Session+Descriptions+2006

=**Session Descriptions – Focus on Teaching – Spring 2006**=

When you’re interacting with your students do you ever feel like RipVan Winkel whose just woken up from a long sleep and found “he’s just not in Kansas anymore?” Is it possible that the millennial student has specific characteristics that impact their behaviours and attitudes in the learning environment? Come to this session to discuss defining characteristics of the millennial student and to explore, through role-playing, constructive strategies for facilitating learning and communication that promote academic and professional success. Brian Dormer is a Registered Massage Therapist who has been practicing and teaching for 10 years. Brian is currently involved in the adult teaching degree program at Brock University. He has previously taught lifestyle management and is a certified fitness appraiser.
 * Title:** Characteristics of Millennial Students
 * Facilitator:** Brian Dormer
 * Format:** Workshop and Role plays
 * Description:**
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 * Bio**:

Essential employability skills—communication, numeracy, critical thinking and problem solving, information management, interpersonal, and personal—are Ministry-mandated elements of the Ontario college curriculum. However, in our program and course curricula, we tend to focus more on mastery of content and less on skill development. But we do not necessarily have to sacrifice content to embed skills in our courses. This roundtable/workshop will show you a model for embedding and assessing essential skills in your course(s). Participants should bring a course outline or syllabus that they can use as a vehicle for embedding essential skills. William MacKenzie has been at Georgian since 1983 (still living!) and has taught many different subjects as well as coordinating in H&T for 7 years. He is currently in the Liberal Arts department and is teaching an online course called Same-Sex Issues (hair-raising at times but gratifying). William is very interested in teaching and learning issues.
 * Title**: Embedding Essential Skills in your Course
 * Facilitator**: William MacKenzie
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Postsecondary education is a period in life where the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours of many students are being challenged. This can sometimes result in comments and outbursts that make both the teacher and the learning environment uncomfortable. In this session, participants will begin by exploring connections between various human development theories and students’ behaviours and attitudes. This in turn will lead to a discussion about how various departments within the college can work collaboratively to help students cope constructively with issues related to developmental processes. Lorri McLeod has been with Georgian College for almost 6 years originally working with 'at-risk' youth and students with disabilities, teaching in General Education and currently as a full-time Learning Strategist. Lorri has recently completed her Master of Arts in Adult Education. Christina Meredith is the Learning Strategist working with the Career and Student Success team providing confidential assistance to students in the development and practice of efficient study techniques, effective learning methods, and high-level thinking skills. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) Degree in Sociology with a Major in Women's Studies from Bishop's University and a Master of Arts Degree in Sociology.
 * Title:** Human Development and College Learning: What do you mean, “It’s not all about me?”
 * Facilitators:** Christina Meredith and Lorri McLeod
 * Description:**
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 * Bios**:

Everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the power of the world always works in circles. The earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours. The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does the same, and both are round. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were. The life of a person is a circle from childhood to childhood. - Black Elk This interactive workshop will bring awareness to the importance of a holistic approach to planning, using the medicine wheel concept. We will generate practical ideas related to the physical, social, spiritual and mental well being of our learners. This will lead into a discussion about First Nations learning styles and may answer some questions about the First Nations students in your classroom. Aanni, my name is Cindy Hare. I am the Program Co-ordinator and Full Time Faculty in the Native Community and Social Development Program at Georgian College. I am from M'Chigeeng and Temegami First Nation. It is important to incorporate my Anishnaabe cultural teachings, knowledge and experiences with the students in the classroom as well as people I work with. I would like to share those insights with fellow educators who are interested in learning about a different culture and worldview and how it relates to teaching and learning.
 * Title:** Teaching Holistically from a First Nation’s Perspective (Repeat from 2005 due to popular demand)
 * Facilitator:** Cindy Hare
 * Format:** Small Group Discussion
 * Description:**
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 * Bio**:

One of the main advantages in teaching in a community college is that many courses and subjects lend themselves to providing students with the opportunity to learn and practice practical skills in real or simulated workplace environments and situations. However, it can be very challenging to provide this same type of “real world” relevance in some subjects, especially those that are more theory or issue-based, or are not taught in a lab, studio or shop environment. This hands-on workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to design, discuss and incorporate experiential learning projects that actively engage students in the learning process by integrating current issues and events with theoretical knowledge. Participants will be provided with a step-by-step process, an example and guidance, as well as an opportunity to discuss the challenges of engaging learners within their area of teaching. George Mashinter began teaching at Georgian College in 1992 and has taught a variety of courses in different program areas. He currently teaches for the School of Design and Visual Arts and the Laurentian University program. He has a Master of Arts in education.
 * Title: “**Experience is the Best Teacher”
 * Facilitator:** George Mashinter
 * Format:** Workshop
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 * Bio**

Are the research results in your courses less that "stellar"? Come to this chocolate- themed session to unwrap challenges and strategies related to the research process. Learn how you can work collaboratively with faculty librarians to support students in their research efforts and more effectively integrate information literacy skills into assignments.
 * Title:** Information Literacy Skill Development
 * Facilitators:** Karen Halliday and Vicki MacMillan
 * Format:** Workshop
 * Description:**
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Karen Halliday completed her Master's Degree in Library and Information Studies from Dalhousie University in 1994. Karen has worked as a librarian with the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and the Newfoundland & Labrador Provincial Government. Karen has also managed the theological library in the Salvation Army College for Officer Training. In Barrie, Karen worked in a joint position as a Health Sciences Librarian at the Royal Victoria Hospital and in Georgian College. In 2003, Karen began working full time at Georgian College where she enjoys collaborating with faculty in Health Sciences programs to integrate information literacy. Vicki MacMillan is a recent graduate of Library and Information Science at UWO and is now the Liberal Arts and University Studies Librarian for Georgian College. Passionate about promoting and teaching Information Literacy skills to both students and faculty, Vicki brings a positive attitude and enthusiasm from the Library.
 * Bios**

//The things we have to learn before we do them, we learn by doing them. - Aristotle// Experiential Education allows the learner to obtain a more genuine, long lasting understanding of a phenomenon. As such, experiential learning is a teaching technique that can be applied in virtually any area or discipline. In this session, the merits of Experiential Learning are demonstrated through three in class activities, each followed by an interactive discussion and comparison of observations. Focusing on the practical rather than the technical aspects of learning, this session is intended to reinforce the merits of such activities and reinvigorate the instructor's quest for meaningful and memorable lesson plans. Jeff Walther has had 25 plus years in Radio and Television as a broadcaster and as a sales and marketing consultant. Jeff has taught on a part time basis at Humber and Georgian Colleges since 1991 until accepting his current position as Coordinator of the Advertising Program in 2003. Amy Walther completed her MA in Clinical Psychology with specializations in Neurology and Educational Psychology from Queens’ University. She then worked in cognitive rehabilitation for patients with brain injuries.at Kingston General Hospital. A stint with Kingston-Frontenac School Board confirmed Amy’s love of teaching which led her back to Barrie and Georgian College where she has been teaching Social Science courses for the past 5 years.
 * Title:** Live it, Learn it
 * Facilitators:** Amy Walther-Ford and Jeff Walther
 * Format:** Workshop
 * Description:**
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 * Bios**

This session will be delivered in an open forum style allowing participants to set an agenda. The attendees will see demonstrations, learn about strategies and share experiences concerning Bb and their teaching practice. Bob Marchessault is an instructional designer working at Georgian's Centre for Teaching & Learning. He has a MA from OISE where he researched new emerging online learning technologies. Bob consults with faculty as they develop strategies for blending teaching technologies with their practice. He helps to design online courses and acts as a facilitator for workshops.
 * Title:** Using Blackboard to Enhance Learning
 * Facilitator:** Bob Marchessault
 * Format:** Workshop
 * Description**
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 * Title:** Teaching with Media in the Post-modern World (or “the Problems with PowerPoint”)
 * Facilitator:** Anita Arvast
 * Facilitator:** Anita Arvast

Using *post-modernist/ post-structuralist theorists -- Michel Foucault and Stephen Ball -- as backdrop to an understanding of education in the 21st Century, come and explore how our media-classrooms can help move our teaching from sleepy slides to stimulating stratospheres. Invite your students to empower their own learning through multiple-sensory stimulants. Anita Arvast is completing a Ph.D. in Education with OISE/University of Toronto in Critical Theory and Discourse in Curriculum Development and Renewal in Community Colleges. She teaches and coordinates in degree studies as well as the School of Design and Visual Art, where she has also served as curriculum coach, administrator, planner and policy developer. She teaches spinning at the gym and rides her scooter when the sun is shining. Last year, she completed her first Adventure Race and has vowed to do this again before she dies. Her vices include Mike & Ike candies and drinking Diet Coke for breakfast.
 * Description:**
 * Don’t know what post-modernism/post-structuralism is? Cool. Neither do we. Come and play anyway.
 * Bio:**

Disruptive talking, difficulty connecting with students, chronic lateness, lack of participation, challenges to classroom structure, hostility - do any of these issues interfere with the learning in your classroom? Developing and maintaining a positive learning environment is a foundation for effective teaching. Given the complexity of the learning environment and all the factors that influence this environment, there are no magical solutions to achieving this goal. However, in this session we will explore some possible strategies - preventative, in the moment, and follow-up - that may help you move forward in your approach to managing the learning environment.
 * Title:** Managing Classroom Interactions
 * Facilitators:** Lynne Johnson-Murphy and Marie Rutherford
 * Description:**
 * Description:**

Marie Rutherford has 13 years teaching experience joining Georgian College in 2000 in the Office Administration program. Prior to teaching she enjoyed a community based nursing and administrative career. Marie promotes a learner centered environment and encourages students to take a proactive role in their learning experiences.
 * Bios:**






 * Title**: Cooperative Learning in the Classroom
 * Facilitator**: Anne-Marie McAllister
 * Format:**

Would you like learn strategies to embed small group activities into your instruction in a way that is positive and productive? Come out to this interactive workshop and learn the five basic elements of cooperative/collaborative learning, which can serve as a checklist to help you set up small group activities in the classroom so students are more likely to participate and experience success. This workshop is an introduction and you will learn techniques that you can implement right away. It will not address the many complex elements of “group projects”.
 * Description**:

Anne-Marie McAllister has been teaching part-time at Georgian since 1989. She is a kid at heart and believes that a classroom is an opportunity to build community and develop social skills while learning the content. She has presented at GLACIE for the past 4 years because of her passion for cooperative learning. Anne-Marie presently works in The Centre for Teaching and Learning as a workshop facilitator and is the self acclaimed Goddess of Inspiration.
 * Bio**:






 * Title**: Basic Skills in Conflict Resolution Training
 * Facilitator**: Steve McDonald

Are you curious about the topic of "Training in Conflict Resolution Skills?" Whether you are curious about conflict resolution skills themselves, or feel that you are familiar with this, but would like some ideas on training others in such skills, this workshop could be for you. We will look over some rudiments of conflict resolution theory, as well as enjoy some participatory exercises to help us practice our training skills in this area.
 * Description**:

Steve McDonald has been on faculty at Georgian College for fourteen years. He is now a professor full time with the Institute for University Partnerships and Advanced Studies, at Georgian College, where he teaches Sociology & Social Work. He is currently pursuing doctoral level studies in Social Work. Other work experiences include inner city School Social Work, and refugee aid work in Africa with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Current interests outside the college include peacekeeper training in conflict resolution, and training of human rights activists regarding the UN human rights conventions. Steve has been married for twenty five years and is the proud father of three daughters.
 * Bio**:






 * Title**: Teaching Holistically from an International Perspective
 * Facilitators**: Andrew Elsdon and Nick O’Connell

Who is attending Georgian and from where? What are they studying? How might this affect your classrooms? Diversity is a rapidly-growing dimension of educational institutions and involves both “domestic” and international students. Having an international perspective that addresses diversity can present both opportunities and challenges in our classrooms. Join us in an interactive session that can help you collect some new ideas and tools to better understand and manage the issues related to our international students.
 * Description**:

Andrew Elsdon joined Georgian College in 1997 on a part-time teaching basis and quickly rolled into fulltime teaching hours for the Ski Resort Operations program. The transition from ski hill to classroom seemed to be a natural progression. Some of his facilitated courses include Business, Marketing, Finance, Service Delivery, Snow School Management, and Small Business Entrepreneurship. In 2004, Andrew started with Georgian’s International Education and Training Department as a marketer/recruiter. Presently, he is working on international business development & recruiting in the United States and Central & South America.
 * Bios**:

Nick O’Connell is originally from Ireland, but has spent the last 12 years living and working in both Australia and New Zealand. He immigrated to Canada in 2002 and began working as an Assistant International Student Adviser with the International Centre in January of 2005 after completing a Business Administration program at the college. He has spent a significant amount of time traveling in Asia and South East Asia.