Advertise on podcast: Learning Innovation: The Teaching & Learning Podcast

What can lived experience teach us about justice, empathy, and preparing future professionals? In this episode of Learning Innovation: The Teaching and Learning Podcast, host Kris Hodgson-Bright speaks with Chelsey De Groot, author of I Shouldn’t Have to Play the Victim and a part-time instructor in Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Bachelor of Criminal Justice program. Drawing on her experience of domestic violence and navigating the justice system while working within it, Chelsey challenges assumptions about what a victim looks like and explores the gap between policy and practice. Their conversation connects these experiences to teaching and learning, highlighting how reflective practice, curiosity, and self-awareness can help students question assumptions, consider different perspectives, and develop sound professional judgment. Chelsey shares a message of hope and the potential for education and lived experience to inspire meaningful change. Content note: This episode discusses domestic violence and experiences within the justice system. Learn more about Chelsey and her book: https://www.roots-and-rise.org/book Lethbridge Polytechnic – Bachelor of Criminal Justice

What happens when an Indigenous community leads the conversation about misinformation involving Indigenous peoples, culture, and language? In this episode, host Kris Hodgson-Bright (Aapatohsipiksiiniistsi) speaks with Gloria Wells (Akohstikitstaki), Dr. Jami Albright-Tolman (Natosii Apaniimstakyaakii), Dr. Kirsten Fantazir (Anatsi’piiksaakii), Lainie Fuhrmann, and Megan Gros Ventre Boy (Iinakii) about Working Together, an applied research project led by the Ninastako Cultural Centre in partnership with Lethbridge Polytechnic. The project addresses the spread of false and misleading information about Indigenous peoples and explores how media literacy, education, culture, language, and community knowledge can help challenge stereotypes, build resilience, and support reconciliation. The guests discuss why Indigenous-led media literacy research is important, the role of Elders, Knowledge Keepers, artists, language speakers, students, and researchers, and what we can learn from listening to first-hand experiences of misinformation and racism. Most importantly, the conversation asks: How can we work together to recognize misinformation, challenge harmful narratives, and support greater understanding of Indigenous culture and perspectives? Ninastako CITAP Working Together CPSAR Harding, Robert. (2006). Historical representations of aboriginal people in the Canadian news media. Discourse & Society.  Calls to Action Two Eyed Seeing OCAP Principles 4 R’s of Research

What does it take to become a professional baker? In this episode of Learning Innovation: The Teaching and Learning Podcast, host Kris Hodgson-Bright steps inside the bakeshop at Lethbridge Polytechnic to explore the challenges, creativity, and rewards of learning the baking trade through apprenticeship and work-integrated learning (WIL). Joining the conversation are culinary instructor Amanda Kawchuk, third-level baking apprentice and instructional assistant Karl Atkins, and Level 3 culinary students Rachel Warken, Rowan Desserre, and Kathleen Klink. Together, they share stories from the kitchen, lessons learned through trial and error, and the pride that comes with mastering a craft built on precision, patience, and persistence. The episode explores the realities of culinary education, the value of mentorship, the pathway to Red Seal certification, and opportunities through competitions like Skills Alberta and Skills Canada. The conversation also touches on how artificial intelligence is beginning to shape the culinary world and what it could mean for future chefs and bakers. The Bear TV Show Apprenticeship AB Skills Alberta Skills Canada Provincial Skills Competition National Skills Competition Local Producers Gala Bootsma Bakery Alan Dumonceaux at NAIT

In this episode of Learning Innovation, host Kris Hodgson-Bright chats with Shawn Pinder and Brandon Regier of Runner's Soul about how running connects to education, personal growth, and community. They share stories from triathlons, Ironman races, ultras, and local events while exploring goal-setting, discipline, mental toughness, and the value of celebrating small wins. Lethbridge Polytechnic has strong connections to the community and this episode explores the connection to an integral part of the local running community. The guests highlight Runner's Soul's impact on Lethbridge's running scene, their support for Lethbridge Polytechnic's Kodiaks athletics, and practical advice for new runners: start where you are, get out the door, and let routine and community guide your progress. View this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/rxnhPXmHdTE?si=gtL6wj6Rl3FNioXr During the show, guests and Kris (host) mention: Runner's Soul  Prairie Runners Race Association Coulee Cactus Crawl Ladiesfest Little Souls Kids Marathon Lost Souls Ultra Moonlight Run Kodiak Athletics Bertil Johansson Simon Schaerz Iron Man Canadian Death Race Sinister Seven Bachelor of Ecosystems Management Diploma of Renewable Resource Management

Jill Burrows (psychology professor), Dean Kolebaba (instructor and Program Chair for the School of Justice Studies), and Lyle Ruggles (e-learning specialist) chat about the innovative teaching and learning pathways virtual reality (VR) is creating at Lethbridge Polytechnic. This trio discuss how they have integrated narrative-driven VR into their classrooms, including what's worked, what hasn't, and what new developments they'll continue to adopt in the future.  Jill, Dean, and Lyle share how VR technology is helping students practice public speaking and interpersonal communication skills in a safe environment, and how it’s helping to nurture greater empathy, compassion, and understanding for individuals struggling with mental health challenges (like autism and schizophrenia).  During the show, guests and Donna (host) mention: General Arts and Science - Psychology and Sociology Diploma   Therapeutic Recreation - Gerontology  Criminal Justice Studies  Justice Studies  Justice and Human Services Programs  Wind Turbine Technician  Massage Therapy program  Ovation VR  Chris Milk TED Talk: How virtual reality can create the ultimate empathy machine  Sharecare  MetaQuest

Monica, Aderiyike, Jude, and Divine — nursing students at Lethbridge Polytechnic — share their experiences of cultural identity and community support as they navigate (sometimes discriminatory) systems in Canada. The group discuss resilience and the importance of community for mental health and belonging, along with what they appreciate about Black History Month at Lethbridge Polytechnic. During the show, guests and host (Donna) mention: Practical Nursing at Lethbridge Polytechnic Yoruba tribe  Igbo tribe  LPSA – Lethbridge Polytechnic Student Association  Services Canada  Racial bias in pain assessment and treatment recommendations, and false beliefs about biological differences between blacks and whites  Jollof rice

“Ultimately, my focus is on making space for perspectives that have historically been excluded and ensuring our work contributes to the systemic change.” ~ Dr. Kirsten Fantazir, Research Chair at Lethbridge Polytechnic  Dr. Kirsten Fantazir (Instructor and Research Chair at Lethbridge Polytechnic), and Dr. Jami Albright-Tolman (Instructor and Researcher), share about public safety applied research projects that are fostering connection with Blackfoot communities, and preparing students for careers in public safety.  Kirsten and Jami expand on Community Integration Through Art Pissatsinaskssini (CITAP), and how its Creative Circles can foster healing, trust, and reconciliation.   CITAP brings together Indigenous elders, students, and community partners to share meals, art, and cultural practices—and challenge stereotypes about houseless and vulnerable populations. Kirsten and Jami highlight early results, ethical practices, and the importance of authentic relationships and Indigenous ways of knowing.  During the show, guests and Donna (host) mention: CPSAR – Centre for Public Safety Applied Research  CITAP – Community Integration Through Art - Pissatsinaskssini Ninastako Cultural Centre  E05: Gamifying Grammar with Murray Bartley and Kirsten Fantazir E56: The positionality effect – Building empathy through reflection and transparency about your place in the world  Dude’s Club  Sir Robert Peel’s Policing Principles  Niitsitapi Eats and Treats  RAs (resident assistants) Tsimshian Haida RINSA  CI-CAN National Indigenous Education Symposium  First Thunder Wellness Criminal Justice at Lethbridge Polytechnic VR Core York Regional Police, Ontario  Bill C48  Social Determinants of Health

"We know WIL has this really magical ability to create a stronger connection between students and this community." ~ Perry Stein, City of Lethbridge Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Manager Dr. Natalie Barfuss (business instructor at Lethbridge Polytechnic) and Perry Stein (Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Manager at the City of Lethbridge) share the overwhelming benefits of WIL for students and their communities. Work-integrated learning (WIL) helps students develop skills like teamwork, collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking. These real-world skills help students step out more confidently into their careers. Because WIL allows students a glimpse into the community, these experiences can even kindle an interest in staying around Lethbridge after graduation. Natalie also shares how instructors can dip their toes in WIL experiences. Hint—it's easier than you think! During the show, Perry, Natalie, and Donna (host) mention: ☀️SUMMER BONUS☀️ E58: LITL-Pod LIVE – Preparing learners and shaping community through Work-Integrated Learning (WIL)  Lethbridge Polytechnic REB  Bachelor of Nursing Trades & Technologies School of Business  University of Lethbridge Mitacs University of Calgary  NorQuest College WIL Symposium CASA  Downtown BRZ  Universal Design for Learning Goal-setting theory City Scholars CEWIL Southgrow

"Teaching is not only about giving information, right? It's not about giving facts or explaining concepts or putting things together. It's creating a certain environment where learning is happening and I still think that humans are better at this than AI.” ~ Dr. Olga Klymenko  A recent study from MIT shows that over-reliance on LLMs for writing accumulates cognitive debt (weaker brain connectivity, less ownership over the finished product).   Dr. Olga Klymenko, instructor and language expert, is grappling with how to address over-reliance on AI writing in her classroom.  Olga doesn't believe in banning or even policing the use of AI. Instead, she believes the answer lies in choosing to engage—that is, aiming to be collaborators in the process of knowledge building.  Olga shares her insights, including:  Cultural mismatch and underrepresentation of voices for Indigenous languages Cognitive costs of AI shortcuts and the fallibility of AI-plagiarism checkers Winning trust with students about AI-use (showing limitations; creating learner agency)  During the show, Olga and host (Donna) mention: MIT Study: Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing Task  The small island state of Seychelles (Link lands you on Google Maps)  Seychelles Creole (Kreol Seselwa)  ChatGPT  University of Seychelles University of London  National University of Donetsk  Lethbridge Polytechnic  Navigating academic writing in the AI era: Lethbridge Polytechnic instructor offers insight  E49: Generative AI and instructional design: Emphasizing the process of learning over the product of learning

Dr. Brad Donaldson, President and CEO of Lethbridge Polytechnic, unpacks how the institution is navigating national shifts in post-secondary funding, and what it means to take control of our collective future as a PSI in Alberta. He shares practical strategies for ethical domestic recruitment, applied learning and research, and fostering a “critically kind” campus culture that empowers educators, supports students, and strengthens community impact. During the episode, Brad and Donna (host) mention: E35: Interview with the President ☎ Expert Panel on Post-Secondary Institution Funding and Alberta’s Competitiveness Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada New International Student Program regulations take effect Alex Usher’s Higher Education Strategy Associates Blog (One Thought to Start Your Day) That Alberta Post-Secondary Review, Again The President's View Alberta Labour Market Information Polytechnics Canada WIL: Work-integrated Learning WIL at Future Skills Centre Lethbridge Polytechnic programs and courses

Ryan Mann, Faculty Development Facilitator at SAIT’s Centre for Academic Development and Innovation, and Eric Mitchell, an Automotive Services Instructor at Lethbridge Polytechnic, are actively responding to teaching and learning gaps in the Trades through innovative—and technically scholarly—work. Despite the improvements they're making, Ryan and Eric don't really consider their work as scholarly—but framing it differently could amplify the impact. Ryan and Eric are joined by the polytechnic's Jaddon Park (Academic Services Manager) and Craig McCarthy (Learning Experience Designer). The four discuss the value of reframing work as scholarly, the power of integrating student feedback, and the joy in discovering creative ways to pass along knowledge.  During the show, guests and host (Donna) mention: SAIT: Southern Alberta Institute of Technology  Centre for Teaching and Learning  Academic Development and Innovation  Automotive programs Apprenticeship and Trades  Lethbridge Polytechnic  CTLI: Centre for Teaching, Learning, And Innovation ICP: Instructor Certification Program NIOP: New Instructor Orientation Program SoTL: Scholarship of Teaching and Learning LC Extension Community of Practice OER: Open Educational Resources Making the switch from textbooks to OERs: How (and why) one instructor made the change Automotive Services Technician Apprenticeship  Automotive Systems certificate  Introduction to the Trades  Electrician Apprenticeship   UDL: Universal Design for Learning  EAL: English as an Additional Language  ChatGPT Alberta Minister of Advanced Education  AIT: Apprenticeship and Industry Training  Registered Apprenticeship Program  STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics  The Fast and the Furious  Gone in 60 Seconds  Calgary Corrections Centre  Integration of Trades-Based STEM Education in Canadian K-12 Schools by Josh Hill  Kahoot  Bright Space (learning management system) LITL-Pod episodes:  E69: How to make online learning feel like in-person community – A creative course revision at Lethbridge Polytechnic  E66: 👍 Researcher’s Guide to the Galaxy – How to practically (and painlessly) share your research project, create meaningful impact, and find your community as a Networked Scholar  E55: Environmental Psychology and Conservation – An instructor's creative course-build through the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning  E47: Updates in STEM – Sparking real-world connections between K-12 and the Trades to foster early career passions  E29: How to Develop, Validate, and Disseminate Your Teaching and Learning Research Project through The Scholarship for Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Download Ryan's AI guidebook here: A Guide to Generative AI for Educators

Beyond the obvious benefits exercise has on your body, research shows that it has powerful benefits on your brain, too—like improved memory, attention, and processing speed. Simon Schaerz (Exercise Science instructor at Lethbridge Polytechnic), David Selles (Physical Education student from the University of Lethbridge), and Tyler Duffy (Exercise Science student at Lethbridge Polytechnic) discuss exercise cognition and its profound impacts on the brain—specifically, on executive functioning. Exercise cognition research could also be pivotal in helping prioritize physical education (PE) programs—especially in K-12, where PE's importance can often be minimized. During the show, guests and host (Craig) mention: Lethbridge Polytechnic  Exercise Science Program  Exercise-physiology class  Research Methods in Kinesiology class  DCM Program  University of Lethbridge  Physical Education Program  Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John J. Ratey  Embodied Cognition Theory  Central Governor Model and Fatigue  Cerebral hemodynamics  Synaptogenesis  Physical Activity and the Development of Executive Function in Healthy Children: A Bioecological Perspective by Simon Schaerz  Pedagogical knowledge model:  Content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and curricular knowledge  Progressive overload  Executive Function Zone of Proximal Development HPEC: Health & Physical Education Council  SSHRC: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council  ECSS: European College of Sports Science Tyler's games to promote executive functioning: Tic-Tac-Toe Pattern Pursuit Red Light, Green Light

Instructor Kathie Ervin and Instructional Designer Craig McCarthy collaborated to revamp Kathie's Distance Learning (DL) course in the Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology program.  The goal? Create a more hands-on learning experience for DL students.  Kathie and Craig outline their revision strategy, share stories about student creativity and community, and explain why they think the project was so successful. The pair also share tips on how other instructors can revamp their DL courses.  During the episode, Donna (host) and guests mentioned: Therapeutic Recreational Gerontology  CTLI – Centre for Teaching and Learning  UDL – Universal Design for Learning  WIL – Work-Integrated Learning  E68: WIL-Power – Connecting classroom theory with hands-on, Work-Integrated Learning  Student feedback audio on Kathie's TRG course

Students Cory, Adam, Lenae, and Maddie share all about their Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) experiences at Lethbridge Polytechnic.  No matter the program, classroom theory comes to life when students are paired with real-world scenarios – and the lessons are invaluable. Students discuss favourite moments and key insights from their WIL experiences. They also exchange strategies for navigating challenges like imposter syndrome – sometimes it helps to don a "suit"! During the show, guests and Donna (host) mention: Acronyms/definitions: WIL: Work-Integrated Learning  RN: Registered Nurse  NESA: Nursing Education in Southwestern Alberta Imposter syndrome Lethbridge Polytechnic Wellness Services Programs:  Ecosystem Management  Nursing (NESA) Criminal Justice – Corrections  Child and Youth Care  Wildlife Analytics Lab E63: Wildlife Analytics Lab – Lethbridge Polytechnic's hub of innovation and collaborative conservation WIL community connections: Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society   Galbraith Elementary School  Family Ties

Stone Pipe Days is a four-day event recognizing the pride, history, and culture of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) community here at Lethbridge Polytechnic. Jordan Head, Indigenous Cultural Advisor, is a key organizer for this year's Stone Pipe Days, and he joins us to share all about this special event. Jordan outlines the agenda (opening ceremonies, meals, guest speakers, films, a traditional powwow), and he expands on the meaningful partnership Stone Pipe Days represents between the Blackfoot people and the polytechnic. He also shares a piece of his personal journey, including how his family inspired and guided him toward education – which eventually led him full circle back to Lethbridge Polytechnic. During the show, Jordan and Donna (host) mention: Stone Pipe Days (March 24 – March 28, 2025):  Event schedule: Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan (Stone Pipe Days)  Movies/media: 500 Days in the Wild  Bones of Crows  E65: A'paitsitapisksinimaattsaa (Weasel People Education) – Revitalizing Blackfoot language and culture through land-based learning  Blackfoot Confederacy (Niitsitapi peoples):  Siksika (Blackfoot)  Kainai (Blood)  Kana (and A'kana) – Many chiefs or many leaders  Piikani (Peigan)  South Peigan  Notable works and how-tos:  A Contemporary Winter Count by Kerry M. Scott  Powwow Dances  How to take part in a round dance  Organizations/institutions:  National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation  Alberta Health Services  Treaty 7 Tribal Council  Assembly of First Nations  Indigenous and Northern Affairs  U of L (University of Lethbridge)  U of A (University of Alberta)  Lethbridge Polytechnic:  Val Matteotti Gym  The Cave  Business Administration Program  People, history, locations:  United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act  Indian Agents in Canada  Indian Act  Treaty 7  Dunbow Residential School Old Man River  St. Mary’s Reservoir  Trans Canada Trail  Jim Bennett  Troy Knowlton  Travis Plaited Hair