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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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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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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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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…
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Elevating Mentorship in Higher Education: The Key to Effective Preceptor Development
Summary: Discover the transformative impact of mentorship in higher education. Learn how effective preceptor development is key to nurturing future leaders and fostering academic excellence. Date of publishing: February 28, 2024 Mentors play an invaluable role in shaping the future of our students. The integration of preceptorship, and their input on assessment, in workplace learning is necessary to fully actualize experiential learning. Here is a summary of a conversation with Taylor Raiche, Experiential Learning Assessment and Program Development Specialist at the College of Pharmacy, providing crucial insights into the essence and importance of preceptor training for effective mentorship. Key takeaways Preceptors Play a Crucial Role in Professional Identity Formation Preceptor…
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Gamifying Learning Experiences
Summary: Discover how gamification can transform your teaching! Learn strategies to engage students and enhance learning through game-like experiences in our latest article. Date of publishing: December 13, 2023 In this blog post, we’ll explore helpful tips on how to incorporate gamification into your own university courses. Dr. Martin Gaal, a Political Studies faculty member, has successfully incorporated gamification into two of his courses, POLS 261 Global Politics and POLS 201 Global Citizenship Cultures and Coexistance. While POLS 261 and POLS 201 are not prerequisites for each other, Dr. Gaal does see value in students taking POLS 261 before 201. This sequential progression aligns with the staircase model of applied…
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Instructional Strategies for Climate Justice
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Environmental Solutions Initiative has developed the Climate Justice Instructional Toolkit to enhance climate justice education. Aimed primarily at educators in introductory undergraduate courses, the toolkit provides resources and programming to integrate climate justice content and instructional approaches across various disciplines. The toolkit is openly licensed and includes adaptable teaching modules (with downloadable pptx files), instructional guides, and student resources. The toolkit focuses on climate justice—addressing the unequal impacts of climate change on vulnerable groups and identifying solutions. The proposed instructional strategies align with the University of Saskatchewan’s teaching practices for sustainability competencies and types of experiential learning. The initiative also encourages feedback and collaboration for…
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Embedding Research, Artistic, and Scholarly Skills: A Step-by-Step Guide for Classroom Success
Summary: Elevate classroom success with this guide on embedding research, artistic, and scholarly skills. Gain practical steps to enhance student learning and engagement. Date of publishing: November 23, 2023 Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just beginning, this blogpost aims to empower you to align your course outcomes with research, artistic, and scholarly work (RSAW). Let’s explore a self-guided journey of instructional alignment using the 7-level research skills framework and the experiential learning cycle. To undertake this self-guided exploration, you may wish to have the following material handy: Sticky notes in two colours Paper Markers Pens A large piece of paper Step 1: A Day in the Life… Grab a…
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To Be What the World Needs, We Need to Bring the World Into the Classroom
Summary: Bring global perspectives into your classroom! Learn how integrating diverse viewpoints can enrich learning and prepare students for a connected world. Date of publishing: November 14, 2023 The global lockdown of 2020 showed us that learning doesn’t require desks and a lectern. If the activities could be done in isolation (listening, reading, answering test questions), then why should students opt into classroom learning? Yet, there is immense value in gathering and interacting with each other. Thus, what we choose to do in these classroom spaces matters. Educators can contextualize their disciplines and helps students make meaning of their developing knowledge and skills by bringing external thoughts, processes, and contexts…
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Reflective Journaling: How Instructor Feedback Helps Students Improve
Summary: Enhance student growth with instructor feedback in reflective journaling. Learn how targeted comments can improve student writing and critical thinking skills. Date of publishing: October 31, 2023 Journaling is like capturing a series of snapshots of changing knowledge and skills. Reflective journaling is a lens through which students can examine their own progress, capturing moments of insight and understanding of their own learning. With continuous feedback from instructors, these journals bring clarity and refinement to the student experience. We’re reflecting with Dr. Kathy Walker from the department of Political Studies to see how students develop and process their understanding in Political Studies 222 and 422. Throughout the term, students…