How UCalgary's teaching and learning community continues to excel

Innovation and life long learning are inherent traits of educators. At UCalgary the teaching and learning community's continued pursuit of growth, transformation, and the adoption of new concepts are key to delivering a successful and rewarding student experience. 

Today the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning (TI)  publishes its 2024 Community Report, which features some of the innovative programs, events and people who have made an impact on teaching and learning at the University of Calgary from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.

Taylor Institute Community Report

Teaching and learning is a cornerstone of the 2024-30 Ahead of Tomorrow Academic Innovation Plan, with its emphasis on the the importance of lifelong, future-focused learning for students, faculty, and staff at the university.

“It’s our mission to prepare and support students for a lifetime of learning. They are tomorrow’s transformative leaders. The courage and knowledge required to ask questions, distill information, and navigate change — these are the outcomes that post-secondary education strives to achieve,” says Wendy Benoit, Interim Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning. “When our amazing students feel confident taking what they’ve learned in university and use that knowledge and experience to enhance their own communities, it gives educators a sense of accomplishment.”

Leadership begins in the classroom

Throughout the 2023-2024 year, teaching and learning programming, events, and initiatives were supported across UCalgary, with 729 badges earned, 101 certificates awarded, and 109 workshops facilitated.

January’s Celebration of Teaching event recognized 31 educators for their outstanding contributions to student learning across 15 Teaching Award categories. In April, the Conference for Postsecondary Learning and Teaching welcomed over 350 delegates to explore the theme Courageous Practices: Equity, Diversity, and Belonging in Postsecondary Education. The online event featured nearly 100 interactive sessions, research presentations and digital poster videos.

Highlights in teaching and learning research include a record-setting $1 million awarded to 33 projects and initiatives through the Teaching and Learning Grants Program. In undergraduate research, over 150 curious undergraduate students embarked on $1.13 million worth of funded, mentor-guided research projects over the summer. Additionally, a generous $500,000 donation from Cenovus, over two years, supported equity-deserving student groups looking to participate in research.

“Care, courage and connection are foundational values at the Taylor Institute and guiding principles in the work that we do with faculties, units and individual instructors.” says Derritt Mason, Acting Senior Director, Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning. “As educators, one of the most rewarding experiences is to step into the shoes of the learner. By sharing our experiences and expertise in the classroom, on research projects and at events, we’re contributing to the curiosity, spirit and resiliency of our teaching and learning community.”

Each year, the University of Calgary community is made stronger thanks to contributions made to teaching and learning by educators and students. For more information about Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning programming, events and initiatives, please visit taylorinstitute.ucalgary.ca.

What is the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning (TI)?

The Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning is at once a building and community of people, all dedicated to better understanding and improving teaching and student learning.

The TI offers programming, initiatives and resources for academic staff, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars at all career stages looking to strengthen their teaching and learning approaches.