• Collaborative Learning and Group Work

    Collaborative Learning and Group Work

    Group work helps students develop essential skills such as problem-solving, time management, communication, and feedback exchange. While it offers many benefits, some learners may find it uncomfortable. However, preparing learners, building community, selecting groups, and designing effective group work can enhance collaboration and create more positive experiences.

  • Digital Literacy: Ethical and Legal Considerations 

    Digital Literacy: Ethical and Legal Considerations 

    From ethical and legal perspectives, a digitally literate person will understand and abide by principles of privacy protection, inclusion, and accessibility in digital spaces, recognize when these principles are not being upheld, be aware that power inequalities can exist in digital spaces, and contribute to equitable and safer spaces.   

  • Digital Literacy: Information Literacy 

    Digital Literacy: Information Literacy 

    From an information literacy perspective, a digitally literate person will use critical thinking skills, which includes understanding how online information is produced, prioritized, and presented. A digitally literate person will also recognize that online information can provide different perspectives and ways of knowing and is aware of biases within online content and technology.   

  • Digital Literacy: Technology Supports

    Digital Literacy: Technology Supports

    From a technology supports perspective, a digitally literate person will explore new technologies with curiosity, have troubleshooting skills, and intentionally select appropriate tools for different tasks.

  • Digital Literacy: Tools and Resources for VIU

    Digital Literacy: Tools and Resources for VIU

    In 2023 the B.C.’s Post-Secondary Digital Literacy Framework was released. We have been working on a toolkit to help instructors learn more about the framework and how they can implement it in their classrooms.

  • Spoiler Alert: AI Detectors Don’t Work

    Spoiler Alert: AI Detectors Don’t Work

    Generative AI presents opportunities for learning but also challenges academic integrity. Some educators have turned to AI detectors, but these tools are unreliable and inaccurate, raising ethical concerns.

  • Early Feedback Service

    Early Feedback Service

    The Early Feedback Service is a mechanism for gathering feedback from your students around midterm—before it is too late to make changes that might improve your students’ learning experience this semester.

  • The AI Assessment Scale

    The AI Assessment Scale

    The AI Assessment Scale provides a structured approach to the integration of Gen AI in teaching and learning. Instructors can use the scale to clearly outline GenAI expectations, including permissible use, reasoning, and citation requirements for assignments.

  • Applying for teaching awards: perspectives from past winners

    Applying for teaching awards: perspectives from past winners

    Great teaching is at the core of what VIU is all about. Teaching awards are one of the ways that we celebrate great teaching. Whether it’s VIU’s own Provost Awards for Excellence in Teaching Design and Practice, or the provincial West Coast Teaching Excellence Award, or the Canada-wide 3M National Teaching Fellowship, teaching awards are…

  • Starting off the Semester with a Trauma-informed Syllabus

    Starting off the Semester with a Trauma-informed Syllabus

    As you prepare for the new semester, one thing you can do to welcome your students is refresh your syllabus in a trauma-informed way. Trauma-informed practice Trauma-informed practice has its origins in a number of disciplines and social movements including psychology, social work, counselling, child welfare, feminist theory and public health. As Maria Yellow Horse…

  • Student Orientation to VIULearn & Other Learning Tools – Spring 2025

    Student Orientation to VIULearn & Other Learning Tools – Spring 2025

    We offer live webinars to introduce students to the learning technologies available at VIU, especially our online course platform VIULearn. Go to our Events Calendar to view the schedule and register for a live orientation webinar! Otherwise, We recorded the orientation so you can watch it whenever is convenient & as many times as you’d…

  • GenAI Challenge Part 2: Showcasing Teaching and Learning Artifacts

    GenAI Challenge Part 2: Showcasing Teaching and Learning Artifacts

    The CIEL initiated a two-part Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) challenge this Fall. The first part, The Not-So-Scary Gen AI Image Competition, wrapped up last month. Now, for Part 2 of the GenAI Challenge, we invite you to share how you’ve integrated Generative AI into your teaching. Submit a teaching artifact that demonstrates your innovative use of…