Focus On Events banner showing a group of panelists on stage

Focus on events

The Centre for Teaching and Learning鈥檚 (CTL) 鈥淔ocus On鈥 events are a series of engaging half-day or full-day synchronous and/or asynchronous experiences comprising workshops, interactive sessions, ed tech demos, keynote speakers, vendor booths, delicious treats and much more! 聽

Purposes and benefits

The 鈥淔ocus On鈥 events are tailored to:

  • Connect a community of educators dedicated to excellence in teaching.
  • Provide a platform for faculty to share innovative strategies.
  • Explore new pedagogical approaches.
  • Collaborate on enhancing student learning experiences.

Participants gain valuable insights into effective teaching practices and leave with practical tools to apply in their classrooms. These experiences support educators in their roles as designers, researchers, inclusive practitioners, changemakers, digital navigators, collaborators, reflectors, and mentors.

Image of a group of audience attending an event

Annual events and schedule

The CTL proudly hosts 6 to 8 鈥淔ocus On鈥 events each year, including the premier event, Focus on Teaching Conference.

Our planned 鈥淔ocus On鈥 events for 2024-25 are as below:

Focus on UDL logo

Focus on UDL

27 August 2024

Focus on Academic Integrity logo

Focus on Academic Integrity

16 October 2024

Focus on Changemaking logo

Focus on Changemaking

20 November 2024

Focus on Maajiishkaadaa logo

Focus on Maajiishkaadaa

12 March 2025

Focus on Teaching Conference logo

Focus on Teaching

30 April 2025

Focus on EDIB logo

Focus on EDIB

TBD

Focus on Ed-Tech logo

Focus on Ed Tech

TBD

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Focus on Teaching Conference

Each year, the Focus on Teaching Conference brings together our 51视频community to share practices, experiences and insights about learning and teaching. Faculty and students continue to work together to explore new learning and venture into amazing futures.

We鈥檙e excited to support and inspire our community of teachers and celebrate as we recognize all the ways we work together, create and share knowledge, and connect learning inside and outside the classroom.

The last Focus on Teaching Conference took place on 2-3 May 2024. .

Focus on Teaching Conference 2025

51视频鈥檚 Focus on Teaching Conference is returning on聽April 30, 2025. All are invited to join us for the Focus on Teaching Conference where we will gather to reflect, learn, and appreciate the work we all do, the people who inspire us, and the resilience that carries us forward. Read more about this year鈥檚 Focus on Teaching Conference on our FOTC webpage.

Image of a group of panelists during Focus on Teaching Conference 2024

Focus on Maajishkaadaa

Through knowledge sharing, meaningful dialogue, and collective action,聽Focus on Maajiishkaadaa聽aims to reignite the spirit of reconciliation at 51视频 and beyond.

The last Focus on Maajiishkaadaa event took place on 26 March 2024. .

Focus on Maajiishkaadaa 2025

On behalf of Indigenous Services and the Centre for Teaching and Learning, we are proud to announce the return of Focus on Maajiishkaadaa. This year鈥檚 theme,聽All My Relations, calls upon us to recognize and honor our interconnectedness, emphasizing that true reconciliation requires a shared commitment to one another.聽

  • Time: 12:00 pm 鈥 5:30 pm聽
  • Mode: In-person or online
The Truth and Reconciliation Trail at the Orillia Campus - a forested path flanked by orange painted stones

Focus on Changemaking

In today鈥檚 rapidly evolving world, the role of educators and those supporting students on their educational journey extends beyond traditional teaching methods and support mechanisms. We need to equip students with skills and mindsets to not only work in professions but also make change in their communities. Attend the Focus on Changemaking Event to聽explore what changemaking is, why it matters and how you can do it! 聽

FoCH will help you:聽

  • Identify how you are already supporting changemaking.聽
  • Discover ways to equip students with skills they need for the workforce and community, including empathy, teamwork, leadership and critical thinking to practice changemaking.聽
  • Explore how to innovate and incorporate changemaking into your curriculum.聽
  • Align your practices with institutional goals around innovation, changemaking, and social responsibility.聽
  • Connect with like-minded educators to share ideas, passions and strategies for creating meaningful change and find some spark in your work!聽

The last Focus on Changemaking event took place on 20 November 2024. .

Changemaking banner at Fall 2022 Open House

Focus on UDL Day

Focus on UDL Day, presented by 51视频鈥檚 Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and Accessibility teams, is a vibrant event aimed at enhancing educational practices through Universal Design for Learning (UDL). The day features a student panel sharing personal perspectives, a practical UDL workshop to refine your teaching approach, and G脺D Talks where experts discuss their UDL journeys, obstacles, and creative solutions.

This is a valuable opportunity to collaborate with fellow educators and learn new strategies for fostering inclusive and effective learning environments. Join us to connect with educators and professionals committed to creating inclusive and accessible learning environments.

The last Focus on UDL event took place on 27 August 2024. .

male student with glasses working on a laptop

Focus on Academic Integrity Day

Focus on Academic Integrity Day, hosted by the Centre for Teaching and Learning at 51视频, celebrates the . This event aims to foster a culture of honesty, trust, and responsibility in academic practices.

Join us for a day of engaging workshops, thought-provoking discussions, and collaborative activities designed to elevate the importance of academic integrity within our community. Participants will hear from keynote speakers who are leaders in promoting ethical scholarship, as well as from students sharing their perspectives on the value of integrity in their educational journeys.

Interactive sessions will provide practical strategies for encouraging academic honesty and navigating challenges in maintaining integrity. This is an essential opportunity to connect with faculty, staff, and students dedicated to cultivating a respectful and trustworthy learning environment.

The last Focus on Academic Integrity event took place on 16 October 2024. .

Young female presenting in a classroom

Focus on Engagement Day

Focus on Engagement Day, hosted by the Centre for Teaching and Learning, is an online event designed to enhance your teaching practice by showcasing innovative methods for engaging students in various learning environments.

The event features a keynote speaker on student engagement, interactive sessions with colleagues, and GED talks from peers. This is a prime opportunity to connect with other faculty and staff dedicated to improving student learning and success.

The last Focus on Engagement event took place on 11 June 2024. .

Image of a group of students and faculty engaging in a discussion in front of a laptop

Highlights of recent events

Focus on Academic Integrity Day 2024

Focus on UDL Day 2024

Focus on Teaching Conference 2024

Focus on Maajiishkaadaa 2024