Learning Innovation: The Teaching & Learning Podcast

learninginnovation

This is Learning Innovation: The Teaching and Learning Podcast—also known as LITL-Pod. In the spirit of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and Niitsitapi’ksimpstaan (Real Thinking), we play host to a spectrum of guests from the Teaching and Learning community. As we highlight and explore innovation in education, we hope to kindle warm conversations, expand perspectives and foster lasting partnerships today, tomorrow and beyond! The future of learning starts now.

  1. FEB 3

    E75: Research and Reconciliation — Fostering Healing and Community through Public Safety Applied Research

    “Ultimately, my focus is on making space for perspectives that have historically been excluded and ensuring our work contributes to the systemic change.” ~ Dr. Kirsten Fantazir, Research Chair at Lethbridge Polytechnic  Dr. Kirsten Fantazir (Instructor and Research Chair at Lethbridge Polytechnic), and Dr. Jami Albright-Tolman (Instructor and Researcher), share about public safety applied research projects that are fostering connection with Blackfoot communities, and preparing students for careers in public safety.  Kirsten and Jami expand on Community Integration Through Art Pissatsinaskssini (CITAP), and how its Creative Circles can foster healing, trust, and reconciliation.   CITAP brings together Indigenous elders, students, and community partners to share meals, art, and cultural practices—and challenge stereotypes about houseless and vulnerable populations. Kirsten and Jami highlight early results, ethical practices, and the importance of authentic relationships and Indigenous ways of knowing.  During the show, guests and Donna (host) mention: CPSAR – Centre for Public Safety Applied Research  CITAP – Community Integration Through Art - Pissatsinaskssini Ninastako Cultural Centre  E05: Gamifying Grammar with Murray Bartley and Kirsten Fantazir E56: The positionality effect – Building empathy through reflection and transparency about your place in the world  Dude’s Club  Sir Robert Peel’s Policing Principles  Niitsitapi Eats and Treats  RAs (resident assistants) Tsimshian Haida RINSA  CI-CAN National Indigenous Education Symposium  First Thunder Wellness Criminal Justice at Lethbridge Polytechnic VR Core York Regional Police, Ontario  Bill C48  Social Determinants of Health

    42 min

  2. JAN 6

    E74: Lethbridge City Scholars — Building Stronger Bridges Between Campus and Community

    "We know WIL has this really magical ability to create a stronger connection between students and this community." ~ Perry Stein, City of Lethbridge Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Manager Dr. Natalie Barfuss (business instructor at Lethbridge Polytechnic) and Perry Stein (Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Manager at the City of Lethbridge) share the overwhelming benefits of WIL for students and their communities. Work-integrated learning (WIL) helps students develop skills like teamwork, collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking. These real-world skills help students step out more confidently into their careers. Because WIL allows students a glimpse into the community, these experiences can even kindle an interest in staying around Lethbridge after graduation. Natalie also shares how instructors can dip their toes in WIL experiences. Hint—it's easier than you think! During the show, Perry, Natalie, and Donna (host) mention: ☀️SUMMER BONUS☀️ E58: LITL-Pod LIVE – Preparing learners and shaping community through Work-Integrated Learning (WIL)  Lethbridge Polytechnic REB  Bachelor of Nursing Trades & Technologies School of Business  University of Lethbridge Mitacs University of Calgary  NorQuest College WIL Symposium CASA  Downtown BRZ  Universal Design for Learning Goal-setting theory City Scholars CEWIL Southgrow

    47 min

  3. 2025-12-02

    E73: 🤖 AI literacy and Critical Awareness — Helping Students Stay Human on their Learning Journey

    "Teaching is not only about giving information, right? It's not about giving facts or explaining concepts or putting things together. It's creating a certain environment where learning is happening and I still think that humans are better at this than AI.” ~ Dr. Olga Klymenko  A recent study from MIT shows that over-reliance on LLMs for writing accumulates cognitive debt (weaker brain connectivity, less ownership over the finished product).   Dr. Olga Klymenko, instructor and language expert, is grappling with how to address over-reliance on AI writing in her classroom.  Olga doesn't believe in banning or even policing the use of AI. Instead, she believes the answer lies in choosing to engage—that is, aiming to be collaborators in the process of knowledge building.  Olga shares her insights, including:  Cultural mismatch and underrepresentation of voices for Indigenous languages Cognitive costs of AI shortcuts and the fallibility of AI-plagiarism checkers Winning trust with students about AI-use (showing limitations; creating learner agency)  During the show, Olga and host (Donna) mention: MIT Study: Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing Task  The small island state of Seychelles (Link lands you on Google Maps)  Seychelles Creole (Kreol Seselwa)  ChatGPT  University of Seychelles University of London  National University of Donetsk  Lethbridge Polytechnic  Navigating academic writing in the AI era: Lethbridge Polytechnic instructor offers insight  E49: Generative AI and instructional design: Emphasizing the process of learning over the product of learning

    46 min

  4. 2025-11-04

    E72: Architecting Our Future — Lethbridge Polytechnic's Strategy Amid National Shifts

    Dr. Brad Donaldson, President and CEO of Lethbridge Polytechnic, unpacks how the institution is navigating national shifts in post-secondary funding, and what it means to take control of our collective future as a PSI in Alberta. He shares practical strategies for ethical domestic recruitment, applied learning and research, and fostering a “critically kind” campus culture that empowers educators, supports students, and strengthens community impact. During the episode, Brad and Donna (host) mention: E35: Interview with the President ☎ Expert Panel on Post-Secondary Institution Funding and Alberta’s Competitiveness Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada New International Student Program regulations take effect Alex Usher’s Higher Education Strategy Associates Blog (One Thought to Start Your Day) That Alberta Post-Secondary Review, Again The President's View Alberta Labour Market Information Polytechnics Canada WIL: Work-integrated Learning WIL at Future Skills Centre Lethbridge Polytechnic programs and courses

    34 min

  5. 2025-05-20

    E71: 📚 Accidental scholars — Responding to teaching and learning gaps in the Trades

    Ryan Mann, Faculty Development Facilitator at SAIT’s Centre for Academic Development and Innovation, and Eric Mitchell, an Automotive Services Instructor at Lethbridge Polytechnic, are actively responding to teaching and learning gaps in the Trades through innovative—and technically scholarly—work. Despite the improvements they're making, Ryan and Eric don't really consider their work as scholarly—but framing it differently could amplify the impact. Ryan and Eric are joined by the polytechnic's Jaddon Park (Academic Services Manager) and Craig McCarthy (Learning Experience Designer). The four discuss the value of reframing work as scholarly, the power of integrating student feedback, and the joy in discovering creative ways to pass along knowledge.  During the show, guests and host (Donna) mention: SAIT: Southern Alberta Institute of Technology  Centre for Teaching and Learning  Academic Development and Innovation  Automotive programs Apprenticeship and Trades  Lethbridge Polytechnic  CTLI: Centre for Teaching, Learning, And Innovation ICP: Instructor Certification Program NIOP: New Instructor Orientation Program SoTL: Scholarship of Teaching and Learning LC Extension Community of Practice OER: Open Educational Resources Making the switch from textbooks to OERs: How (and why) one instructor made the change Automotive Services Technician Apprenticeship  Automotive Systems certificate  Introduction to the Trades  Electrician Apprenticeship   UDL: Universal Design for Learning  EAL: English as an Additional Language  ChatGPT Alberta Minister of Advanced Education  AIT: Apprenticeship and Industry Training  Registered Apprenticeship Program  STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics  The Fast and the Furious  Gone in 60 Seconds  Calgary Corrections Centre  Integration of Trades-Based STEM Education in Canadian K-12 Schools by Josh Hill  Kahoot  Bright Space (learning management system) LITL-Pod episodes:  E69: How to make online learning feel like in-person community – A creative course revision at Lethbridge Polytechnic  E66: 👍 Researcher’s Guide to the Galaxy – How to practically (and painlessly) share your research project, create meaningful impact, and find your community as a Networked Scholar  E55: Environmental Psychology and Conservation – An instructor's creative course-build through the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning  E47: Updates in STEM – Sparking real-world connections between K-12 and the Trades to foster early career passions  E29: How to Develop, Validate, and Disseminate Your Teaching and Learning Research Project through The Scholarship for Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Download Ryan's AI guidebook here: A Guide to Generative AI for Educators

    1h 5m

  6. 2025-05-06

    E70: 🧠 Exercise cognition research — Examining how physical activity shapes the brain

    Beyond the obvious benefits exercise has on your body, research shows that it has powerful benefits on your brain, too—like improved memory, attention, and processing speed. Simon Schaerz (Exercise Science instructor at Lethbridge Polytechnic), David Selles (Physical Education student from the University of Lethbridge), and Tyler Duffy (Exercise Science student at Lethbridge Polytechnic) discuss exercise cognition and its profound impacts on the brain—specifically, on executive functioning. Exercise cognition research could also be pivotal in helping prioritize physical education (PE) programs—especially in K-12, where PE's importance can often be minimized. During the show, guests and host (Craig) mention: Lethbridge Polytechnic  Exercise Science Program  Exercise-physiology class  Research Methods in Kinesiology class  DCM Program  University of Lethbridge  Physical Education Program  Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John J. Ratey  Embodied Cognition Theory  Central Governor Model and Fatigue  Cerebral hemodynamics  Synaptogenesis  Physical Activity and the Development of Executive Function in Healthy Children: A Bioecological Perspective by Simon Schaerz  Pedagogical knowledge model:  Content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and curricular knowledge  Progressive overload  Executive Function Zone of Proximal Development HPEC: Health & Physical Education Council  SSHRC: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council  ECSS: European College of Sports Science Tyler's games to promote executive functioning: Tic-Tac-Toe Pattern Pursuit Red Light, Green Light

    43 min

  7. 2025-04-22

    E69: How to make online learning feel like in-person community – A creative course revision at Lethbridge Polytechnic

    Instructor Kathie Ervin and Instructional Designer Craig McCarthy collaborated to revamp Kathie's Distance Learning (DL) course in the Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology program.  The goal? Create a more hands-on learning experience for DL students.  Kathie and Craig outline their revision strategy, share stories about student creativity and community, and explain why they think the project was so successful. The pair also share tips on how other instructors can revamp their DL courses.  During the episode, Donna (host) and guests mentioned: Therapeutic Recreational Gerontology  CTLI – Centre for Teaching and Learning  UDL – Universal Design for Learning  WIL – Work-Integrated Learning  E68: WIL-Power – Connecting classroom theory with hands-on, Work-Integrated Learning  Student feedback audio on Kathie's TRG course

    42 min

  8. 2025-03-26

    E68: WIL-Power – Connecting classroom theory with hands-on, Work-Integrated Learning

    Students Cory, Adam, Lenae, and Maddie share all about their Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) experiences at Lethbridge Polytechnic.  No matter the program, classroom theory comes to life when students are paired with real-world scenarios – and the lessons are invaluable. Students discuss favourite moments and key insights from their WIL experiences. They also exchange strategies for navigating challenges like imposter syndrome – sometimes it helps to don a "suit"! During the show, guests and Donna (host) mention: Acronyms/definitions: WIL: Work-Integrated Learning  RN: Registered Nurse  NESA: Nursing Education in Southwestern Alberta Imposter syndrome Lethbridge Polytechnic Wellness Services Programs:  Ecosystem Management  Nursing (NESA) Criminal Justice – Corrections  Child and Youth Care  Wildlife Analytics Lab E63: Wildlife Analytics Lab – Lethbridge Polytechnic's hub of innovation and collaborative conservation WIL community connections: Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society   Galbraith Elementary School  Family Ties

    51 min
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Ratings & Reviews

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5 Ratings

About

This is Learning Innovation: The Teaching and Learning Podcast—also known as LITL-Pod. In the spirit of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and Niitsitapi’ksimpstaan (Real Thinking), we play host to a spectrum of guests from the Teaching and Learning community. As we highlight and explore innovation in education, we hope to kindle warm conversations, expand perspectives and foster lasting partnerships today, tomorrow and beyond! The future of learning starts now.

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