Learning Innovation: The Teaching & Learning Podcast

“How can we produce food... and reduce our footprint?” – John Derksen, Chair of the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence

John Derksen, Chair of the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence, and Dr. Nick Savidov, Senior Research Scientist at the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence take us on a deep dive into aquaponics!

They explain how their aquaponics facility works, including their state-of-the-art biofiltration technology that’s taking reduce, reuse, recycle to a whole new level. With a proper set up, aquaponics creates a synergistic ecosystem where fish, plants, and microorganisms can thrive indefinitely.

John and Nick also share about upcoming applied research projects, and about their microcredential series which have garnered the interest of – and collaboration with – the largest aquaponics association in the world.

References:

• Peruse Aquaponics Microcredentials here!
• Aquaculture Centre of Excellence
• Difference between aquaculture, hydroponics, and aquaponics:
  • Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms like fish, shrimp, or aquatic plants in controlled environments, such as tanks or ponds, for food or commercial purposes.
  • Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, where roots are submerged in a nutrient-rich water solution or grow in soilless media using nutrient solutions.
  • Aquaponics is a symbiotic ecosystem combining aquaculture (raising fish), hydroponics (growing plants without soil), and microorganisms. Fish waste provides nutrients for plants and microorganisms, and the plants and microorganisms purify the water for the fish.
• VR – Virtual reality
• RAS – Recirculating aquaculture system
• A drum filter in aquaponics is a mechanical filtration system that uses a rotating drum to separate solid waste from liquid waste.
• An oxygenator in aquaponics adds oxygen to the water, helping fish breathe and promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria that break down fish waste into nutrients for plants.
• A biofilter in aquaponics harbours bacteria (nitrifiers) that convert toxic ammonia into nitrate through a two-step process.
• A bioreactor in aquaponics is a chamber that utilizes aerobic microorganisms to break down and liquify all solid fish waste that is separated and collected from the system. Aerobic is key, as most bioreactors are anaerobic.
• A trickling (carbon) filter in aquaponics is both a mechanical and self-regenerating biofilter where water trickles over a physical medium (such as charcoal) and slowly drains through. Microorganisms colonize this medium and help to break down harmful (typically liquid) fish waste, such as ammonium, and mineralize finer organic particles as it passes through. Finer solid particles are filtered out in the process, producing crystal-clear water.
• Water polishing in aquaponics is the process of removing any remaining particles or impurities from the water to ensure it's clean and clear for both fish and plants.
• Filter backwashing in aquaponics is the process of reversing the flow of water through a filter to remove accumulated debris and waste. This process isn’t needed in a properly functioning aquaponics system!
• Aerobic – with oxygen
• Anaerobic – without oxygen
• University of Alberta
• Dr. Basil Andrew Keddie
• Examples of other applied research projects at the college:
  • E24: An Exploration of Immersive Technology Inspiring Lifelong Movement
  • E33: Immersive Storytelling – The Battle of Belly River
• Comparing HSP with LED lighting (by Stouch Lighting Staff, LED lighting sellers)
  • HPS – high-pressure sodium
  • LED – light-emitting diode
    • High Bay LED lighting is an energy-efficient fixture design that brightly illuminates large indoor spaces with high ceilings, such as warehouses or factories, using long-lasting LED technology
• Canola Council of Canada
• SOP – standard operating procedure
• E. coli (Wikipedia)
• University of Georgia – Interdisciplinary team for aquaponics
• CTLI – Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation
• The Aquaponics Association
• CARIE – Centre for Applied Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
  • Agriculture, Food, and Environment
  • CARIE client intake form
• Grab a bottle of the Aquaculture Centre’s plant superfood fertilizer from two places:
  • Lethbridge College Bookstore
  • Google Maps location of Granary Road (just south of Calgary, AB)
    • Read more about Lethbridge College’s Aquaponics plant food on this page (scroll to the bottom)
• Check out Aquaponics photos below ⬇️

Doctor Bhuvinder Vaid, an Education Developer from Capilano University, and Doctor Gwen Nguyen and Britt Dzioba who are Advisors on the Learning and Teaching team at BCcampus, join the pod for a sustained conversation around positionality. This trio dives deeply into this concept, and explores how positionality is a practice that can break down equity barriers and help students feel a greater sense of inclusivity and belonging in their learning environments. Bhuvinder, Britt and Gwen share how to craft a positionality statement, and how taking this reflexive step in your teaching practice can help you and your students relate with each other, and even foster deeper community in your classroom.

During the episode, Gwen, Bhuvinder, Britt and Donna (host) mention:

• BCcampus
• Capilano University
• Gwen & Bhuvinder’s FLO Friday Webinar: Where to Position Positionality in Your Work
• Positionality versus Intersectionality
• UBC – University of British Columbia
• University of Victoria
• BC Ministry of Children and Family Development
• Instructor Certification Program (ICP) at Lethbridge College
• Universal design for learning (UDL)
• Bringing the Practice of Positionality into Teaching and Learning by Britt Dzioba
• This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do The Work (by Tiffany Jewell)
• Haiku – a Japanese form of poetry with 3 lines: the first line contains 5 syllables, the second contains 7 syllables, and the last line contains 5 syllables
• Reflect on Your Positionality to Ensure Student Success by Christine Harrington
• SoTL - Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
• “Hope is like a road in the country, there is never a road but when people walk on it, the road comes into existence” a variation of the poem by Lin Yutang
• Community of Practice
• Lillooet (Stʼatʼimc)
• Squamish
• Musqueam
• Sechelt (shíshálh nation)
• Tsleil-Waututh
• Halkomelem (also known as Burnaby, BC)
• Lekwungen
  • Esquimalt and Songhees(also known as Victoria, BC)
• míqәn (Beacon Hill Park)
• See Britt's Digital Positionality Collage below ⤵️

Joshua Hill, an instructor at Lethbridge College, shares about his exciting course-build on Environmental Psychology and Conservation.

Josh explains how this course can help students better understand the psychological motivations in choosing certain behaviours over others in wildlife settings and interactions.

Because the topic is so broad, Josh found it challenging to wrangle his ideas into a manageable course – and this is where he appreciated help from CTLI and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL).

Through personalized guidance, and access to SoTL, Josh was able to focus his idea into meaningful and digestible content. This will ultimately enable students to graduate with practical, applicable skills for their industry.

During the podcast, Josh and Donna mention:

• The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)
• E19: How the Trades Fosters Critical Thinking and Lifelong Learning in the Community (Josh's last appearance on the LITL-Pod)
• Scenic Drive, Lethbridge Alberta (this roadway connects north and south Lethbridge)
• Runner's Soul
  • ExploreYQL
• Waterton Biosphere Region
  • Alberta invests in program to stop grizzlies from wandering onto farms (CBC News)
• Banff bear attack 2023 (Trigger warning: this article contains details that may be disturbing)
• Tim’s – Tim Hortons
• Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation (CTLI)
• ChatGPT
• Jaddon Park
• Brianne Hutchinson
• Alberta Parks
• CBC – Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
• Environmental Psychology and Conservation will be an elective course for the following Lethbridge College programs:
  • General Arts and Science
  • Natural Resource Compliance (NRC)
  • Conservation Enforcement – Bachelor of Applied Science
  • Environmental Sciences degree programs
• Environmental Psychology and Conservation is housed in CBAS – Cognitive-Behavioural Avoidance Scale
• Social Psychology definition (American Psychological Association)
• Are you an instructor who is interested in building a course? You might be eligible for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Reach out to CTLI to chat!

Nelson Lateeph, host of Under The Bridge – Tha Podcast, sits down with Donna and Jordana to talk about his experience moving to Lethbridge with his family from Cape Town, South Africa.

Nelson is passionate about social development in the city, and has some practical ideas on how international students (and newcomers in general) can get more involved with their community to foster a greater sense of joy and belonging.

During this conversation, Donna, Nelson, and Jordana mention:

• Under The Bridge - Tha Podcast
• Cape Town, South Africa
• Motivational speaker in Lethbridge – Kimberly Lyall: Life Is An Adventure | Under The Bridge Tha Podcast | Ep.09
• Downtown Lethbridge: Festival Square
• BRZ - Business Revitalization Zone
• Heart of Our City Committee
• Lethbridge Soccer Association
• University of Lethbridge
• Black History Month
• African diaspora
• Pan-Africanism
• Malcolm X
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Rosa Parks
• Creative videographer & mentor – Michael Worf: Coalbanks' Love Letter To Lethbridge | Under The Bridge Tha Podcast | Ep.05
• Temptations restaurant, Bar, Lounge & Nightclub
• CASA
• The Galt Museum & Archives
• SAE – Southern Alberta Ethnic Association (Multicultural Centre)
• Gatsby (sandwich)
• “If the mountain will not come to Mohammed, Mohammed will go to the mountain” essentially means: “If things aren’t going your way, you’ll have to adjust the way they are.”
• Jarred Garrick from ROVÜ: Spaces That Inspire | Under The Bridge Tha Podcast | Ep.02

In this thought-provoking episode, we recognize Black History Month (BHM) with a meaningful panel discussion featuring Lethbridge College students: Sharon Boit, Susan Samaila, and Raihau-Milz Izonyobore.

The trio discuss the significance of BHM events at the college, and share heart-felt dialogue about Black culture and identity, including influences like language, education, tradition, and intersectionality.

During the episode, Sharon, Susan, Raihau, and Donna (host) mention:

• List of BHM events at Lethbridge College
• LCSA – Lethbridge College Student Association
• General Arts and Science – Pre-Social Work Major planning guide
• Administrative Office Professional program at Lethbridge College
• Criminal Justice - Policing program at Lethbridge College
• How to make Nigerian scrambled eggs (3-minute video)
• BHM meal kit pickup – Eastern African meal (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Congo, Sudan)
  • Register for a meal kit HERE
• Kenya (Google Maps)
• Utamaduni Day – a celebration of all the cultures in Kenya
• Cultural appropriation
• Mursik (fermented milk)
• Nigeria (Google Maps)
• FGM – Female genital mutilation
• Burundi (Google Maps)
• Intersectionality
• International Services at Lethbridge College
• Third Places (spaces)
• The Cave – a safe, inclusive student hangout spot at the college
  • Thirsty Thursday
• Diwali: Festival of Lights
• Lethbridge Buchanan Library
• Wellness Services at Lethbridge College
• LCSA Food bank for students
• East African Pilau – Kenyan pilau
• Nigerian Jollof Rice
• Kenyan Chapati | Chapo recipe
• Canadian Pow Wow calendar
• Grand Prairie Police Service

Alexander McEwan, an aspiring K-12 teacher set to graduate with his bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Lethbridge, shares about his unique teaching practicum last semester at Chinook High School.

Along with running an AI research project, Alex explored creative ways to introduce his students to generative AI. Using tools like Class Companion and ChatGPT, Alex showed his students how to simplify dense text, clarify concepts through metaphors and analogies, and assess their knowledge through interactive conversations with AI – i.e., his “AI Socratic Seminar Assignment”.

Alex goes into depth about this experimental assignment that, through a creative ChatGPT prompt, sparked conversations that helped students think critically and get targeted real-time feedback.

During the podcast, Alex and Donna (host) mention:

• University of Lethbridge
  • Bachelor of Education
• Chinook High School in Lethbridge, Alberta
• Generative AI – a category of artificial intelligence that creates new content, such as text, images, or music, by learning patterns from existing data and generating output that is similar or inspired by that data.
• Class Companion
• ChatGPT
• Socrates
• OpenAI
• French Revolution
• Alex’s AI Socratic Seminar Assignment ChatGPT prompt to assess students’ understanding: As an expert in the Socratic method, assess my knowledge and understanding by asking me one question at a time about _______. Ask me a series of questions to measure my understanding of _______. Ask follow-up questions when I show shallow understanding or vagueness in my response. Once you are confident you know my level of understanding, please stop the conversation and give me some productive feedback on my responses. Do you understand?
• Treaty of Versailles
• Academic integrity – the ethical practice of honesty, fairness, and ethical conduct in all aspects of academic work, including research, writing, and assessments, to uphold the values and standards of educational institutions.
• "Ableist" refers to discriminatory attitudes, behaviors, or beliefs that discriminate against or marginalize individuals with disabilities, reinforcing prejudices or stereotypes about their abilities and worth.
• “Burstiness” in AI – the phenomenon where a system or model produces a sudden and concentrated burst of responses, often due to the presence of specific input patterns or triggers, rather than maintaining a consistent or balanced output (read Sherice Jacob’s article: Perplexity and Burstiness in Writing).
• 21st-century learner – an individual who embraces digital literacy, critical thinking, adaptability, and collaboration skills to effectively navigate and succeed in the evolving and technology-driven learning environments of the 21st century.
• PIP – Professional Inquiry Project
• Destination Exploration (University of Lethbridge science camp)
• Piikani Nation
• Kainai Nation – Blood Tribe

“Recognize that unlearning is the highest form of learning.” – Rumi

Liz Cernigoy, chair of Lethbridge College's nursing program, and nursing instructor Danielle Aitkens expand on the recent effort to rebuild the college’s nursing curriculum with a focus on EDI. The pair explore ideas around how we teach, and how students learn so that more learning styles can be accommodated.

By teaching from a place of humility, Liz and Danielle hope to graduate students who will not only flourish as professionals and affect positive changes in their communities, but also recognize their inherent biases, and stretch their thinking as they grow and evolve as people.

During the podcast, Liz, Danielle, and Donna (host) mention:

• TRC – Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
• University of Lethbridge
• Intersectionality
• EDI – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Health and Wellness Programs at Lethbridge College
• Alberta Health Services
• Covenant Health
• CASN – Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing
• The CASN Biennial Canadian Nursing Education Conference 2023
• STATEMENT– CASN apologizes to Indigenous peoples of Canada for colonial harms resulting from nursing education (Dec. 11. 2023)
• NESA – Nursing Education in Southwestern Alberta (Bachelor of Nursing)
• White privilege
• Story Theory (journal article)
• Tokenism
• Hi-Fi (high-fidelity) Simulation
• Gamification
• Talking Circles (journal article)
• Land-based learning
• Indigenous Policing Microcredentials
  • Listen to how these microcredentials were developed on E:48
• Niitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy)
• Positionality (statement)

Jaclyn Doherty, dean of Lethbridge College’s Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation, celebrates our 50th episode with us! She and Donna commiserate over past episodes and discuss the evolving strategies that influence Jackie's efforts to foster an agile and collaborative culture within CTLI.

This episode is dedicated to our dear friend and colleague, Melissa Reed Boogaart. She was a warm and loving person whom we’ll greatly miss. This one’s for you, Melissa. <3

During the episode, Jackie and Donna mention:

• Most-memorable episodes:
  • E12: Bonus episode – 16 Hours more Innovative but 40% Wrong (Ben O'Hara and Tim Moss Australia CTL)
  • E11: Workplace Integrated Learning (WIL), Virtual and Augmented Reality, and creating environments to thrive in (Eric and Spencer with their instructor, Kris Hodgeson-Bright)
  • E41: How ChatGPT is Evolving the Way We Teach and Assess Academic Writing (Dr. Alec Couros)
  • E38: STUDENT PANEL – Cherishing the Cultural and Community Connections of Black History Month (Black History Month student panel interview)
  • E39: A Critical Look at ChatGPT in Education – How Natural Language Processors are Shifting Our Perspective on Teaching, Learning and Assessments (Dr. Brenda McDermott on AI and academic integrity)
  • E47: Updates in STEM – Sparking real-world connections between K-12 and the Trades to foster early career passions (STEM project)
  • E49: Generative AI and instructional design: Emphasizing the process of learning over the product of learning (Kristin and Craig talking about generative AI)
• Jackie’s doctoral dissertation: A Blueprint for Promoting Innovation, Interdisciplinary Teamwork, and Collaboration
• Western University
• Lewin’s 3-Stage Model of Change Theory: Overview
• Design Thinking
• Systems Thinking
• ChatGPT
• Educause
  • Horizon Reports
• Future Today Institute
• LinkedIn Learning
• Reskilling in the Age of AI (Harvard Business Review)
• Begin with Trust by Frances X. Frei and Anne Morriss (Trust Triangle = Logic + Authenticity + Empathy)

Kristin Bond and Craig McCarthy, instructional designers at Lethbridge College, join the pod to talk about their experimentation using generative AI to help build course rubrics. The pair discuss how ChatGPT saves hours on tedious, low-level tasks, and creates opportunities for more creative, higher-level thinking in course development. Craig and Kristin pose thoughtful questions about a more reflective learning process, and how, through open dialogue, instructors and students can navigate how to use generative AI, both in project work and in assessment methods.

During the recording, Craig, Kristin, and Donna (host) mention:

• UDL – Universal Design for Learning
• University of Lethbridge
• SAMR – Substitution, augmentation, modification, redefinition
• SAMR and AI Chatbots
• Grammarly
• Teaching Writing with Generative AI by Leon Furze (how generative AI is shifting how English instructors are grading writing)
• John Dewey’s Learning Theory: How We Learn Through Experience (the process of learning vs product of learning comes from John Dewy’s teaching philosophy)
• AI: the New Electricity? by Dr. Phillipa Hardman (she discussed reframing how we think of AI, not as technology but more as an infrastructure)
• Prompt engineering – giving generative AI context (such as a role) for what you’re asking. For example, a prompt could be: “You’re a marine biologist working on Vancouver Island. What are your top 5 climate change concerns regarding your industry?” Generally, the more context you can provide, the better your generative AI output will be.
• Try out Chat GPT! It’s so easy to try, and your experiments might surprise you. You could start with a prompt as simple as: “Hey it’s my first time here. Tell me what to ask you!”

Trudi Mason, dean of Justice and Human Services; Lowell Yellowhorn, manager of Indigenous services, and Mark Smallbones, instructor and placement advisor with the School of Justice Studies, discuss the massive community effort in developing Lethbridge College’s Indigenous Policing Microdcredentials.

This six-course suite was created by several key stakeholders with unique lenses, including members of the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy), Métis Nation, and Blood Tribe Police Service. These microcredentials are helping public safety officers (and anyone who takes them) better understand, empathize with, and serve Indigenous communities in southern Alberta.

During the episode, Trudi, Lowell, Mark, and Donna (host) mention:

• Indigenous Policing Microcredentials Suite:
  • History, Culture, and Reconciliation
  • Trust, Respect, and Communication
  • Human Trafficking
  • Intimate Partner Violence & Abuse of Elderly Persons
  • Sexual Abuse and Missing Persons
  • Drugs and Addictions in Indigenous Communities
• Blackfoot Confederacy
• Métis Nation
• Blood Tribe
• Blood Tribe Police Service
• Rolf Inquiry
• Inikiikawaiks – the people who go and catch people; catching people. This is a Blackfoot term some people use to describe the police
• RCMP – Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• Piikani Nation
  • Lone Fighter challenges (Lone Fighters divert Oldman)
  • LNID – Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District
• The Cardston Blockade of 1980 (2-minute news report)
• Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site
• Sundance: Blackfoot spirituality from a member of the Horn Society on Face to Face
• Red Crow College
• Kainai Peacemaking Center Sod Turning Ceremony (3-minute video)
• Stand Off, Alberta
• Chief Mountain (located in Montana, US, and visible from southern Alberta)
• TRC - Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
• Generational trauma refers to the emotional, psychological, or social wounds and adverse effects passed down through successive generations, often resulting from significant and traumatic events experienced by a community, family, or cultural group.
• Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement: A Guide for Officers and Their Families by Kevin M. Gilmartin
• FTO – Field Training Officer
• Dene
• Cree

Trudi, Lowell, Mark, and Donna thank everyone involved with the creation of the Indigenous Policing Microcredentials, including elders and Indigenous community members, Blood Tribe Police Service and leadership, Lethbridge College Indigenous Services and faculty, and finally, the Government of Alberta.