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. Jun 15

    E79: From Flour to Future: Inside the World of Baking Apprenticeships

    What does it take to become a professional baker? In this episode of Learning Innovation: The Teaching and Learning Podcast, host Kris Hodgson-Bright steps inside the bakeshop at Lethbridge Polytechnic to explore the challenges, creativity, and rewards of learning the baking trade through apprenticeship and work-integrated learning (WIL). Joining the conversation are culinary instructor Amanda Kawchuk, third-level baking apprentice and instructional assistant Karl Atkins, and Level 3 culinary students Rachel Warken, Rowan Desserre, and Kathleen Klink. Together, they share stories from the kitchen, lessons learned through trial and error, and the pride that comes with mastering a craft built on precision, patience, and persistence. The episode explores the realities of culinary education, the value of mentorship, the pathway to Red Seal certification, and opportunities through competitions like Skills Alberta and Skills Canada. The conversation also touches on how artificial intelligence is beginning to shape the culinary world and what it could mean for future chefs and bakers. The Bear TV Show Apprenticeship AB Skills Alberta Skills Canada Provincial Skills Competition National Skills Competition Local Producers Gala Bootsma Bakery Alan Dumonceaux at NAIT

    44 min

  2. May 21

    E78: Community in Motion: Running, Learning, and Personal Growth

    In this episode of Learning Innovation, host Kris Hodgson-Bright chats with Shawn Pinder and Brandon Regier of Runner's Soul about how running connects to education, personal growth, and community. They share stories from triathlons, Ironman races, ultras, and local events while exploring goal-setting, discipline, mental toughness, and the value of celebrating small wins. Lethbridge Polytechnic has strong connections to the community and this episode explores the connection to an integral part of the local running community. The guests highlight Runner's Soul's impact on Lethbridge's running scene, their support for Lethbridge Polytechnic's Kodiaks athletics, and practical advice for new runners: start where you are, get out the door, and let routine and community guide your progress. During the show, guests and Kris (host) mention: Runner's Soul  Prairie Runners Race Association Coulee Cactus Crawl Ladiesfest Little Souls Kids Marathon Lost Souls Ultra Moonlight Run Kodiak Athletics Bertil Johansson Simon Schaerz Iron Man Canadian Death Race Sinister Seven Bachelor of Ecosystems Management Diploma of Renewable Resource Management

    42 min

  3. Mar 17

    E77: Building Empathy and Confidence in the Classroom through Virtual Reality

    Jill Burrows (psychology professor), Dean Kolebaba (instructor and Program Chair for the School of Justice Studies), and Lyle Ruggles (e-learning specialist) chat about the innovative teaching and learning pathways virtual reality (VR) is creating at Lethbridge Polytechnic. This trio discuss how they have integrated narrative-driven VR into their classrooms, including what's worked, what hasn't, and what new developments they'll continue to adopt in the future.  Jill, Dean, and Lyle share how VR technology is helping students practice public speaking and interpersonal communication skills in a safe environment, and how it’s helping to nurture greater empathy, compassion, and understanding for individuals struggling with mental health challenges (like autism and schizophrenia).  During the show, guests and Donna (host) mention: General Arts and Science - Psychology and Sociology Diploma   Therapeutic Recreation - Gerontology  Criminal Justice Studies  Justice Studies  Justice and Human Services Programs  Wind Turbine Technician  Massage Therapy program  Ovation VR  Chris Milk TED Talk: How virtual reality can create the ultimate empathy machine  Sharecare  MetaQuest

    53 min

  4. Feb 27

    E76: BHM Student Panel 🇳🇬 Nigerian Edition 🇳🇬 — Navigating equity, community, and belonging in Canada

    Monica, Aderiyike, Jude, and Divine — nursing students at Lethbridge Polytechnic — share their experiences of cultural identity and community support as they navigate (sometimes discriminatory) systems in Canada. The group discuss resilience and the importance of community for mental health and belonging, along with what they appreciate about Black History Month at Lethbridge Polytechnic. During the show, guests and host (Donna) mention: Practical Nursing at Lethbridge Polytechnic Yoruba tribe  Igbo tribe  LPSA – Lethbridge Polytechnic Student Association  Services Canada  Racial bias in pain assessment and treatment recommendations, and false beliefs about biological differences between blacks and whites  Jollof rice

    56 min

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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Ratings & Reviews

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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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