{"id":22,"date":"2022-06-22T12:13:44","date_gmt":"2022-06-22T16:13:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/upeiteachingandlearningguide\/chapter\/2-teaching-culture-and-initiatives-at-upei\/"},"modified":"2026-07-10T10:37:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T14:37:41","slug":"2-teaching-culture-and-initiatives-at-upei","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/upei_teaching_and_learning_guide\/chapter\/2-teaching-culture-and-initiatives-at-upei\/","title":{"raw":"Teaching Culture and Initiatives at UPEI","rendered":"Teaching Culture and Initiatives at UPEI"},"content":{"raw":"
\r\n

UPEI\u2019s mission<\/a> is \u201cto encourage and assist people to acquire the skills, knowledge, and understanding necessary for critical and creative thinking, and thus prepare them to contribute to their own betterment and that of society through the development of their full potential.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

UPEI\u2019s vision, moving forward, remains steadfast\u2014<\/i><\/b>UPEI aspires to transform lives and communities through lifelong learning. With teaching and research at the heart of our identity, UPEI connects the Island and the world, supporting students as they explore their interests, abilities, and strengths in pursuit of their academic and personal growth. Together, we share the purpose of making our world a better place.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\nThe UPEI Strategic Plan (2025\u20132030)<\/a>\u00a0outlines three strategic pillars for UPEI\u2014Thriving People and Communities; Innovative and Connected Teaching, Research, and Scholarship; and Sustainability\u2014as well as the commitments and goals for each pillar. Together, they form UPEI\u2019s strategic direction for the next five years.<\/span>\r\n

Education to promote understanding of Indigenous history and culture and issues around equity, diversity, and inclusion are two important areas of focus for UPEI.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Background from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada website<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

For over 150 years, residential schools operated in Canada. Over 150,000 children attended these schools. Many never returned. Often underfunded and overcrowded, these schools were used as a tool of assimilation by the Canadian state and churches. Thousands of students suffered physical and sexual abuse. All suffered from loneliness and a longing to be home with their families. The damages inflicted by these schools continue to this day. In 2009, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada began a multi-year process to listen to Survivors, communities and others affected by the Residential School system.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

The report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada was published in 2015 with a number of calls to action directed at higher education.\u00a0 Added to this are the calls to justice from the 2019 National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.\u00a0 The journey of truth and reconciliation is far from over and UPEI is committed to advancing reconciliation through higher education.<\/p>\r\n

As a community, we have started a journey of growth to realize the role we must play in promoting an understanding of Indigenous history and culture, and supporting respectful relationships. UPEI recognizes that discussions in this era of truth and reconciliation will unveil difficult facts within our country\u2019s history. However, in keeping with our institutional vision, we know that education is vital to understanding the history of colonialism and the forward-looking process of reconciliation. One of the UPEI's core values addesses our ongoing commitment to reconciliation, aligning with the UPEI Indigenous Strategic Framework and Initiatives,\u00a0<\/span>Pesk\u2019tek\u2014The Path Ahead: The Journey to Reconciliation and Action Reform<\/em><\/a>. UPEI\u2019s Elder in Residence, July Clark, is a Mi\u2019kmaq woman from Epekwitk and a member of Abegweit Mi\u2019kmaw Nation. Dr. Corinne Chappell is Director of L'nu Relations and Reconciliation.<\/span> They work closely with the Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research and Applied Studies<\/a>\u00a0 and the Mawi\u2019omi Indigenous Student Centre<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

A second important focus at UPEI is equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). The UPEI Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee was established in October 2019, with a mandate to review, and provide input into, the development and implementation of an institutional equity, diversity, and inclusion strategy. In addition, the steering committee provides input and advice regarding issues, practices, and opportunities to promote and implement equity, diversity, and inclusion measures, programs, or initiatives. Following broad consultations, the Institutional EDI strategy<\/a> was developed and shared shared with the campus community in winter 2021. The EDI strategy \u201cprovides our learning community with focus areas to build awareness, knowledge, and actions to enable continuous improvements in equity, diversity, and inclusion on our campus and within our larger communities\u201d.\u00a0 In December 2021, an independent third-party investigation of an allegation concerning the former president and a review of the University\u2019s workplace policies and practices with respect to harassment and discrimination was initiated. The University of Prince Edward Island Review was released in June 2023 with a number of recommendations aimed at improving the workplace culture and learning environment on campus.\u00a0 Following this an Action Plan was developed to implement the recommendations.\u00a0 Information on UPEI's progress can be found on on this hub of documents, resources and communications.\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n

Working together, we must use knowledge as a catalyst for meaningful change on campus and in communities here in Prince Edward Island and around our world.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

\r\n

You will find, therefore, that much of the conversation around teaching at UPEI is focused on how best to engage students. Understanding and responding to students\u2019 current realities, needs, and long-term goals, focusing on learning-centred teaching, and fostering and celebrating innovation in education are all part of teaching practice at UPEI.<\/p>\r\n

How can we engage students in large classes that are often lecture-based? How do we provide students with learning experiences outside the classroom setting so that learning is connected to the outside world and becomes relevant and meaningful? What is the role of Gen AI in our classes? These are some questions that are being discussed within the teaching community at UPEI. Conversations with colleagues are good starting places for entering into dialogue about ways to make your teaching practice more engaging for students.<\/p>\r\n

The University has a number of teaching and learning initiatives rooted in these priorities, the overarching institutional mission, and requests from students for flexibility and improved course access. Below you will find links to some of these initiatives.<\/p>\r\n

The Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) fosters a culture of scholarship around teaching and learning by providing opportunities for faculty and instructional staff to reflect on and improve their pedagogical expertise. The TLC supports your professional development goals by coordinating opportunities and events as well as creating and curating timely resources that focus on teaching and learning. One-to-one consultations for faculty and instructional staff are also available. Reviewing the Teaching and Learning Centre website<\/a>, \u00a0monthly newsletters<\/a>, the Instructional Resources Hub<\/a> and the blog<\/a> will also give you a sense of the focus of conversation about teaching and learning at UPEI.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"

\n

UPEI\u2019s mission<\/a> is \u201cto encourage and assist people to acquire the skills, knowledge, and understanding necessary for critical and creative thinking, and thus prepare them to contribute to their own betterment and that of society through the development of their full potential.\u201d<\/p>\n

UPEI\u2019s vision, moving forward, remains steadfast\u2014<\/i><\/b>UPEI aspires to transform lives and communities through lifelong learning. With teaching and research at the heart of our identity, UPEI connects the Island and the world, supporting students as they explore their interests, abilities, and strengths in pursuit of their academic and personal growth. Together, we share the purpose of making our world a better place.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The UPEI Strategic Plan (2025\u20132030)<\/a>\u00a0outlines three strategic pillars for UPEI\u2014Thriving People and Communities; Innovative and Connected Teaching, Research, and Scholarship; and Sustainability\u2014as well as the commitments and goals for each pillar. Together, they form UPEI\u2019s strategic direction for the next five years.<\/span><\/p>\n

Education to promote understanding of Indigenous history and culture and issues around equity, diversity, and inclusion are two important areas of focus for UPEI.<\/p>\n

\n

Background from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada website<\/strong><\/p>\n

For over 150 years, residential schools operated in Canada. Over 150,000 children attended these schools. Many never returned. Often underfunded and overcrowded, these schools were used as a tool of assimilation by the Canadian state and churches. Thousands of students suffered physical and sexual abuse. All suffered from loneliness and a longing to be home with their families. The damages inflicted by these schools continue to this day. In 2009, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada began a multi-year process to listen to Survivors, communities and others affected by the Residential School system.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada was published in 2015 with a number of calls to action directed at higher education.\u00a0 Added to this are the calls to justice from the 2019 National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.\u00a0 The journey of truth and reconciliation is far from over and UPEI is committed to advancing reconciliation through higher education.<\/p>\n

As a community, we have started a journey of growth to realize the role we must play in promoting an understanding of Indigenous history and culture, and supporting respectful relationships. UPEI recognizes that discussions in this era of truth and reconciliation will unveil difficult facts within our country\u2019s history. However, in keeping with our institutional vision, we know that education is vital to understanding the history of colonialism and the forward-looking process of reconciliation. One of the UPEI’s core values addesses our ongoing commitment to reconciliation, aligning with the UPEI Indigenous Strategic Framework and Initiatives,\u00a0<\/span>Pesk\u2019tek\u2014The Path Ahead: The Journey to Reconciliation and Action Reform<\/em><\/a>. UPEI\u2019s Elder in Residence, July Clark, is a Mi\u2019kmaq woman from Epekwitk and a member of Abegweit Mi\u2019kmaw Nation. Dr. Corinne Chappell is Director of L’nu Relations and Reconciliation.<\/span> They work closely with the Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research and Applied Studies<\/a>\u00a0 and the Mawi\u2019omi Indigenous Student Centre<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A second important focus at UPEI is equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). The UPEI Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee was established in October 2019, with a mandate to review, and provide input into, the development and implementation of an institutional equity, diversity, and inclusion strategy. In addition, the steering committee provides input and advice regarding issues, practices, and opportunities to promote and implement equity, diversity, and inclusion measures, programs, or initiatives. Following broad consultations, the Institutional EDI strategy<\/a> was developed and shared shared with the campus community in winter 2021. The EDI strategy \u201cprovides our learning community with focus areas to build awareness, knowledge, and actions to enable continuous improvements in equity, diversity, and inclusion on our campus and within our larger communities\u201d.\u00a0 In December 2021, an independent third-party investigation of an allegation concerning the former president and a review of the University\u2019s workplace policies and practices with respect to harassment and discrimination was initiated. The University of Prince Edward Island Review was released in June 2023 with a number of recommendations aimed at improving the workplace culture and learning environment on campus.\u00a0 Following this an Action Plan was developed to implement the recommendations.\u00a0 Information on UPEI’s progress can be found on on this hub of documents, resources and communications.\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Working together, we must use knowledge as a catalyst for meaningful change on campus and in communities here in Prince Edward Island and around our world.<\/p>\n

\n

You will find, therefore, that much of the conversation around teaching at UPEI is focused on how best to engage students. Understanding and responding to students\u2019 current realities, needs, and long-term goals, focusing on learning-centred teaching, and fostering and celebrating innovation in education are all part of teaching practice at UPEI.<\/p>\n

How can we engage students in large classes that are often lecture-based? How do we provide students with learning experiences outside the classroom setting so that learning is connected to the outside world and becomes relevant and meaningful? What is the role of Gen AI in our classes? These are some questions that are being discussed within the teaching community at UPEI. Conversations with colleagues are good starting places for entering into dialogue about ways to make your teaching practice more engaging for students.<\/p>\n

The University has a number of teaching and learning initiatives rooted in these priorities, the overarching institutional mission, and requests from students for flexibility and improved course access. Below you will find links to some of these initiatives.<\/p>\n

The Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) fosters a culture of scholarship around teaching and learning by providing opportunities for faculty and instructional staff to reflect on and improve their pedagogical expertise. The TLC supports your professional development goals by coordinating opportunities and events as well as creating and curating timely resources that focus on teaching and learning. One-to-one consultations for faculty and instructional staff are also available. Reviewing the Teaching and Learning Centre website<\/a>, \u00a0monthly newsletters<\/a>, the Instructional Resources Hub<\/a> and the blog<\/a> will also give you a sense of the focus of conversation about teaching and learning at UPEI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"menu_order":2,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-22","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":3,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/upei_teaching_and_learning_guide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/22","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/upei_teaching_and_learning_guide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/upei_teaching_and_learning_guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/upei_teaching_and_learning_guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/upei_teaching_and_learning_guide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/22\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":136,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/upei_teaching_and_learning_guide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/22\/revisions\/136"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/upei_teaching_and_learning_guide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/3"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/upei_teaching_and_learning_guide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/22\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/upei_teaching_and_learning_guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/upei_teaching_and_learning_guide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=22"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/upei_teaching_and_learning_guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=22"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/upei_teaching_and_learning_guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=22"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}