon

One new area of exploration is the potential for MOOCs to provide on-demand continuing professional education (CPE) credits for professional development. We currently have three courses that offer CPE credits and two more are in development. We are encouraged to see that these MOOC offerings still provide free access to content to those who wish, while providing flexible learning opportunities for those looking for certification to extend their professional education.  

You can read more about MOOCs and other open educational resources and activity on our Open UToronto website. 

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Exploring Ethical and Equitable Educational Tech Procurement

Thursday, November 23Graphic showing Game pieces of different colours in the words inclusivity on small blocks.
3:00 – 4:00 pm

Registration and Information

Join the IT@UofT community at this upcoming online event. To broaden our understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion in our daily work, along with considerations such as indigenization, decolonization, and sustainability, we recognize the need to focus on less visible, yet highly impactful areas and processes. This webinar will delve into the implications of educational technology procurement, a key part of the institutional framework, through which students, staff, and faculty interact. Decisions regarding major technology systems carry significant long-term financial and cultural consequences, impacting resources during and beyond the procurement and implementation phases. The University of Windsor’s Office of Open Learning will share outcomes of a project exploring strategies to guide us in making ethical, equitable, and sustainable decisions when procuring technologies. Join us for a presentation by the project leads, discussing what they have learned about intersections of technology, ethics, and equity in educational tech procurement. This event is part of an ongoing program of activities coordinated by the IT@UofT Inclusivity Working Group.

Presenters: 

Ashlyne O’Neil – Learning Specialist, Office of Open Learning, University of Windsor

Nick Baker – Director, Office of Open Learning, University of Windsor

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Host: Laurie Harrison – Director, Digital Learning Innovation, University of Toronto

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Spotlight on the Future of Digital Learning

A collaborative initiative exploring opportunities for digital learning in a post-COVID world was recently undertaken by four divisions of the University of Toronto. A new report on this year-long LEAF-funded project draws on input from the community and will serve as an important resource to inform future directions in this domain.

This integrated report summarizing the project outcomes and highlighting potential strategic actions to support digital learning has been published on the Office of the Vice-Provost, Innovations in Undergraduate Education website under Strategic Priorities: Digital Learning along with a form providing an opportunity for community comment.

Read the Executive Summary or the Full Report – LEAF+ Digital Learning Report – 2023.

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eCampusOntario TESS Conference 2023: Call for Proposals

TESS Conference logoThis year the eCampusOntario Technology and Education Seminar and Showcase (TESS) Conference will be taking place on November 1 and 2, 2023. The call for presentation proposals on the theme of Supporting the Digitally Empowered Learner has just been released with a deadline of June 5. Conference content tracks include:

  • Experiential Learning
  • Transformative Technology
  • The Lifelong Learner
  • The Digital Balance

Visit the eCampusOntario site for information on the TESS conference and to submit your proposal

This annual event, held in-person in downtown Toronto, provides a great opportunity to connect with colleagues and share ideas on new developments in digital learning. Consider submitting a proposal to present, or mark your calendar and plan to attend next fall.

 

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Ontario Exchange (OEX) support for virtual learning projects

Application Deadline: May 19, 2023

eCampusOntario’s Ontario Exchange (OEX) matches postsecondary institutions with service providers with expertise in virtual learning and content creation services, such as instructional designers, multimedia developers, graphic artists, video specialists, accessibility consultants, etc. Recently an application window was announced for the “Funded Support” stream. Note that funding is not provided to the university applicant, but rather paid to the service provider vetted by eCampusOntario to complete work on your project. 

University of Toronto applicants require the support of the Office of the Vice-Provost Innovations in Undergraduate Education (VPIUE) as the “signing authority” on the submission form. Please contact digital.learning@utoronto.ca for consultation and to arrange for institutional endorsement.

OEX Funded Support

  • Using funding provided by the Government of Ontario’s Virtual Learning Strategy mandate, Ontario Exchange will cover the cost of any approved projects in the funded support stream up to $50,000. Service providers contracted for selected projects will be paid directly by eCampusOntario.
  • Institutions can submit project applications through the Ontario Exchange website. Applications must be received by 5:00 pm on Friday, May 19, 2023. 

Support for Recent Graduates

  • eCampusOntario also has funding to support recent graduates* for a short-term post-graduate placement. If you have an existing or upcoming virtual learning project you can apply to receive $15,000 to support the employment of a recent graduate on the project.
  • Institutions can submit project applications to exchange@ecampusontario.ca with the subject line “Support for Recent Graduate Project Application”. Applications must be received by 5:00pm on Friday, May 19, 2023. 

*Recent graduates are defined as those who have graduated within the prior 24-months of June 1, 2023.

For more information visit the eCampusOntario OEX FAQ page for a preview of application questions and to learn more about the program.

Contact digital.learning@utoronto.ca for information or consultation on University of Toronto applications.

Graphical depiction of web content creation.

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Flexible Learning Initiative (FLI) – New Cohort for 2023

The Flexible Learning Initiative (FLI) program will continue in 2023. Through this program the Vice-Provost, Innovations in Undergraduate Education provides funding to support instructors in the development of fully online or hybrid undergraduate courses. The program aims to increase the range of online learning opportunities at the University of Toronto while building capacity for innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Funding will be made available to teams of three instructors who will address a focus area of strategic importance to their discipline, department and/or division as they redesign a course for fully online or hybrid delivery.

Funding Range: $6,000 per instructor with maximum of $18,000 per team of 3 instructors

Funding Duration: 1 year

For more information follow the link above, or contact digital.learning@utoronto.ca.

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Data Driven Design: Quercus Analytics (D3:QA) Showcase: Making Meaning

When: Friday, October 28, 2022 at 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM  
Where: Online (Teams)
Register for this event

Are you interested in learning how instructor-accessed Quercus course data can be used to inform redesign decisions aimed at improving engagement and learner experience? Please join us for a showcase of results from a group of pioneering instructors who have been participating in the D3:QA initiative during the past academic year.   

All members of the D3:QA cohort were supported in data analysis of available Quercus Analytics exports and log files to better understand student activity patterns in Winter 2022 courses. In this showcase event, instructors from across divisions will share their path of inquiry and adaptable examples of Quercus data reports used to advance instructional design and implementation processes.   

Example topics include: 

  • Active learning: Effectiveness of scientific literacy and communication modules in a STEM course  
  • Strategic design: Assessing impact of scaffolded supplementary content resources  
  • Pinpointing learner hotspots: A closer look at formative assessment results  

Join us to learn more! 

Instructor presenters: 

  • Prof. Stavroula Andreopoulos (Temerty Faculty of Medicine)  
  • Asst. Prof. Naomi Levy-Strumpf (Faculty of Arts and Science – Human Biology)  
  • Asst. Prof. Naomi Steenhof (Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy)  
  • Asst. Prof. Chirag Variawa (Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering)  
  • Asst. Prof. Tingting Zhu (University of Toronto Mississauga – Geography, Geomatics and Environment)  
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