On April 24, Carleton University held InspirED 2024, gathering nearly 200 instructors, students and staff from Carleton and other Ottawa area post-secondary institutions to connect, collaborate, and be at the forefront of educational innovation.
Among the many themes and topics explored, the symposium highlighted experiential learning, innovative educational technologies, research into teaching practices, and inclusive and authentic approaches to teaching and learning.
Dr. Kahente Horn-Miller, an associate professor in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and Associate Vice-President (Indigenous Teaching, Learning and Research), and 2023 3M Teaching Fellow, began the day by reflecting on her formative learning experiences at school, her journey to learning about being Mohawk and finding her voice and purpose through telling stories.
Dr. Kahente Horn-Miller speaks at InspirED2024 Symposium
“Storytelling is central to the indigenous way of teaching and learning and sharing our knowledge. Elements of our stories are rooted in the territory from which we originate,” said Horn-Miller.
“We see this in the forms of land-based learning: learning by doing, learning by example, and learning through observation and humour. We are not a written people. The orality of our cultures is important to the transmission of information about the world. At its root, it’s about connection to the land. And it is all these elements that make our teaching and learning practices so distinct as Indigenous educators.”
Horn-Miller emphasized that reconsidering education from the viewpoint of Indigenous knowledge and learning approaches is crucial for Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators who want to understand the challenges and inconsistencies in historical and present educational policies and practices.
Following the welcome and keynote, guests attended concurrent sessions throughout the day. Over 45 panelists, presenters, and students were involved in showcasing and discussing topics like Artificial Intelligence in Education, Virtual Reality, Digital Storytelling, the TAs and Instructor partnership and more.
Through panels, presentations, roundtable discussions and breakout groups, participants explored the innovative educational practices and technology shaping the future of teaching and learning.
Between sessions, students showcased their learning journeys through cuPortfolio and experiential learning partnerships with faculty through the Students as Partners Program (SaPP), and undergraduate research via the I-CUREUS program in over 20 poster presentations.
Professor Ali Arya from the School of Information Technology and Professor Véronic Bézaire from the Institute of Biochemistry, both 2023 OCUFA Teaching Excellence Award recipients, closed the day by reflecting on their own practices and approaches towards teaching and learning. They facilitated group discussions on how to foster and build on the ideas shared throughout day’s concurrent sessions, with the goal to help move towards actions and adoption of student-centered practices.
Professor Ali Arya from the School of Information Technology and Professor Véronic Bézaire from the Institute of Biochemistry