June 18, 2025

Lights, Camera, Learn! Best Practices For Sharing Videos During Class  

Reading Time: 6 minutesLet’s be honest—lecturing for 60 or 90 minutes straight is tough on students and faculty alike. Research shows that student attention begins to drop after about 20 minutes of passive listening (Bradbury, 2016). That’s why integrating active learning strategies is so important—and one of the most effective tools in your teaching toolkit is video.  Whether it’s a short documentary clip,...

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April 8, 2025

Implementation of Universal Design of Learning

Reading Time: 4 minutesThe Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework offers a comprehensive approach to designing and facilitating learning in an accessible and inclusive way. At first glance, implementing UDL may seem like a large undertaking, but it can be introduced gradually and effectively in any learning environment. This Hub post explores simple, manageable strategies to help you start small and build upon...

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February 19, 2025

Accessibility Considerations in the Development of an Asynchronous Course

Reading Time: 4 minutesOne of the most important considerations in developing an asynchronous course is ensuring it is accessible to all learners. Accessibility is particularly essential for supporting self-directed learners in the asynchronous learning environment, as it empowers them to have control of their learning experiences. While some learners may disclose their need for accommodations, many will not, making it important to proactively...

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January 28, 2025

Making Learning Accessible to All

Reading Time: 2 minutesThis post discusses the importance of accessibility and introduces the concept of Universal Design for Learning as a framework to help you incorporate accessible, inclusive teaching practices.

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December 15, 2024

Universal Design for Learning: An Introduction

Reading Time: 3 minutesThink back to when you were in school – elementary through post-secondary.  How often were you given opportunities to showcase how you learned that was best for you?  If your formal education was anything like my own, you likely had few opportunities to demonstrate your learning beyond the traditional paper-and pencil.  But times have changed! And Universal Design for Learning...

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December 4, 2024

Making Learning Comprehensible: Build it, Model it!

Reading Time: 5 minutesWhat does making learning comprehensible mean? Are you being understood by your students and helping them retain information they are learning? Scaffolding and Modelling foster engagement and increase student success.

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November 26, 2024

From Anonymous to Acknowledged: The Benefits of Using Student Names in Teaching

Reading Time: 4 minutesEarly in my teaching career, a student told me that I was the only professor who had so far remembered her request to call her by her second name rather than her first. At the time, I was curious: What had prevented other educators from remembering her preferred name?  With experience, I have gained more perspective on the obstacles to...

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November 18, 2024

Kyle Christie Empowers Students with Video Lessons, Interactive Learning and Goal-Setting

Reading Time: 3 minutesKyle Christie is a Digital Media Professor and coordinator of the Broadcasting Performance and Digital Media program at Conestoga College. Recognized for his excellence in teaching, Christie was awarded the 2024 Aubrey Hagar Distinguished Teaching Award. With over 15 years of experience as a TV journalist for CTV News and CP24, he brings real-world insights into his courses on Entrepreneurship,...

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October 8, 2024

Mental Health: The Bigger Picture

Reading Time: 6 minutesThe United Nations has declared Oct 10th World Mental Health Day. Throughout the month of October each year, the UN encourages industries and organizations across the globe to: “spotlight mental health around the world, raise awareness of mental health issues and encourage efforts to support those experiencing mental health issues” (“World, N.D.) Mental Health has become somewhat of a buzz-term...

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July 21, 2024

Motivating Your Students to Learn: What Works, What Doesn’t

Reading Time: 6 minutesThink back to a time when you were really motivated to learn something, particularly when you felt the activity was engaging and joyful.  It could have been a class, an event, a work project or anything that sustained your long-term interest.  What exactly was it that made it a joyful, engaging learning experience? What made you continue with the activity?...

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May 8, 2024

Reach Them All with Universal Design for Learning

Reading Time: 4 minutesUniversal Design for Learning (UDL) is about making course instruction, materials, and content accessible to everyone right from the start.  By doing this you will reduce the need for later adjustments or special accommodations which can be time consuming. By using the ideas and tools from UDL to build flexibility and options into your courses, UDL ensures that everyone can...

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May 6, 2024

Accessible Teaching with Copilot 

Reading Time: 5 minutesAn overview of accessible learning at the College and provides ideas for supporting accessible learning using generative AI and AI-supported classroom tools. 

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April 17, 2024

Teaching with Sign Language Interpreters (SLIs) or Interpreters in the Classroom

Reading Time: 4 minutesIntroduction As of 2021, there are approximately 382,700 deaf and 3,827,000 hard of hearing people in Canada (Canadian Association of the Deaf, n.d.; Malkowski, 2021). Deaf, hard of hearing, and deafened individuals (D/HH) are a valued part of our Conestoga community (for more information, see this resource for terms and this resource for deaf community and culture). As faculty continue...

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February 16, 2024

Managing Classroom PPE and Safety Protocols

Reading Time: 3 minutesThis post addresses managing the classroom with respect to the use of personal protective equipment use, discussing safety protocols with students, and responding to safety situations and incidents. 

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January 31, 2024

Effective Whiteboard Use

Reading Time: < 1 minuteWhen teaching in-person, the whiteboard can be an effective teaching tool in the classroom.  It helps students visualize content and recall important terms, concepts, and ideas.  Effective whiteboard use can help make the lesson more accessible for all students.   The way you decide to use the whiteboard in your class is selective. In the video below, we offer basic advice...

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