Creative Writing in a Connected World
Thursday, November 28 | 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
This Viewpoints panel discussion engaged with the evolving landscape of creative writing in the digital age. Tailored for faculty, staff, and students, the event delved into how technology is reshaping the way we write, teach, and engage with creative content. Our panelists shared insights on the integration of digital tools in creative writing pedagogy, the impact of artificial intelligence on authorship, and the new opportunities and challenges that arise from technology-mediated writing environments. This panel offered valuable perspectives and practical advice on future of creative writing and incorporating more technology in your classroom.
TEC Expo 2024
Tuesday, November 19 – Thursday, November 21
The 11th Annual Technology Enhanced Classroom (TEC) Expo was designed to showcase and celebrate interesting and innovative uses of technology in face-to-face, blended, and online classrooms at UBC. TEC Expo 2024 was open to all members of the UBC community, across disciplines and University locations. It was a three-day long celebration, from November 19 to November 21, and consisted of a combination of in-person and virtual engaging conversations.
Facilitators: LDDI Team
Lungs of the Earth
Thursday, November 14 – Saturday, November 16
Lungs of the Earth was a spatialised sound installation inspired by field recordings from the Amazon rainforest, recorded by sound artist Felix Blume and mixed by composer Bernardo Alvarado Rojas. Four elemental poems by Brazilian writers — “Water” by Patrizia Longhitano, “Fire” by Virna Teixeira, “Air” by Alyssa Martens, and “Earth” by Monika Radojevic — took audiences on a narrative journey, highlighting the call and response between animal and human voices.
The installation served as a monument to the songs being lost to deforestation and climate change, and encouraged audiences to develop a personal relationship with the story of ‘the last forest’ through a multi-sensory and interactive exhibition environment.
Lungs of the Earth was supported by LDDI, the Edith Lando Virtual Learning Centre and the Canada Council for the Arts.
Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund (TLEF) Consultations
Wednesday, October 23 | 12 pm – 1 pm
During this workshop, LDDI supported faculty with their applications for Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund (TLEF) projects, including cross-faculty collaborations. The session provided consultation on:
- Pedagogical/course design solutions
- Technical support and recommendations for tools and technologies
- Evaluation strategies
- Project management
- Budget planning
- Liaising with other units like the Center for Teaching Learning and Technology (CTLT).
This was a hybrid event that offered both online and in-person attendance options.
Facilitators: Dr. Jamilee Baroud and the LDDI Team
Where Realities Merge: Exploring Extended Reality (XR) Experiences
Wednesday, October 9 | 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
In this workshop, the LLED 368 class joined us at our new Studio B – Discovery Lab to explore virtual and augmented reality technologies. This exploration was followed by a discussion on the educational applications and implications of extended reality (XR) technologies.
Facilitators: The LDDI Team
AI for Language Learning: A Workshop for the English Language Institute
Friday, September 20
In this workshop, we explored AI in a language learning context. We discussed how AI is already being used in English language learning classrooms, and demonstrated some tools with utility for language learning, as well as their limitations. We demonstrated:
- Copilot text and voice functionality
- ElevenLabs AI Voice cloning
We also facilitated critical conversations surrounding ethical AI use, student privacy, language accuracy, AI literacy, confidence building and how certain types of English are privileged over others in the AI sphere.
Facilitators: Faeyza Mufti, Gabrielle Coombs and Eduardo Rebagliati
AI in Education: A Workshop for B.Ed. Students
Thursday, September 19
In this in-class workshop, we explored generative AI in education contexts with Teacher Candidates in the B.Ed. Program. We discussed how Teacher Candidates are using AI and demonstrated and experimented with Micosoft Copilot. We explored how AI works, and some of the ethical issues of using this technology, looking specifically at the BC K-12 context. We also invited critical conversations about using AI for course work and in K-12 classrooms.
Facilitators: Faeyza Mufti and Gabrielle Coombs
Student Engagement Essentials: Using Technology to Support Meaningful Student Interactions
Monday, September 16 | 11:30 am – 1 pm
New and returning KIN TAs were invited to join us for a workshop that showcased the learning technologies available at UBC. They learned how to use these tools to enhance student engagement in both synchronous and asynchronous settings and discovered how to streamline their workloads by keeping interactions organized on platforms beyond email.
Facilitators: Eduardo Rebagliati, Maryam Danaei Ababin and Christina Park
Learning Design Drop-In
Tuesday, August 13 | 12pm – 1pm
This session offered advice and answers for Faculty of Education faculty members, sessional instructors and TAs who had questions about course design strategies or were looking for additional insights and support. Our experienced learning designers answered design-related questions and empowered instructors with guidance and resources for creating engaging learning experiences.
Facilitators: The LDDI Team
Tea with AI
Tuesday, July 23 | 12pm – 1pm
In this session, we explored AI in Video Production for Teaching and Learning. We looked at how to use Camtasia Rev, the AI feature in Camtasia that allows you to transform recordings and screencasts into a completed product with backgrounds, effects, and filter template selections. We also explored other video production AI tools such as Descript and Luma Dream Machine.
Facilitators: The LDDI Team