Michele Jacobsen

Google NotebookLM allows you to convert uploaded materials (papers, articles, etc) into engaging podcasts with a click of a button. I tried it tonight with The Globe and Mail article called " How a popular professor brings classroom lessons to life" (google the title as I cannot attach it here). The professor is our own Peter Tsigaris from Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics, Thompson Rivers University . Google NotebookLM converted a pdf version of this article into an amazing podcast, which you can listen to in the Google drive below. Keep in mind that the podcast hosts are not real people, they are AI generated within a matter of minutes. Unbelievable!

23

5 Comments

#ScarboroughCharter — There are too few Black scholars | Deborah MacLatchy is president and vice-chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University. Vivek Goel is University of Waterloo president and vice-chancellor | Waterloo Region Record, Friday, May 3, 2024. “Canada’s post-secondary sector does not reflect the diversity of our country — particularly when it comes to Black academics. Only 2.3 per cent of the senior leaders at Canada’s universities are Black despite 4.3 per cent of the Canadian population identifying as Black. In 2023, a report for the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council found that the level of Black scholars’ participation in its programs is under-representative and that rates are even lower in science, health and technology. The same report notes only 1.96 per cent of Canada research chairs in all sectors are held by Black-identifying individuals.” “Presidents of Waterloo and Laurier universities write that post-secondary institutions and society benefit when we allow diverse voices to enrich our teaching, learning, research and service.”

61

4 Comments

Breaking news at Ontario Tech University! The Tech with a Conscience campaign has officially launched. This campaign embodies our belief that technology should be leveraged as a tool to uplift humanity, and a force for good and positive change. Watch the #TechWithAConscience vision come to life and learn more about the campaign!

58

11 Comments

The intersection between academic freedom and accessibility in teaching is dynamic, and constantly evolving. How we relate to disability, accessibility and ableism in higher education is key to this conversation - looking forward to contributing to this important panel discussion!

5

Check this interesting CBC clip on the Value of a University Degree and see whether you can spot me in it (LOL) https://lnkd.in/eXR3_isG

10

The ECD workshops help leaders to foster a culture of empathy and understanding. Facilitated by a top Canadian certified ECD consultant, these sessions are designed to enhance leadership skills uniquely. 👉LEARN MORE: https://lnkd.in/g-UG3wBV #ECDWorkshops #EmotionalIntelligence #ChangeManagement #Leadership #ECD #EmotionalCulture

4

Big changes to post-secondary universities and colleges are coming. Rolling back of humanities and social sciences will push liberal arts schools to the brink of closure. In the meantime, acceptance into competitive average programs will become so untenable that we will start to see pre-requisite inflation to the point where you’ll need near-perfect grades to enter the most basic programs. All the while, supports and services will be reduced so that students will need to fork out even more money for private supports - if they can even find them. If you value college, university, and trades education (both public and private) then now is the time to contact your MLA and MP. Otherwise, changes will be made without your input. https://lnkd.in/gss6eiXW

27

1 Comment

Thousands of University of Toronto students have benefited from the Embedded Ethics Education Initiative (E3I), a collaborative venture between the department of computer science and the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society (SRI) to integrate ethics modules into undergraduate computer science courses. E3I is already instigating a culture change through its three principles: 1) teach students how—not what—to think; 2) encourage ethics-informed design choices as a design principle; and 3) make discussions safe, not personal. https://lnkd.in/gyM29cdG

11

2 Comments

📢 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! 📢 The CPD office at McMaster University is excited to present Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigenous Reconciliation (EDI-IR): Foundations and Reflections 🌟 #EDIIR Dive into our self-paced, self-directed program on an asynchronous online platform, and thoroughly understand equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenous Reconciliation (EDI-IR) concepts to contextualize them to your own work. Throughout this material, you will be asked to explore foundational EDI-IR concepts and reflect upon how these concepts apply to your personal and professional self-identity. Learning Objectives: At the end of this course, you will be able to: ✨ Describe the basic concepts and principles associated with Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigenous Reconciliation. ✨ Explore an introduction to the major themes of Human Rights, Bias, Racism, Indigenous Perspectives and Reconciliation, Gender and Sex Bias, and Accessibility. ✨ Reflect on ways in which these thematic areas impact you and others in your personal and professional contexts. 🖥️ Register and view the full details, including fees at bit.ly/maccpd-edi-ir A certificate of completion will be issued after you complete and submit all required tasks. This EDI-IR course was developed in the McMaster Faculty of Health Sciences’ Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigenous Reconciliation Advisory Committee (EDI-IR AC). This work was completed by a subcommittee of the EDI-IR AC, with co-leads Drs. Clare Wallner and Anne Wong. #mcmasteruniversity #inclusiveeducation #diversity #equity #indigenousreconciliation #selfpacedlearning

8

2 Comments

I facilitated another workshop today for the folks who teach Science at UNB. This time, our topic was student engagement. We discussed how both value and expectancy affect motivation, and how a lack of engagement can manifest differently depending on its root(s). If you 're interested in this, I highly recommend the chapter about motivation in How Learning Works: 8 Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching, by Lovett et al. (the 1st edition had 7 principles and was by Ambrose et al.) We had good discussions, but I need to figure out how to get more people involved.

5

👏🏾 Good to see upcoming forums on polarization, finding common ground, building social cohesion, creating equitable futures in Calgary and Ottawa. These initiatives reinforce my work both as vice provost and associate vp research EDI, on the Pluralism Initiative at University of Calgary https://lnkd.in/gqdxKdHC The Courageous Conversations “Together” Series is about bridging divides https://lnkd.in/gBtyZKXf In a hyper-diverse world, we must address why difference is feared and fuels xenophobia towards immigrants and shapes some of the pushback against equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility. The misconception of equitable inclusion as “woke” (Black folks originally used expression to mean be alert, informed, aware) is harmful. So are misperceptions about diversity and excellence https://lnkd.in/gSVSbQgn Pluralism, especially epistemic pluralism and epistemic humility, is vital to helping us navigate polarization. We need equitable inclusion now more than ever and it requires courage to confront misinformation, to cultivate de-polarization, promote fairness and equitable inclusion. Early in my career I was fortunate to be on “The Project on Trends,” which was ignited in July 1996 when then Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet, the Honourable Jocelyne Bourgon, P.C., O.C., (and later Mel Cappe) established the future-focused Policy Research Initiative (PRI). The PRI and Trends Project had a policy-revelant mandate to develop a research strategy to prepare Canada for the public policy challenges of the new millennium. There were 8 diverse pan-Canadian teams examining grand challenges—including globalization, North American integration, multiple centres of power, aging/demography, among others—that would face Canada in this millennium. The globalization team, of which I was a part, tackled social cohesion. The collab between SSHRC-CRSH and the Privy Council featured joint round tables with multi-generational academics and ministers, and generated policy papers, journal articles, books, etc. We need such future-focused policy relevant collaborations now. We need more accessible public forums to engage Canadians in the issues of our time. Good to see these sessions: —19 Nov: Finding Common Ground Addressing hate and racism in Canada Spotlight on: Social Cohesion In Polarized Times. Tues, No 19, 2024: 12:30pm-5:00pm. —Ottawa, Mar 2025: Finding Common Ground. Spotlight on: Driving change in racism, discrimination and exclusion at the policy level. —Calgary, June 2025: Finding Common Ground. Spotlight on: Reconciliation and anti-racism in a changing region https://lnkd.in/g2zVC26R PRI background William D Coleman. “The Project on Trends,” Canadian Public Policy /Analyse de Politiques, Vol26, Supplement: The Trends Project (Aug. 2000), p. S1-S14 (14 pg) https://lnkd.in/gwdqX5Fn Jane Jenson. Mapping Social Cohésion: Thé State of Canadian Research, Canadian Policy Research Network, 1998, https://lnkd.in/gT9gxvT6

16

2 Comments

Episode 5 - What are the misconceptions about assessment and what can be done about them? In this video, Professors Christopher DeLuca (Queen’s University, Canada), Anil Kanjee (Tshwane University, South Africa), Leslie Rutkowski (Indiana University, USA) and Daisy Christodoulou (No More Marking, England) tell us what they have learned about this. https://lnkd.in/ezueStMa 

47

An important read about the value of social science and humanities research in solving big problems.

13

Tomorrow at 1pmET, I'll be presenting as part of the University of Ottawa's Institute for Science, Society and Policy on Inclusive Innovation In this virtual session we will focus on how the public (and the role of publics) plays an essential role in flipping open black box lids through structures of public participation in AI systems decision making from cradle to grave. We explore the importance of always seeing AI systems as socio-technical and socio-political technical systems. Like previous sessions we will explore the different ways in which individuals are thinking about how to blow-up these black boxes with a view towards diversity, inclusion, belonging and justice. This may involve extending XAI practices to wider contexts and systems, or entirely different approaches and tactics that are more participatory or holistic in nature. The zoom link to register is at https://lnkd.in/ejpr9G9h.

20

3 Comments

Experiential Education at its best. Kudos to the entire Seneca Works team for your unwavering commitment to student success! Read the full article to learn more about how Seneca is empowering our students and shaping the future of education. #StudentSuccess #CareerReadiness #Innovation #ExperientialLearning #Entrepreneurship Seneca Business Seneca School of Hospitality and Tourism

7

Earth Day Announcement!! Following a year of important conversations with students, staff, faculty and community partners, The University of Lethbridge is proud to share our inaugural Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan. As a research-intensive university, our capacity for innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship is grounded in the strengths and courage to confront the greatest challenges of our time. The Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan builds upon a strong tradition of constructing and operating with sustainability as a core principle. We’ve set a requirement for all new buildings to be, at minimum, LEED Gold certified and by upgrading our central heating and cooling plant, we realized a reduction of 1000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. We already use non-potable water for all groundskeeping activities and are implementing water conservation strategies in respect of ongoing drought conditions in our region. In addition, we consistently use our natural landscapes as an extension of our classrooms and to enhance research experiences. Collectively, we have created a vision for campus sustainability and action under three themes: Empower Action, Leverage Efficiency and Innovation, and Sustain Biodiversity. Through these themes, the University of Lethbridge is committed to the principles of the Buffalo Treaty and the Iniskim Governance Process. We will work together with community partners to create, model and share ideas and innovations that benefit our environmental, economic and socio-cultural sustainability. #sustainability #EarthDay2024 #EarthAction #yql https://lnkd.in/gWCPTJVg

24

3 Comments

Scroll down into this blog for the piece on #efficiency in #HigherEd: https://lnkd.in/gQ3HkMPt "Two other points here. First: the big way that American institutions have been reducing costs in the past decade or so is through investment in technology solutions. Canadian institutions have been slow to do that: people who understand this stuff better than I do suggest that Canadian institutions are maybe a decade behind our American counterparts in using technology in areas like student services. Some work on how to roll new technology out quickly and efficiently would be welcome to many."

27

**Hot off the press!** Before moving to Canada in 2018, I spent almost a decade understanding, experimenting and playing around with social innovation models in the Global South with outstanding folks like Tehniyat Khan... this paper, which I could not have written without Ross Velure Roholt, Jennifer Catalano and Sean Geobey, helps tell the story of an upside-down, student-led approach to social innovation at an institution of higher education. Tons of learnings in it for the social innovation space in Canada and beyond - we look forward to feedback from academics and practitioners alike! Abstract: "Experts commonly assert that social innovation is best taught outside of higher education, given that higher education institutions are prone to rigidity traps. Opposing research suggests that social innovation can flourish within institutions of higher education when they embrace new ways of teaching and learning. Using a student-initiated and led Social Innovation Organization (SIO) at a university in South Asia as a case study, this article considers how social innovation education might emerge from and take root within institutions of higher education and what the consequences are for social relations, power structures, and institutional practices." Special thanks to Laurie Mook and the editorial team at CJNSER (https://lnkd.in/gaZvX_mb) for all their support! https://lnkd.in/gaVdvMHh

104

35 Comments