The Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Technology (CTLT) supports the UNBC community in their goal of delivering the best possible teaching and learning experiences. Areas in which support is provided include instructional technology, instructional design consultation, workshops and conferences, advocacy for teaching excellence, and professional development and mentoring.
Instructional Skills Workshops
The Instructional Skills Workshop provides a flexible experiential learning model where UNBC staff and faculty can learn and practice instructional tools that support the university’s focus on professional development related to a learner-centered environment, innovative pedagogical approaches, and student outcomes. The Instructional Skills Workshop also teaches skills in effectively receiving and giving feedback, which works to build a stronger community. The workshop is held over a 3 day period in the fall and/or spring.
Instructional Design Workshops and Consultations
CTLT instructional designers (Grant Potter, Shauna Stanyer, or Clarence Hofsink) offer regular workshops and consultations to assist with instructional challenges, technical mentoring, or special projects involving instructional technologies.
Faculty Peer Support and Mentoring
The CTLT offers individualized support to instructors of all experience levels. Our team can provide peer support designed to enhance and support teaching excellence at UNBC. This support is available to all UNBC instructors and is focused on improving teaching practices across the university.
AI Community of Practice
The AI Community of Practice platform supported by CTLT serves as a collaborative and intellectually engaging environment where faculty, students, and researchers can exchange knowledge, enhance their skills, and advance awareness of developments in artificial intelligence. Operating on a monthly meeting model, the community convenes regularly to discuss AI in educational technology, explore emerging trends in the broader AI landscape, and reflect on their implications for teaching, learning, and research. As one of CTLT’s signature platforms, the AI Community of Practice fosters dialogue, supports capacity building, and welcomes participants from across the university who share an interest in the evolving role of AI.
The UNBC AI Community of Practice aims to cultivate a vibrant, collaborative environment where members can share knowledge, enhance skills, and build awareness around emerging technologies. This community seeks to facilitate open exchanges of ideas, experiences, and best practices related to AI methodologies, while also providing meaningful opportunities for professional growth through workshops, seminars, and hands-on training. A key priority is to promote collaborative research initiatives that draw on the diverse expertise of members to address real-world challenges.
Additionally, the community strives to strengthen professional networks by fostering connections that may lead to partnerships, mentorship, and broader opportunities. Ethical considerations remain central, with ongoing discussions dedicated to issues such as bias, privacy, and accountability in AI. By inspiring innovation and the creative application of AI tools and techniques, the community encourages members to advance their work and contribute to their respective fields. The development and sharing of practical resources such as research papers, toolkits, and case studies further support the implementation of AI technologies across various contexts. Overall, the Community of Practice emphasizes inclusivity and engagement, ensuring that all members feel supported, valued, and motivated to participate actively in its initiatives.
Teaching Assistant (TA) Orientation at UNBC
The Teaching Assistant (TA) Orientation, facilitated by the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT), is a mandatory training program designed to prepare all new Teaching Assistants for their instructional roles at the University of Northern British Columbia. Offered multiple times each semester in hybrid, in-person and online formats, the orientation ensures equitable access for teaching assistants across regional campuses and accommodates varied academic and personal commitments.
The orientation establishes a foundational understanding of UNBC’s teaching and learning culture, serving as a benchmark for expectations in pedagogy, professionalism, and student support. Developed collaboratively by CTLT faculty, staff, and graduate students, the program equips new TAs with the knowledge and confidence needed to begin their teaching journey.
Core content delivered during the TA Orientation includes an introduction to the role and impact of TAs in student learning, followed by a comprehensive overview of time management practices. Participants learn how to interpret and negotiate the Graduate TA Workload Agreement, track hours effectively, plan weekly schedules, and anticipate periods of increased workload based on course syllabi. The session also covers key marking responsibilities, including consistency in grading, providing constructive feedback, managing student requests for remarking, and navigating academic integrity issues such as plagiarism.
The orientation further explores effective student–TA relations by highlighting strategies for fostering approachable, inclusive, and professional learning environments. TAs receive guidance on setting boundaries, communicating expectations, leading labs and tutorials, and addressing classroom challenges. In addition, the program addresses supervisor–TA relations, emphasizing communication, collaborative problem-solving, and avenues for support through CTLT, HR, and the Teaching Assistants’ Union.
By integrating practical skills, institutional expectations, and reflective teaching practices, the TA Orientation provides new TAs with a robust foundation to contribute meaningfully to teaching excellence at UNBC.
UNBC’s Annual Faculty and Staff Orientation:
Fostering Connection and Growing Together
Each year, the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) hosts a comprehensive Faculty and Staff Orientation designed to integrate new members into the university community and strengthen institutional cohesion. This collaborative initiative, led by Human Resources (HR) and the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT), reflects UNBC’s commitment to academic excellence, inclusivity, and professional development.
CTLT’s Role in Advancing Teaching and Learning Innovation is at the heart of this orientation is CTLT’s focus on elevating teaching and learning practices for Faculty. The Centre provides resources and expertise in curriculum design, educational technology, and evidence-based pedagogy. By integrating innovation with cultural responsiveness and inclusivity, CTLT ensures that teaching at UNBC remains both locally grounded and regionally relevant.
The orientation is structured as a hybrid event, connecting participants across all regional campuses. Over the course of a full day, attendees engage in sessions that illuminate UNBC’s mission, vision, and values, while providing practical insights into organizational structures and support systems. The program includes presentations from senior leadership, interactive discussions on institutional culture, and introductions to essential services such as student support, research resources, and workplace wellness. These elements collectively foster a sense of belonging and equip faculty and staff to navigate their roles effectively within the university’s dynamic environment.
CTLT plays a pivotal role by emphasizing teaching and learning innovation. Through dedicated sessions, the Centre showcases resources for curriculum design, educational technology, and faculty development, underscoring its mandate to advance pedagogical excellence and support scholarly engagement. Complementing this, HR provides critical guidance on career progression, workplace policies, and employee wellbeing, ensuring that participants have the tools to thrive professionally.
Beyond orientation day, UNBC sustains this developmental trajectory through ongoing workshops, learning cafés, and mentorship opportunities. By creating spaces for interdisciplinary collaboration and continuous learning, the university reinforces its identity as a community rooted in the North yet globally engaged. This annual event exemplifies UNBC’s holistic approach to onboarding one that not only informs but inspires, cultivating a culture of innovation, respect, and shared purpose.
CTLT initiatives ranging from faculty development workshops to communities of practice equip educators to deliver transformative learning experiences. CTLT also champions the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), fostering research-informed approaches that enhance student engagement and success.