Author: Kathryn Brillinger

Kathryn is the Director of Teaching and Learning at Conestoga, bringing more than 30 years of teaching experience in the Ontario college system, specializing in English as a Second Language learning, diversity and intercultural skills. Internationally, she has presented on the impact of nonverbal cues on communication endeavours, and solving teaching and intercultural dilemmas. Kathryn holds an M.Ed., and certificates in TESL and Intercultural Studies. Contact Kathryn to discuss suggestions regarding potential programming for Teaching and Learning.

September 4, 2023

Language Use in the Conestoga Classroom

Reading Time: 6 minutesThis tip is to guide you in exploring how your comments and practices regarding use of the students’ first language (L1) in the classroom may impact an international student’s first experiences in Canada.

Class Management/Diversity/Teaching International Students

August 25, 2021

Cameras On and Off in Virtual Classes

Reading Time: 4 minutesWhy should you keep your camera on when teaching? We have now had more than a year and a half of experience with virtual classes...

Build Community/Teaching/Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

March 12, 2021

10 (+1) Tips for Supporting International Students (and Everyone Else) While Teaching Online

Reading Time: 5 minutesKathryn Brillinger, Nasreen Sultana, and Laura Stoutenburg of Teaching and Learning, and Thomas Campbell and Kavya Adapala from Student Engagement. Keep the Welcome Going Work on a big, warm welcome each class. Students will...

Diversity/Online Synchronous/Teaching International Students

May 28, 2020

Assigning, Coaching, and Marking Recorded Presentations

Reading Time: 4 minutesStrategies and suggestions for coaching and grading recorded student presentations.

Assessing Learning/Creating Assessments/Online Synchronous

July 15, 2019

Start, Stop Continue

Reading Time: < 1 minuteLooking for feedback from learners on your teaching, or a way for learners to offer each other feedback? Try a Start, Stop, Continue feedback opportunity.

Active Learning and Engagement/Giving Feedback/Teaching

February 14, 2018

Preventing Classroom Management Challenges

Reading Time: 7 minutesHow do expert teachers handle classroom management? The research into expertise in teaching shows that expert teachers do not behave like experts in high-risk professions (e.g., paramedics,...

Class Management/Teaching

December 1, 2017

Creating a BOPPPPS Lesson Plan

Reading Time: 3 minutesEffective lesson planning is the greatest tool in your teaching toolkit. In this teaching tip, learn about the BOPPPS Lesson Plan, and find downloadable resources...

Lesson and Course Planning/Teaching