Summer Institute

Schedule: Tuesday, July 9 - Thursday, August 1 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm (every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) 

This course will critically assess popular AI tools and activities for educational settings through various theoretical lenses and ethical and conceptual frameworks. To do this, students will learn how to use a cross-section of AI tools, including image and text generation tools trained on large language models (LLMs) that can be used in educational settings. Students will analyze the tools and activities and consider ethical issues related to accessibility, inclusivity, bias, privacy and security, transparency, and value-add. Through its design, this course will equip students with a comprehensive understanding of AI’s role in education, empowering them to make informed decisions, navigate ethical challenges, and leverage the potential of AI for education purposes.  

Learning Outcomes:

1. Evaluate AI Tools for use in educational contexts, considering the tools’ affordances, constraints and issues related to ethics, social justice and social responsibility 
2. Develop practical skills using image and text generation tools based on LLMs in educational scenarios through a hands-on understanding of their application
3. Understand the basics of how AI works – the various types of AI and where they appear in society through reading and practice 
4. Analyze the implications of AI tools on privacy and security in educational settings, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding sensitive information, especially of vulnerable populations (i.e., children)
5. Create learning experiences that leverage AI with consideration to EDI and AI ethics frameworks
6. Make evidence-based conclusions (oral and written) related to the value-added nature of AI tools in education, considering their impact on teaching and learning outcomes and proposing recommendations for improvement and optimization.

Instructor: Dr Laura Morrison

🎓 Meet Laura, an Assistant Professor helping shape the future of education at Ontario Tech University along with her EdTech colleagues!
🌐 Equipped with a Doctorate in Education from the University of Calgary, Laura focuses on online learning, hyflex learning, maker pedagogies, Critical Digital Literacies and AI in education! Her journey is a testament to a passion for pioneering practices in the digital classroom.
📚 With an extensive academic trail, Laura has left her mark on the scholarly landscape, co-authoring 20 articles, contributing to 14 book chapters, and presenting at over 30 national and international conferences. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.
🚀 Join Laura on the cutting edge of educational innovation, where she seamlessly merges theory with practice, advocating for education that is critical, creative and focused on social justice. Her classes are not just lessons; they are immersive and reflective experiences.
🌟 Beyond the credentials, Laura embodies the spirit of an educator who aims not just to teach, but to inspire and help shape the next generation of educators to embrace the possibilities of tomorrow's classrooms.

Schedule: Tuesday, July 9 - Thursday, August 1 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)

This course will critically assess theories and research related to mental health in the digital age. Students will consider how technology can act as both a risk and a protective factor for well-being across the lifespan. Topics explored throughout the course include, but are not limited to: the role of technology in anxiety and depression, technology as a benefit and protective factor, best practices for learning, motivation, and performance, inclusive communities, digital wellness, digital citizenship, global challenges, global competencies, and resiliency and flourishing. The course design allows students to choose their areas of interest and encourages students to examine topics from personal, professional and evidence-based lenses.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Distinguish, articulate, and critically assess theories and research related to mental health, well-being, and technological pedagogies
2. Distinguish and articulate the various components of mental health and well-being such as the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social domains and risk and protective factors
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between theory, evidence and practice as it applies to action-based research in the area of mental health
4. Formulate and articulate meaningful questions and arguments, written & oral, that build and advance knowledge in the fields of developmental psychology, mental health, education, and digital technology
5. Make evidence-based conclusions and recommendations, written and oral, about the impact and effective uses of digital technologies to support mental health and well-being
6. Demonstrate the ability to critically reflect on personal use and impact of technology in order to make informed decisions for a healthy living approach

Instructor: Dr Jennifer Laffier

Introducing Dr. Jennifer Laffier, who dives deep into the nuances of human development and mental health in today's digital age. From digital wellness to youth mental health, Dr. Laffier's research spans a breadth of topics crucial for navigating our modern world. In her Mental Health in the Digital Age Lab, she pioneers groundbreaking explorations into the intersection of mental wellness, learning, and technology, offering community outreach programs. She's also a licensed mental health practitioner with three decades of experience in Creative Arts Therapy, Psychotherapy, and Trauma specialization. She also has expertise in areas like digital wellness treatment plans, play-based therapy, workplace wellness, Cognitive Based Therapy, and fostering authentic happiness. Get ready to unravel the fascinating link between mental health, learning, and technology like never before. From personal growth to professional development, this course can greatly benefit your life and career. But don't just take our word for it—past students rave about the eye-opening insights and transformative experiences they gained. Rated as one of the most "interesting" and "beneficial" courses in higher education, this is your chance to join the ranks of empowered learners who have learned to thrive in today's digital world.

Schedule: Tuesday, July 9 - Thursday, August 1 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm (every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)

This course allows students to investigate, analyze and design digital learning tools (DLTs). Key areas addressed include defining and categorizing DLTs, exploring learning theories and instructional design principles that support the design of DLTs, understanding the advantages and disadvantages of using DLTs, and analyzing and assessing the qualities of effective DLTs. After developing a solid, evidence-based foundation for DLT design, students will create their own DLTs.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify the essential design and learning features of digital learning tools
2. Explain learning theories underlying the design of digital learning tools
3. Critically examine key instructional design principles used to create digital learning tools
4. Develop criteria for evaluating digital learning tools based on learning theories and instructional design principles

Create a digital learning tool grounded in sound learning theories and instructional design principles.

Instructor: Dr Rob Power

Dr. Rob Power is an instructional design and educational technology innovator who was named winner of the Cape Breton University Instructional Leadership Award for 2021, and who has been nominated for the Atlantic Association of Universities Instructional Leadership Award and the Mt. Royal University Teaching Excellence in Lifelong Learning Award. Rob’s career has spanned over two decades in the K12 and higher education sectors, and he is currently an Assistant Professor with the School of Education and Health at Cape Breton University and an Adjunct Professor with the Mitch and Leslie Frazer Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University. Rob is a Past-President of the International Association for Mobile Learning (IAmLearn), and is currently Vice-President of the Canadian Network for Innovation in Education (CNIE). Join Rob to explore the benefits and instructional design considerations of digital learning tools (DLTs). In this course, you’ll not only learn about DLTs in theory… you’ll learn how to evaluate and design them, and try your hand at building one of your own!

Schedule: Tuesday, July 9 - Thursday, August 1 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)

[Formerly Online Technology in Education]

This course explores integrating online technology (e.g., synchronous and asynchronous communication and learning management systems) into educational practice. Students will learn how online technology enhances and inhibits learning, accessibility, reflection, and learning performance. Students will also reimagine learning spaces through an examination of formal (e.g., learning management systems) and informal (e.g., social media) approaches while building a community of critical thinkers who collaborate with each other to build their own understanding and develop lifelong learning skills to address complex problems.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Critique strategic approaches and learning theories for effective online learning environments
2. Explore and evaluate a variety of digital tools and resources for use in online learning environments
3. Explore the affordances and constraints of online learning digital technologies
4. Articulate and critically evaluate potential ways that digital technologies might be used to create, remix, adopt or apply solutions to educational problems or questions
5. Discuss opportunities and challenges in online learning to support individual and collective learning.

Instructor: Dr Tim Dolighan

Tim is a dedicated educator with decades of experience that spans from the elementary and secondary classroom to post-secondary education and continuing teacher professional learning. Currently, Tim is a sessional instructor at the Mitch and Leslie Frazer Faculty of Education, and is at the forefront of designing immersive online experiences. His expertise lies in harnessing the potential of technology to cater to diverse learning needs. Tim’s research and teaching practice focuses on the affordances and advantages online learning can provide for meeting diverse student and professional learning needs. Online learning can be dynamic, engaging and an effective modality for meeting diverse learning challenges. Join Tim in exploring innovative online spaces and learning contexts that situate online learning within a flexible educational system. Unlock the potential of online learning for your community.

Schedule: Tuesday, July 9 - Thursday, August 1 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)

The growing diversity of the learner population in Canada and the emergence of student voice require a rethinking of pedagogical beliefs and assumptions about the nature of learning in schools and higher education. In this course, students will be encouraged to disrupt historical and societal norms and examine curriculum and pedagogy through a critical pedagogy lens that includes culturally-responsive pedagogy, critical pedagogy and decolonizing pedagogies. Students will investigate and apply these theoretical foundations of equity, diversity and inclusion toward problems of practice in K-12 and higher education, examining the factors that have informed their belief systems and seeking to transform the education experience moving forward.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Critically assess learning theories in education
2. Examine authentic educational problems related to the unequal outcomes of schooling.
3. Interrogate and reflect on different educational standpoints, including personal identity.
4. Identify, articulate and critically analyze assumptions, values, biases, ideologies and evidence underpinning education outcomes.
5. Recognize and articulate how societal structures, particularly privilege and oppression operate in educational policy, practice and outcomes.

Instructor: Dr Allyson Eamer

Allyson, a seasoned educator, has been igniting minds for over a decade with her dynamic instruction in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). Delving deep into the realm of marginalized learners, Allyson is especially passionate about unraveling the stories of children and youth navigating disabilities within the K-12 education journey.

Elevate your educator game this summer by joining her for an immersive dive into the Foundations of EDI. Stay ahead of the curve and deepen your impact by dissecting real-life EDI case studies straight from Canadian classrooms making headlines. It's time to ensure your approach is not just current but cutting-edge. Join Allyson for a transformative learning journey!

To register for your chosen course, please complete the online Registration Form. Once you have completed the Registration Form, Continuous Learning will contact you with payment instructions. Payment will be completed through MyOntarioTech.

Please note: Registration is a two-step process. Your registration is not complete until payment has been received.

Scholarship

While the regular cost per course is $1600, we're excited to offer a scholarship through our Summer Institute, allowing new students to secure their spot for just $950. (Please note: Current Master's program students are not eligible for Summer Institute enrollment).

Please contact continuouslearning@ontariotechu.ca if you have any questions.

2024 Session Dates: Tuesday, July 9 - Thursday, August 1