The Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) in partnership with the D2L, a global learning technology leader have awarded Carleton University’s Jesse Stewart, professor in the School for Studies in Art and Culture, with the 2017 D2L Innovation Award in Teaching and Learning.
Much of Stewart’s work as an educator explores music’s capacity to build bridges between the university and the wider public sphere, creating experiential learning opportunities for Carleton students and wider communities. “I believe music has a very important role to play, not just in modelling social justice, but in actually bringing about social justice,” said Stewart. “As a society, we have a responsibility to ensure everyone has access to the arts and to music.”
Five winners were selected among applicants from around the world. The award recognizes educators who are redefining the learning experience through innovative practices that drive better outcomes for students.
“By reimagining the classroom experience, the STLHE award winners have built programs that put the evolving learning styles of their students at the centre of the learning experience,” said STLHE President Robert Lapp. “As a result, their students are able to approach traditional subjects and solve complex problems in fresh and invigorating ways. We are proud to once again partner with D2L to recognize the achievements of these innovative leaders in post-secondary education.”
This year’s nominees are at the forefront of innovation at their academic institutions, and higher education more broadly.
“Each of these remarkable educators inspire innovation and exceptional teaching every day, and we are honoured to present them with the D2L Innovation Award in Teaching and Learning,” said John Baker, president and CEO of D2L. “Their ability to harness their innovative spirit and bring it to life through today’s advances in technology is precisely why we create the tools needed to develop impactful teaching and learning practices.”
The STLHE award recipients will be recognized at the 2017 STLHE Annual Conference, June 20 to 23 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and at FUSION, the Brightspace Global Conference, July 19 to 20 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Each of the five winners will receive a two-year membership in STLHE, as well as $2,200 toward travel and registration costs for both STLHE’s Annual Conference and FUSION.
About Jesse Stewart
Stewart, a Juno award winner, is redefining music education at Carleton and across the academy. His courses challenge conventional notions concerning the autonomy of the composer and the ways in which we learn to compose music. He firmly believes that making music ¾ like learning ¾ does not take place in a vacuum. Both are co-creative acts in which all participants can learn from and with one another. Students consistently praise his innovative and passionate approach to teaching music, citing him as one of the most engaging professors on campus.
For more information about the award and the winners, please visit (https://www.stlhe.ca/awards/brightspace-innovation-award/2017-recipients/.)
About STLHE
STLHE strives to be the pre-eminent national voice and a world leader for enhancing teaching and learning in higher education. STLHE supports research, its dissemination, increased awareness and application of research through scholarly teaching and learning. Visit www.stlhe.ca for more information.
About D2L
D2L is the software leader that makes the learning experience better. The company’s cloud-based platform is easier to use, more flexible and smart. With Brightspace, companies can personalize the experience for every learner to deliver real results. The company is a world leader in learning analytics: its platform predicts learner performance so that companies can take action in real-time to keep employees on track. Brightspace is used by learners in higher education, K-12, and the enterprise sector, including the Fortune 1000. D2L has operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Brazil and Singapore. www.D2L.com.