2009 Opportunities and new directions conference

Compass showing cardinal directions.
Opportunities and New Directions: A Research Conference on Teaching and Learning. Wednesday, May 6, 2009 University of Waterloo: Conrad Grebel College campus


The Teaching-Based Research Group (TBRG), in association with the Centre for Teaching Excellence at the University of Waterloo and supported by Geoff McBoyle, AVPA, invites you to participate in a one-day conference of research on teaching and learning. We welcome anyone interested in this scholarship to join us for an exciting opportunity to network with like-minded colleagues from multiple disciplines and to engage in conversations about new research, work in progress, and emerging ideas.

Conference publication

Following the conference, a call will be made for paper submissions for a print publication. These papers will be subject to a blind review process. You are invited to consider drafting your paper prior to the conference and revising it based on participant feedback and discussion at your session.

Post-conference documents

Thank you to the presenters for sharing their presentation with the rest of the Opportunities and New Directions attendees. Please click on the presentation links below to view PDF versions of the PowerPoint presentations.

Keynote The Promise of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning: Fulfilled or Unfulfilled? (PDF) Gary Poole, UBC Institute for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.
 
101B Combining Human Tutors with a Computer Quizzing System to Improve Tutorial Delivey (PDF). Gregory Niestrawski, Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo; Carol Hulls, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo.
 
103B Assessing the Use of Enhanced Podcasts: Learning vs. Attendance (PDF). Jane Holbrook, Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE), University of Waterloo; Christine Dupont, Department of Biology, University of Waterloo.
 
201 Narratives of Diversity: A Multidimensional Approach to Teaching International Students (PDF). Leora Freedman, English Language Learning Project, University of Toronto.
 
203B Return to the Agora: Small Group Work in a Philosophy Learning Commons (PDF). Shannon Dea, Department of Philosophy, University of Waterloo; Kurt Holukoff, Department of Philosophy, University of Waterloo.
 
303 Development of a State-of-the-Art Patient Safety Curriculum: From Classroom to Co-op and Vice Versa (PDF). Certina Ho, School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo; Vicki Sills, School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo; Nancy Waite, School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo; Heather Chase, School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo.
 
401A Grade Inflation at the University of Waterloo (PDF). Gregory Mayer, Department of Applied Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics, University of Waterloo.
 
401B Evaluating the Use of ‘None of the Above’ in Multiple Choice Testing (PDF). Matthew Pachai, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University; Yvonne Chen, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University.
 
402A Engaging Students in Internationalization (PDF). Anne Banks Pidduck, School of Computer Science, University of Waterloo.
 
403A Schulze403A.pdf (PDF). Mathias Schulze, Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies, University of Waterloo.
 
404A An Investigation of How the Teaching of Reading and Writing Metacognition Influences Second Language Writing Expertise (PDF). Maggie Heeney, Ontario Institute of Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.
 
503 Information Literate Students: Faculty and Librarians Collaborate on a Shared Commitment (PDF). Anne Fullerton, Biology & Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo; Kathy MacDonald, Optometry Librarian, University of Waterloo.
 
504 Getting Engaged in Engineering: Holding on to Good Students Once You’ve Found Them (PDF). Nicola Simmons, Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE), University of Waterloo; Gord Stubley, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo; Jolyn Lee, School of Accounting, University of Waterloo.
 
601 Engaging and Motivating Students in Large Classes with “Clickers” (PDF). Lori A. Jones, Department of Chemistry, University of Guelph.
 
602 Learning as Scholarship: Developing Integrative Learning in the First Year and Beyond (PDF). Tracy Penny Light, Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies and History, St. Jerome’s University; Lorna Rourke, Library, St. Jerome’s University; Jessica Brunton, Arts, St. Jerome’s University.
 
603A Supporting Students with Disabilities Studying at a Distance (PDF). Veronica Brown, Professional Development Program, University of Waterloo.
 
605 Teaching and Learning Strategies for Increased Understanding: Promoting Active Engagement with Assigned Readings (PDF). Susan E. Elliott-Johns, Faculty of Education, Nipissing University.