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Please note: This blog is no longer active and has been archived
Please note that this blog has been archived, and is no longer in active use for publishing content from the Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching & Learning (GMCTL). If you wish to see more recent teaching & learning resources and content from the GMCTL, please visit our new blog home at teaching.usask.ca/teaching-blog.php.
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10-Year Anniversary of OER At USask Brings Celebrations and Opportunities
The 2024-25 academic year marks an important milestone for USask. It’s been ten years since the first adoption of an open textbook in a large course. During the 2014-15 academic year, Professor Eric Micheels from the College of Agriculture and Bioresources adopted the OpenStax Economics text for Agriculture Economics. Students that year saved roughly $30,000 because Eric made this change. At the time, he said that “it makes economic sense.” Accomplishments This year, USask students are saving around $1.95 million through instructors using open educational resources (OER) instead of commercial learning materials. That savings and the 10-Year anniversary of Professor Micheels adopting the open textbook are cause for celebration, but…
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From Student Volunteer Experience to Credit-Earning Experiential Learning Course
Summary: Transform volunteer work into academic credit! Discover how USask is turning student experiences into valuable, credit-earning opportunities through innovative experiential learning courses. Date of publishing: August 20, 2024 Experiential learning is a critical component of student development. At the University of Saskatchewan, the KIN 350 and 460 courses exemplify how volunteer experiences can be transformed into structured, for-credit learning opportunities that align with curricular goals. The journey from a purely volunteer initiative to a credit-earning practicum course illustrates the potential of experiential learning in fostering student growth, both academically and professionally. The Origins of the Student Trainer Practicum The Student Trainer Practicum, now in its fourth year as a…
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Making Space for Challenging Conversations
There have always been “sensitive” topics that do or may come up in classes. They may be introduced by an educator or by a learner. They may be planned or arise organically. Even if the topic is introduced intentionally, it may seem there is little to prevent the conversation from deviating into unproductive or emotionally charged exchanges. The GMCTL has offered a workshop on Challenging Conversations for several years to help instructors develop skills and learn tips for facilitating such conversations. In that workshop, we’ve discussed the differences between four types of environments instructors can create where these discussions may take place: open, safe, brave, and accountable. Open Space …
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Listening Woman
Listening Woman The fifth clan mother teaching is centered around stillness, silence and listening. This clan teaching, as described in, The Original 13 Clan Mothers, by Jamie Sams, emphasizes the art of being in a state of complete awareness. Sams writes, “we will never learn or expand if we do not listen to what is being said” (Sams, 1993). Listening Woman challenges us to be observant listeners, inviting us to pause and truly listen to everything around us. Listening is not limited to verbal communication but includes the act of listening to the movements of what is also happening within us. Our ears allow us to capture sounds for interpretation,…
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Exploring the Campus as a Living Lab: A Pathway to Innovation and Engagement
Summary: Experience USask’s innovative “Campus as a Living Lab” project, where campus becomes a dynamic space for sustainability education and hands-on learning. Join us in shaping a sustainable future! Date of publishing: May 14, 2024 The concept of a “Campus as a Living Lab” is not just an academic buzzword; it’s a transformative approach that turns a non-classroom part of the university campus into a hub for experiential learning and community engagement. Dr. Allison Cammer’s invitation to explore this concept is a call to action for students, faculty, and staff to engage with the campus beyond the traditional classroom setting. Why is ‘Campus as a Living Lab’ Important? The ‘Campus…
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Looks Far Woman
Looks Far Woman Looks Far Woman is the guardian of the fourth moon cycle. Among other things, Looks Far Woman is also a visionary. She teaches humanity the ability to see the truth from multi-dimensions. She warns us of the power of fear, and the potential it has on limiting the possibilities of growth. Removing fear allows for us to see beyond its barriers, and it is within these peripheries that we might see the potential for growth. (Sams, 1993) The University of Saskatchewan has received the gift of potential growth from Indigenous perspectives and worldviews. The ohpahotân | oohpaahotaan – let’s fly up together – Indigenous Strategy for the…
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Bringing Theory to Life Through International Experiential Learning
Summary: Discover how international experiential learning bridges theory and practice, offering students immersive experiences that enrich their education and global understanding. Dive into real-world learning! Date of publishing: April 1, 2024 The University of Saskatchewan’s taught abroad courses aim to transform theoretical knowledge into tangible experiences (this is a form of experiential learning). In Dr. Kirsten Fisher’s 300-level Political Studies course, students explored transitional justice through onsite interactions with governmental, non-governmental, and community organizations in Uganda. This was possible because of Dr. Fisher’s research in these communities and existing relationships. This demonstrates the efficacy of the teacher-scholar model to align what we research with what we teach. This immersive approach to…
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Weighs the Truth
Weighs the Truth The third moon teaching, from the book, The 13 Original Clan Mothers, by Jamie Sams, acknowledges taking responsibility for the truth. Sams explains that this moon is the Guardian of Justice; the teacher of principles that emphasizes the ability to see all sides of a situation, rather than seeking punishment. The wisdom in this teaching focuses on doing the right thing and allow oneself to make decisions that are not based on, “class distinction, hierarchy, wealth, supposed power and popularity” (Sams, 1993). Weighing the truth is having the ability to look within oneself and to acknowledge a truth regardless of how painful it may be. Racism is one…
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The Life-Giving Role of Field Work in Biology Courses
Summary: Explore how hands-on fieldwork in biology courses breathes life into learning, fostering deeper understanding and engagement with the natural world. Discover the transformative power of outdoor education! Date of publishing: February 28, 2024 Biology 228 at the University of Saskatchewan stands as a testament to the enduring value of field work in higher education. After a 10-year gap and a reduction in field components, this course which serves approximately 140 students has re-embraced experiential learning, recognizing its profound impact on student development. Led by seasoned lab educator Scott Halpin, whose expertise spans four decades, Biology 228 exemplifies the transformative power of hands-on experiences. By venturing outdoors, students transcend traditional…
