On February 20-22, 2019, teacher candidates from our BEd Program and Indigenous Teacher Education Program traveled to the University of Calgary to present at the 2019 Conference of the Western Canadian Association for Student Teaching (WestCAST). For many, it was their first time presenting at a conference. Take a look at their presentation descriptions.
Drawing Connections Between Western Educational Theories and Indigenous Worldviews and Pedagogies
Samantha Gilbert, Tom Owen (BEd Program)
This workshop will examine parallels between current educational theories, such as social and emotional learning, and Indigenous pedagogies. We will explore how our teaching practices may already reflect Indigenous ways of knowing and learning and identify pathways for integrating Indigenous knowledge in a culturally responsive and respectful way.
Inspiring Intrinsic Motivation in Elementary Science Class
Eilis Whelan (BEd Program)
This workshop will introduce educators to some hands-on, wow-factor science demonstrations that can be used as an introductory activity to capture the attention and imagination of students. Designed to inspire intrinsic motivation, these activities are a creative alternative to introducing a concept verbally.
Infusing Creative Movement into the Curriculum
Megan Friesen (BEd Program)
This dance based movement workshop will show how educators can teach curriculum competencies through creative movement. The workshop includes multiple lesson plans that cultivate movement literacy in dance through eurythmics, spatial awareness, and kinaesthetic response. From there, the workshop will provide a bridge between dance-inspired movement exercises and the core curriculum from K-7.
Connecting Imagination
Shane Love (BEd Program)
The paper aims to discuss the importance and methods of accessing imagination. Imagination is creativity and wonder held within the mind and, if liberated, it has the power to emotionally and cognitively impact every individual. Research will be presented that enables teachers to access their own and their students’ imagination.
Ready, Set, Action: Using Film in Foreign Language Class
Nicole Rocha (BEd Program)
My paper looks to detail how teachers can incorporate the use of film into their language classroom to inspire students to continue learning the target language and to foster connections between the student’s identity within the target language’s society and in a larger context, within the world.
Current events, the classroom and student needs: An eco-system for success and connection
Geetika Kaur Bhasin (BEd Program)
Discussion of current events in the classroom has a profound value in students’ development: it encourages reflection, inspiration and opportunity to be socially conscious. In some contexts, discussion of current events can be necessary, as a response to students’ needs (Higbee 2002). Thus, how may we encourage an integrated exploration into current events?
Incorporating Indigenous Perspectives in Outdoor Education
Brittany Seymour (Indigenous Teacher Education Program)
Outdoor education hash moved beyond a focus on nature, risk, and adventure to consider notions of pace, environment, sustainability, and social change. It is in this repositioning of outdoor education that this paper suggests opportunities for the incorporation of Indigenous perspectives drawing on the 4R’s of respect, relevance, responsibility, reciprocity.
Digital Good Relations in a Community-Based Indigenous Teacher Education Program
Jessica Creyke (Indigenous Teacher Education Program)
The paper reviews the challenges and benefits of blended learning experienced by Indigenous Teacher Candidates in a community-based Bachelor of Education (BEd) program. With this delivery model, Teacher Candidates complete their BEd at a Field Centre. Blended learning enhances Indigenous learning experiences and engagement with living in good relations.