Indigenous Knowledge is often found outside of the traditional library collection. In welcoming Duncan as Knowledge Keeper, the Libraries hopes to bring Indigenous Knowledge and voices forward and showcase a different way of thinking about knowledge.  

Introducing Duncan Mercredi  

A prolific Cree and Métis poet, Duncan Mercredi was born and grew up in Misipawistik (Grand Rapids, Manitoba). At sixteen, he moved to Cranberry Portage, Manitoba, where he attended high school, and moved to Winnipeg shortly thereafter. In 2020, he became the second Poet Laureate of Winnipeg. In 2021, he won the Manitowapow Award at the Manitoba Book Awards.  

Duncan currently has six published poetry collections, and his forthcoming collection, Only the Scent of You Remained, will be launched at Mcnally Robinson on September 23 as part of the Winnipeg Writers Festival. All of Duncan’s currently published books are available for borrowing from UM Libraries. 

Available for consultation, discussion and classroom sessions 

Possessing an important poetic voice along with deep knowledge of storytelling, history, and current politics and policies, Duncan ponders what knowledge and libraries mean to all of us. A willing conversationalist, he can discuss topics ranging from the impact of hydroelectric projects on Indigenous communities, writing, two-eyed seeing, politics, censorship, and more.  

Duncan enjoys getting to know people in person and invites UM students, faculty, and staff to come to him with questions, concerns or topics for discussion. 

Duncan is available for consultation in the following ways:  

Writing consultations 

Book an hour-long consultation with Duncan on developing your creative voice in poetry, prose, or other forms of writing and publication. Book one session or multiple.  

Open to: UM students, faculty and staff  

Make an appointment 

Contact Duncan or set up an appointment to ask questions, share concerns, or discuss topics of interest, including library resources and materials. Make an individual appointment or with a group.  

Open to: UM students, faculty and staff 

Classroom sessions 

Duncan is available to speak to UM classes on a range of topics related to his writing, life experience, history and expertise.  

Faculty can contact Duncan to schedule a classroom session and develop the session topic.    

Open to: UM faculty and instructors 

The TLC helps participants:

• Increase competency in teaching and learning.
• Gain deeper understanding of evidence-based pedagogy.
• Understand the diverse needs of students.
• Earn a formal certificate recognizing their growth and development as educators.

As a reminder, all pre- and tenured faculty, instructors, sessional instructors, librarians and post-doctoral fellows can partake in the TLC’s mini-institutes and workshops, without being registered in the TLC program. Past attendance at workshops may also count toward certificate requirements for those who decide to enroll later. Our upcoming events for the TLC program include:

TLC Mini-Institute (Day 1) – Designing and Evaluating Assessment Strategies

This workshop will provide instructors with opportunities to design assessment strategies to support student learning. You will design formative and summative assessments and learn strategies for providing constructive feedback on students’ work. You will also have opportunities to evaluate the effectiveness of different assessment tools, such as holistic and analytic rubrics. Please have at hand a current course syllabus with learning objectives.

Register for the TLC Mini-Institute – Designing and Evaluating Assessment Strategies on Monday, May 12, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

TLC Mini-Institute (Day 2) – Strategies for Maintaining a Respectful Classroom Environment

As instructors, you may have experienced behaviour by your students that you felt was

disrespectful, rude, or disruptive. These can be challenging situations to deal with. This interactive workshop will focus on teaching strategies that foster and maintain respectful classroom behaviour.

Register for the TLC Mini-Institute – Strategies for Maintaining a Respectful Classroom Environment on Tuesday, May 13, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Please note:

• Teaching and Learning Certificate (TLC) program participants are required to sign up for both workshops in the Mini-Institute to fulfill the program requirements.
• The TLC Mini-Institute will return on August 18 and 19, 2025.
  • Register for the TLC Mini-Institute – Designing and Evaluating Assessment Strategies on Monday, August 18, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Register for the TLC Mini-Institute – Strategies for Maintaining a Respectful Classroom Environment on Tuesday, August 19, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

TLC Workshops

Select from this listing of workshops listed in date order.

Teaching Dossier (TLCN06)

Increasingly, university promotion and tenure committees are requiring a teaching dossier to document your development and achievements as an educator. This workshop looks at the requirements at the University of Manitoba for teaching dossiers and covers the basics of writing a Teaching Philosophy statement and creating a teaching dossier.

Register for Teaching Dossier (TLCN06) on Wednesday, May 14, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Reflective Practice (TLCN09)

John Dewey observed that, “We do not learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience.” To become a better teacher, it is necessary to reflect on what we do and why we do it – to ask ourselves, is what we do effective? In this workshop we will explore several models of self-reflection, including the Gibbs’ Model, as methods for engaging in a reflective practice. Participants can also share their own successes and struggles as they strive to become a better teacher.

Register for Reflective Practice (TLCN09) on Wednesday, May 14, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Developing Intercultural Teaching Competence (TLCN05)

Students and instructors bring their own culture into the teaching and learning contexts in which they inhabit. Similarly, every teaching and learning context is informed by and situated in institutional, regional, and national cultures. In this workshop, you’ll explore your own cultural attitudes, knowledge, and skills, and those of your learners and the environments you all find yourselves in. Then, you’ll apply this to your own teaching practices through elements of course design.

Register for Developing Intercultural Teaching Competence (TLCN05) on Thursday, May 15, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Navigating Challenging Student Situations (TLCN03)

As instructors, you may have experienced behaviour by your students that you felt was disrespectful, rude, or disruptive. These can be challenging situations to deal with. Staff from Student Advocacy and Case Management and the Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management will provide an overview of pertinent University policies and procedures to help you understand your rights and responsibilities as an instructor. This interactive workshop will provide you with strategies and tips for preventing and responding to these behaviours.

Register for Navigating Challenging Student Situations (TLCN03) on Thursday, May 15, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Universal Design for Learning (TLCN01)

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an orientation to teaching and learning that promotes greater student choice and agency in learning experiences, with the aim of reducing barriers to learning by providing multiple means of representation, engagement, and expression. In this workshop, participants will explore how UDL values intersect with their own teaching philosophies, identify barriers to learning for students with a range of needs, and (re)design course elements to adopt UDL guidelines in a way that is practical for instructors yet beneficial to learners.

Register for Universal Design for Learning (TLCN01) on Tuesday, May 20, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Self-Evaluation of Teaching Practice (TLCN10)

Feedback and evaluation of teaching are part of every teacher’s life. How do you make sense of the evaluative feedback you receive from SRI scores, daily classroom experiences, and student grades? This foundational workshop examines the theory and practice of evaluation and suggests practical strategies for integrating effective evaluative practices into your teaching. Please note that this workshop does not cover the design and creation of student assessments.

Register for Self-Evaluation of Teaching Practice (TLCN10) on Tuesday, May 20, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Mental Health in the Classroom: Responding to Students Demonstrating Mental Health Distress (TLCN07)

Young adults are highly susceptible to mental health problems. We know that most instructors encounter many students who are struggling with mental health issues that affect their academic performance, behaviour in the classroom, and interactions with teaching staff. Research also indicates that the incident rate and intensity of mental health problems experienced by students is increasing. These situations can be stressful, time-consuming, and potentially can involve risks to personal safety for the students and others. David Ness, the Director of the Student Counselling Centre at the University of Manitoba, will provide you with information about how to identify and respond effectively to student mental health issues, how to understand the factors that contribute to student distress, and how to access resources. This interactive workshop will involve case study material to apply your knowledge of risk assessment, response alternatives, and on- and off-campus resources.

Register for Mental Health in the Classroom: Responding to Students Demonstrating Mental Health Distress (TLCN07) on Wednesday, May 21, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Academic Integrity Teaching and Learning Strategies (TLCN04)

Do you want to promote academic integrity in your course, but you don’t know how to do this? In this workshop, we will discuss the meaning of academic integrity at the University of Manitoba, and how it relates to your teaching and learning environment (whether that be face-to-face, remote/online). We will discuss ways to implement teaching and assessment strategies that promote integrity that will allow you to focus on students’ learning and community building.

Resources for academic integrity education (e.g., syllabus statements, learning activities) that you can modify and incorporate into your courses will be shared.

Register for Academic Integrity Teaching and Learning Strategies (TLCN04) on Wednesday, May 21, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Teaching and Technology (TLCN02)

In this workshop, we will explore a framework for using technology in teaching and learning. Rather than a technology ‘how-to’ session, the focus will be on providing a method for evaluating technology that supports the goals of teaching and learning. We will also discuss the benefits and challenges of using technology in the classroom.

Register for Teaching and Technology (TLCN02) on Thursday, May 22, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Indigenous Knowledges (TLCN08)

This workshop introduces participants to Indigenous pedagogies by contextualizing Indigenous knowledges, discussing the importance of making space for Indigenous content and knowledge transmission in the academy, and providing participants with resources about the pedagogical significance of Indigenous knowledges.

Register for Indigenous Knowledges (TLCN08) on Thursday, May 22, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning will also be offering workshops TLCN01 through TLCN10 again in December, this time in an online format via Zoom.

Whether you’re just beginning your teaching career or looking to expand your toolkit, the Teaching and Learning Certificate provides the support, community, and practical knowledge needed to thrive as an educator at the University of Manitoba.

Experiential Learning Community of Practice Monthly Meeting: End of Year Reflection

Date and time: Tuesday, May 6, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Experiential Learning Community of Practice is a growing network of UM faculty, instructors, and staff passionate about experiential education.

Monthly meetings
Join our monthly meetings to build relationships with other Community of Practice members, explore best practices and innovations, and participate in engaging conversations.

End of Year Reflection
This is our last meeting for the 2024-2025 academic year. Join us to reflect on what we learned together this year and share your thoughts on what you’d like to see at the Experiential Learning Community of Practice next year!

Register for the End of Year Reflection

TLC Mini-Institute – Designing and Evaluating Assessment Strategies (TLCTS2, Day 1)

Date and time: Monday, May 12, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Lunch is not provided.

The Centre offers the one-and-a-half day TLC Mini-Institute every May and August. The workshops in the Mini-Institute are:

1. Designing and Evaluating Assessment Strategies
2. Strategies for Maintaining a Respectful Classroom Environment

The Mini-Institute is for Pre- and Tenured Faculty Members, Instructors, Sessional Instructors, Librarians, and Post-Doctoral Fellows. Participants can choose to sign up for each workshop separately or attend both.

This session:

This workshop (over two sessions) will provide instructors with opportunities to design assessment strategies to support student learning. You will design formative and summative assessments and learn strategies for providing constructive feedback on students’ work. You will also have opportunities to evaluate the effectiveness of different assessment tools. Please bring a current course syllabus with learning objectives.

Register for TLC Mini-Institute – Designing and Evaluating Assessment Strategies (TLCTS2)

*Please note: Teaching and Learning Certificate (TLC) program participants are required to sign up for both workshops (May 12 & May 13) in the TLC Mini-Institute to fulfill the program requirements.

TLC Mini-Institute – Strategies for Maintaining a Respectful Classroom Environment (TLCTS2, Day 2)

Date and time: Tuesday, May 13, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m

The Centre offers the one-and-a-half day TLC Mini-Institute every May and August. The workshops in the Mini-Institute are:

1. Designing and Evaluating Assessment Strategies
2. Strategies for Maintaining a Respectful Classroom Environment

The Mini-Institute is for Pre- and Tenured Faculty Members, Instructors, Sessional Instructors, Librarians, and Post-Doctoral Fellows. Participants can choose to sign up for each workshop separately or attend both.

This session:

As instructors, you may have experienced behaviour by your students that you felt was disrespectful, rude, or disruptive. These can be challenging situations to deal with. This interactive workshop will focus on teaching strategies that foster and maintain respectful classroom behaviour.

Register for TLC Mini-Institute – Strategies for Maintaining a Respectful Classroom Environment (TLCTS2)

*Please note: Teaching and Learning Certificate (TLC) program participants are required to sign up for both workshops (May 12 & May 13) in the TLC Mini-Institute to fulfill the program requirements.

TLCN06 Teaching Dossier

Date and time: Wednesday, May 14, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Increasingly, university promotion and tenure committees are requiring a teaching dossier to document your development and achievements as an educator. This workshop looks at the requirements at the University of Manitoba for teaching dossiers and covers the basics of writing a Teaching Philosophy statement and creating a teaching dossier.

Register for the TLCN06 Teaching Dossier workshop

Generative AI in Teaching and Learning

Date and time: Wednesday, March 5, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

This workshop focuses on ethical and responsible instructional uses of generative artificial intelligence (genAI) to support student learning in higher education. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of how genAI works and explore its capabilities, limitations, and ethical issues. The core of the workshop will involve discussion about basic learning theories supported by the cognitive sciences and how genAI can enhance and hinder the learning process. Through individual and group reflections, discussions, and activities, participants will critically assess how to use genAI ethically and responsibly in ways that support student learning.

Register for the Generative AI in Teaching and Learning workshop

Teaching and Learning Research Colloquium Series: Session 3

Date and time: Thursday, March 6, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The 2024/25 Teaching and Learning Research Colloquium Series shares the important work of University of Manitoba scholars and educators, whose research sheds light on student support needs, barriers to support seeking, and strategies for supporting students’ learning. Over a series of three research talks, faculty, instructors, and support staff will learn from and with each other about supporting diverse learners. Each talk will be followed by a discussion period and refreshments.

Session 3:

Barriers to Support: Metastereotypes and Help-seeking Among International Students

International students face unique challenges adapting to living and studying abroad, which may influence various aspects of their postsecondary studies. The resources and support services offered by university staff, instructors, and classmates are, therefore, essential for academic success and an overall positive university experience for many international students. Dr. Matthew Quesnel’s work examines how international students’ metastereotypes of how they are viewed by Canadian faculty, staff, and students on their campus, predict whether they seek out peer support and support services offered by their postsecondary institutions. In this session, Matthew will share his research findings on international students’ metastereotypes and its relationship to their help-seeking on campus and explore how this can inform strategies for fostering a more inclusive campus environment, promoting international students’ help-seeking and academic success and well-being on campus.

Register for the Teaching and Learning Research Colloquium, Session 3

Pedagogies of Care: Science of Learning – Firing and Wiring the Neurons

Date and time: Thursday, March 13, 10:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.

Join us for a series of four monthly 50-minute sessions designed for graduate students, instructors, and professors committed to exploring pedagogies of care. These sessions offer strategies that foster care, inclusion, and broaden perspectives in higher education, including insights into how brain science can enhance teaching effectiveness. Each session will provide practical tools for creating inclusive, engaging, and empowering learning environments, drawing on research into neural connections, brain plasticity, and how these processes affect learning, memory retention, and student engagement. Whether you’re teaching in-person or in an online format, this series will equip you with neuroscience-based strategies and pedagogical approaches that cultivate caring and inclusive educational spaces.

During the Science of Learning – Firing and Wiring the Neurons session:

• Participants will discuss the basic principles of how brain processes, such as neural connections and plasticity, influence learning and memory retention.
• Participants will explore brain-based strategies to their teaching methods, fostering environments that enhance cognitive engagement and student learning.

Register for the Pedagogies for Care workshop

Knowledge Transfer: Transitioning from Classroom Learning to Clinical Application

Date and time: Thursday, March 13, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Specifically relevant for Clinical Educators: Effective knowledge transfer from the classroom to the clinical setting is an ongoing goal of didactic teaching.  Effective knowledge transfer ensures that students perform well not only in their academic journey, but also after graduation when they enter their respective fields. If you would like to learn best practices for enhancing the process of transferring knowledge, this workshop will provide strategies to promote this important aspect of learning.

Register for the Knowledge Transfer workshop

Manitoba Academic Integrity Network (MAIN) Speaker Series

Date and time: Thursday, March 13, 2025, 6:00 p.m. to 6:55 p.m.

The Centre is excited to host the 2024-2025 Manitoba Academic Integrity Network (MAIN) Speaker Series, a collection of six professional development opportunities related to academic integrity. A Certificate of Completion will be awarded to individuals who register and attend all six sessions in this series. Visit the Manitoba Academic Integrity Network Speaker Series website for more details.

Session 6: Transforming Assessment Practices in Higher Education with the AI Assessment Scale (AIAS) 

As the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) technologies have become increasingly ubiquitous in higher education, and institutions must equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for an AI-driven future. Although some institutions have attempted to ban the use of these tools and enforce this through an AI text detection strategy, this session proposes an alternative solution to this challenge. The AI Assessment Scale (AIAS) developed by Perkins et al. (2024), offers a flexible framework for incorporating GenAI into educational assessments while promoting academic integrity and ethical use of these technologies. It consists of five allowable levels of AI use in submitted assessments, ranging from ‘No AI’ to ‘AI Exploration’, enabling educators to design assessments that focus on areas requiring human input and critical thinking. This intervention will explore the challenges of attempting to use a detection-based approach to dealing with GenAI use in assessments, introduce the AIAS as a possible alternative, and discuss the findings of a pilot study of the AIAS at British University Vietnam which has demonstrated significant benefits in reducing misconduct and supporting student engagement and attainment. 

Register for the MAIN Speaker Series, Session 6

Small Shifts, Significant Gains: March Session

Date and time: Monday, March 17, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Looking for ways to revitalize your teaching but don’t have time for a big redesign? In Small Teaching, author James Lang argues that small changes in classroom techniques and activities can have big impacts on student learning. Join our sessions to hear practical teaching strategies from faculty guest speakers. Bring your questions and your lunch.  Leave with ideas that you can implement right away in your courses! 

Lightning Presentation Speakers:

• C. Lee Anne Deegan from the Faculty of Social Work presents: Centering Collaboration: Applying Relational Values to Reimagine Group Work
• Cheryl Glazebrook from the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management

Register for Small Shifts, Significant Gains: March Session

Experiential Learning Community of Practice Monthly Meeting: Leveraging AI to Enhance Experiential Learning

Date and time: Wednesday, March 19, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Experiential Learning Community of Practice is a growing network of UM faculty, instructors, and staff passionate about experiential education.

Monthly meetings:
Join our monthly meetings to build relationships with other Community of Practice members, explore best practices and innovations, and participate in engaging conversations.

Leveraging AI to Enhance Experiential Learning:
This month, we’ll explore how AI can enhance experiential learning, showcasing the innovative ways instructors are integrating AI into their teaching. Join us for a dynamic, facilitated discussion that will dive into the benefits and challenges of AI in experiential learning and celebrate the impactful work happening in this field.

Register for Leveraging AI to Enhance Experiential Learning

Incorporating the Seven Sacred Teachings into Classroom Teaching Strategies and Giving Feedback

Date and time: Thursday, March 20, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

This workshop will focus on an introduction to the Seven Sacred Teachings and how to incorporate them in day-to-day teaching strategies.  This workshop will also focus on how to deliver strength-based feedback. We will also put strategies into practice with scenarios.

Register for the Incorporating the Seven Sacred Teachings workshop

Universal Design for Learning in Practice: Recognize Expectations, Beliefs, and Motivations

Date and time: Thursday, March 27, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Join us for the last Thursday of each month in an ongoing series, where participants will review discreet elements of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Participants will work together to develop pedagogical practices that align with the UDL principle being discussed that month.

Topic: This session will focus on CAST’s UDL principle of recognizing expectations, beliefs, and motivations and how it can be directly applied to pedagogical practice. There will be a brief presentation of the core elements of this principle followed by a question-and-answer session where participants can collaborate with the facilitator to develop their practice. 

Register for Recognize Expectations, Beliefs, and Motivations

TLCN09 Reflective Practice

Date and time: Thursday, December 05, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

John Dewey observed that, “We do not learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience.” In order to become a better teacher, it is necessary to reflect on what we do and why we do it – to ask ourselves, is what we do effective? In this workshop we will explore several models of self-reflection, including the Gibbs’ Model, as methods for engaging in a reflective practice. Participants will also have the opportunity to share their own successes and struggles as they strive to become a better teacher.

Register for the Reflective Practice workshop

TLCN10 Self-Evaluation of Teaching Practice

Date and time: Monday, December 9, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Feedback and evaluation of teaching are part of every teacher’s life. How do you make sense of the evaluative feedback you receive from SRI scores, daily classroom experiences and student grades? This workshop examines the theory and practice of evaluation and suggests practical strategies for integrating effective evaluative practices into your teaching. Please note that this workshop does not cover the design and creation of student assessments. 

Register for the Self-Evaluation of Teaching Practice workshop

TLCN02 Teaching and Technology

Date and time: Monday, December 9, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

In this workshop, we will explore a framework for using technology in teaching and learning. Rather than a technology ‘how-to’ session, the focus will be on providing a method for evaluating technology that supports the goals of teaching and learning. We will also discuss the benefits and challenges of using technology in the classroom.

Register for the Teaching and Technology workshop

TLCN03 Navigating Challenging Student Situations

Date and time: Tuesday, December 10, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

As instructors, you may have experienced behaviour by your students that you felt was disrespectful, rude, or disruptive. These can be challenging situations to deal with. Staff from Student Advocacy and Case Management and the Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management will provide an overview of pertinent University policies and procedures to help you understand your rights and responsibilities as an instructor. This interactive workshop will provide you with strategies and tips for preventing and responding to these behaviours.

Register for the Navigating Challenging Student Situations workshop

TLCN07 Mental Health in the Classroom: Responding to Students Demonstrating Mental Health Distress

Date and time: Tuesday, December 10, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Young adults are highly susceptible to mental health problems. We know that most instructors encounter many students who are struggling with mental health issues that affect their academic performance, behaviour in the classroom, and interactions with teaching staff.  Research also indicates that the incident rate and intensity of mental health problems experienced by students is increasing. These situations can be stressful, time-consuming, and potentially can involve risks to personal safety for the students and others. David Ness, the Director of the Student Counselling Centre at the University of Manitoba, will provide you with information about how to identify and respond effectively to student mental health issues, how to understand the factors that contribute to student distress, and how to access resources.  This interactive workshop will involve case study material to apply your knowledge of risk assessment, response alternatives, and on- and off-campus resources.

Register for the Mental Health in the Classroom workshop

TLCN08 Indigenous Knowledges for Teaching Higher Education

Date and time: Wednesday, December 11, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

This workshop introduces participants to Indigenous pedagogies by contextualizing Indigenous knowledges, discussing the importance of making space for Indigenous content and knowledge transmission in the academy, and providing participants with resources about the pedagogical significance of Indigenous knowledges.

Register for the Indigenous Knowledges for Teaching Higher Education workshop

TLCN01 Universal Design for Learning

Date and time: Wednesday, December 11, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an orientation to teaching and learning that promotes greater student choice and agency in learning experiences, with the aim of reducing barriers to learning by providing multiple means of representation, engagement, and expression. In this workshop, participants will explore how UDL values intersect with their own teaching philosophies, identify barriers to learning for students with a range of needs, and (re)design course elements to adopt UDL guidelines in a way that is practical for instructors yet beneficial to learners.

Register for the Universal Design for Learning workshop

Teaching Through Entrepreneurship

Date and time: Thursday, December 12, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Entrepreneurship is recognized as one of the 12 types of experiential learning at UM. Entrepreneurship is not only the early stage start up of businesses, but the solving of real world problems. In this workshop, participants will learn to create experiences that allow students to learn through entrepreneurship. 

Register for the Teaching Through Entrepreneurship workshop

TLCN04 Academic Integrity Teaching and Learning Strategies

Date and time: Thursday, December 12, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Do you want to promote academic integrity in your course but don’t know how?  In this workshop, we will discuss the meaning of academic integrity at the University of Manitoba, and how it relates to your teaching and learning environment (whether that be face-to-face, remote/online). We will discuss ways to implement teaching and assessment strategies that promote integrity that will allow you to focus on students’ learning and community building. Resources for academic integrity education (e.g., syllabus statements, learning activities) that you can modify and incorporate into your courses will be shared.

Register for the Academic Integrity Teaching and Learning Strategies workshop

TLCN05 Developing Intercultural Teaching Competence

Date and time: Monday, December 16, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Every student and instructor brings their own culture into the teaching and learning contexts in which they inhabit. Similarly, every teaching and learning context is informed by and situated in institutional, regional, and national cultures. In this workshop, you’ll explore your own cultural attitudes, knowledge, and skills, and those of your learners and the environments you all find yourselves in. Then, you’ll apply this to your own teaching practices through elements of course design.

Register for the Developing Intercultural Teaching Competence workshop

TLCN06 Teaching Dossier

Date and time: Monday, December 16, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Increasingly, university promotion and tenure committees are requiring a teaching dossier to document your development and achievements as an educator. This workshop looks at the requirements at the University of Manitoba for teaching dossiers and covers the basics of writing a Teaching Philosophy statement and creating a teaching dossier.

Register for the Teaching Dossier workshop

Young recently facilitated a fish skin-tanning workshop, wherein participants embarked on a multi-day process of working with the skin to eventually turn it into fish leather.

“Students descaled the fish skin, prepared tanning solutions and took them home to change solutions over the course of five days. When students brought their fish skins back, we discussed how their relationship with the fish changed—there were some really interesting conversations that came out of it,” she says.

That experience was made possible because of Young’s involvement with the Land and Water program at the University of Manitoba, both in her role as the program coordinator and as a current Métis graduate student studying Métis fishing methodologies.

Offered by Community Engaged Learning, the program brings together students, community members, knowledge carriers and Elders for immersive urban land-based experiences like the fish-tanning workshop. Using a decolonizing approach to education, it provides the opportunity for participants to learn about Indigenous Peoples’ enduring relationships with land and place.

While workshops vary from year to year, past activities have included guided medicine walks through urban forests, building a sweat lodge, beading and rattle-making. The 2023-2024 cohort is exploring Indigenous land-based knowledge systems from a seasonal lens. “In terms of the outcomes we consider when planning the program, we focus on learning on, from and about the land,” says Young.

Though most of the Land and Water program is geared toward Indigenous UM students, other members of the UM Indigenous community and broader Indigenous communities are welcome to attend open events like their walk-and-talk series around the Fort Garry campus.

“Part of what we’re doing is helping students develop a critical lens around land and place, and teaching them to be self-reflexive about their relationships with land, place and Indigenous knowledges,” says Nicki Ferland, a Two-Spirit Métis land-based educator with Community Engaged Learning. “By hosting these activities on campus and in the city, we’re challenging those narratives on what is authentically Indigenous—this is all Indigenous land, and we can all learn from and about the plants and animals in the city.”

“It’s been super impactful for me as a student and my own identity, in beginning to see urban land as Indigenous land and my ancestral connections to this place that have spanned generations,” adds Young. “I’d really love for participants to see and build relationships with the city. There is lots of rich history, like the intersection of the Red River and Assiniboine River as a meeting place.”

The program not only considers what students need to learn, but also the community’s needs on a larger scale. Beyond gaining knowledge and practical skills, participants grow connections and learn how to learn on the land together, often in new experiential ways.

“We’re building strong relationships with each other as well as with the land and our ancestors,” says Young. “It’s great to see that relationship-building between students, Elders and knowledge carriers, and community. We’re starting to see relationships form and exist in community instead of only the university setting.”

“It’s important that students have the opportunity to learn on the land, and we want to meet students’ own needs and interest in land-based education,” adds Ferland. “It’s a great entry-level program for students who want to learn more about their cultural identities and Indigenous knowledges.”

Visit the Community Engaged Learning webpage for more information about the Land and Water program.