Taylor Institute celebrates growth in teaching and learning at UCalgary

In spring 2016, the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning was launched to provide a space for innovation, community-building and research in teaching and learning, directly supporting the university’s Eyes High strategy.

Ellen Perrault, associate dean of teaching and learning from the Faculty of Social Work, attests to the Taylor Institute’s contributions to a campus-wide vision.

“The development of the TI has been critical for us to achieve the goals of our University’s 2012 Academic Plan,” she notes. “And the TI will be instrumental in leading us toward the success of our new Academic Plan. The TI acts as a foundation and connector for teaching quality across the institution. The initiatives put in place since the beginning of the Taylor Institute have created a shift in our entire culture towards a more teaching focused institution. For example, the scholarship of teaching and learning grants have transformed our faculties’ attention to be more focused on teaching scholarship.”

From 2016 to 2017, 55 university-level courses were taught by 22 different instructors in the Taylor Institute, attended by a total of 2,600 students. Comprehensive support is available to instructors and students as many of them learn to integrate the cutting-edge technology into their course design.

D’Arcy Norman, who manages the TI Learning Technologies Group, reflects on the growth: “Now that the building is complete, I’m starting to shift my role back toward enabling innovation and supporting communities more broadly across the university, in addition to using the Taylor Institute as a sandbox and research environment to try new things.”

In addition to supporting building operations, the Taylor Institute offers programming for new and experienced educators alike. Key events and programs from 2016-2017 include:

• The 2017 University of Calgary Conference on Postsecondary Learning and Teaching, which received 255 delegates from 26 institutions across Canada and internationally
• The University of Calgary Teaching Awards that involved 421 people from across campus who prepared 64 nomination packages (21 awards were presented)
• 201 programs, workshops and activities that were attended by a total 2,007 participants
• The 2017 University of Calgary Teaching and Learning Grants, in which 36 grants projects were awarded $749,972 of the available $750,000 in funding
• Launch of the College of Creativity, Discovery and Innovation and the pilot UNIV 201: Global Challenges

Learn more about the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning.