Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning Research & Publications
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- ItemOpen AccessIndigenous students' learning in library spaces(2023-01-04) K. Alix Hayden; Susan Beatty; Cheryl Jeffs; Shauna RutherfordWe provide an overview of a two-phased study focused on undergraduate Indigenous students’ perspectives of learning in library spaces. We will delve into the participatory photography methods utilized, Photovoice and Photo Elicitation, describing the process used in each phase. Results presented are informed by the 5R’s for Indigenous Research Framework, sharing the themes generated through data analysis. Throughout our presentation, we will share the words and the photographs from the student co-researchers and participants.
- ItemOpen AccessWays to create ethical spaces to enhance learning for Indigenous students: A participatory photography study(2023-11-10) Cheryl Jeffs; Susan Beatty; K. Alix Hayden; Shauna RutherfordOur SoTL research was conducted at the Taylor Family Digital Library, University of Calgary, a Canadian research-intensive university. As librarians and educators, we wondered how Indigenous students perceived learning in library spaces. In collaboration with Indigenous students, our co-researchers and study participants, we redefined the research question: How can ethical spaces be created to enhance learning in a good way for Indigenous learners at the University of Calgary? Ermine (2007) defines ethical space as “a space between the Indigenous and Western thought worlds” to meet and work together to build engaging and enduring partnerships (p. 194). Using Photovoice and photo-elicitation methods, we collected students’ stories, then used NVivo software to analyze and interpret student interviews, photos, and discussions. Data illuminated the ways Indigenous students imagined ethical spaces for learning. These data align with the vision identified in the University’s Indigenous Strategy ii’ taa’poh’to’p: Ways of knowing (teaching, learning and research), ways of doing (policies, procedures and practice), ways of connecting (relationships, partnerships, connections to land and place) and ways of being (identity, inclusivity, leadership and engagement) (2017, p. 6) Addressing the conference’s theme of Context Matters, one of Felton’s SoTL principles, “grounded in context”, informed this work (2008, p. 122). A scoping review identified the global literature on library services and resources supporting Indigenous students’ learning, and the local context focused on Indigenous students’ perspectives of learning in informal spaces on our campus through participatory photography methods Our study provided Indigenous students an opportunity to explore ways of creating ethical spaces to support their learning, reflect, and contribute their knowledge. To move forward, recommendations and conclusions will serve to develop a plan for action. References Ermine, W. (2007). The ethical space of engagement. Indigenous Law Journal. 2007; 6(1):193–203. Felton, P. (2008). Principles of good practice in SoTL, Teaching and Learning Inquiry, 1(1), 121-125. https://doi.org/10.20343/teachlearninqu.1.1.121 University of Calgary (2017). ii’ taa’poh’to’p, Indigenous Strategy https://www.ucalgary.ca/live-uc-ucalgary-site/sites/default/files/teams/136/Indigenous%20Strategy_Publication_digital_Sep2019.pdf
- ItemOpen AccessApplying Felten's Principles of SoTL Practice to Transform Informal Learning Spaces for Indigenous Students(2022-11-04) Jeffs, Cheryl; Hayden, K. Alix; Beatty, Susan; Rutherford, ShaunaFelton’s (2013) Principles of good practice in SoTL were applied to a study with Indigenous students’ learning experiences in informal settings. The principles: Inquiry focused on student learning (P1); Grounded in context (P2); Methodologically sound (P3); Conducted in partnership with students (P4); and Going public (P5). P1: As a collaborative team of academic librarians and educators, we were curious “how do Indigenous students learn in informal spaces?” We set out to explore Indigenous undergraduate students’ experiences, preferences, and approaches to learning in informal spaces. P2: This SoTL inquiry was conducted at the University of Calgary, a research-intensive Canadian university, with a population of approximately 900 self-identified Indigenous students (2.7 % of the student population). Situated within our University’s Indigenous Strategy this commitment to transformation supports enhanced understanding of Indigenous students’ learning (Brown, 2019). P3: Methodologically sound: Participatory photography, including Photovoice and photo-elicitation methods, was selected as a research framework to explore with Indigenous students (Castleden et. al., 2008). As researchers and co-researchers, we learned together. Photovoice provided students the opportunity to actively engage by taking photos of spaces, documenting and reflecting on their learning and experiences. Photo-elicitation expanded on this with additional participants reflecting on how they learn in various spaces depicted in photos. P4: We intentionally recruited Indigenous students to be co-researchers and made this explicit (Cullinane & O'Sullivan, 2020). As partners we generated the research question, identified how we would work together, and planned the dissemination of our work. P5: The authors have presented at local, national, and international conferences, published two proceedings, and the open-access university platform. An e-book will be written and published by the researchers and student co-researchers. With the knowledge gained in this SoTL research we have data to implement the process of change at our university which advances the goals of the Indigenous strategy.
- ItemOpen AccessStudents as Partners in Higher Education: Perspectives and Practices(2024-01) Abegglen, S., Akhbari, M., Albright, S., Brown, B., Burns, T., Clancy, T. L., Din, C., Faunt, M., Gospodinov, J., Hill, J., Huenchullan, S. R., Kamal, S., McLaughlin, E., Nowell, L., Parker, S. I. A., Porter, A., Presiloski, A., Rozanski, C., Sinfield, S., Thomas, C., & Wolfe, K.; Arcellana-Panlilio, M.,; Jeffs, C.The purpose of this guide is to provide a practical and applied resource for instructors in higher education that focuses on SaP, drawing on University of Calgary Teaching Academy members’ wisdom from research-informed practice; to reflect diverse contexts, approaches and perspectives in higher education; and, to offer recommendations, considerations and implications to others who may be interested in implementing SaP in their practice.
- ItemOpen AccessInstitutional collaborations to support undergraduate research as experiential learning(2023-11-10) Flanagan, Kyla; Stowe, Lisa; Summers, Mindi; Murphy, James E.Changing a campus culture to have experiential learning become essential to the student experience requires extensive buy-in and support from the campus community (Stowe & O'Connell, 2022). The Office of Experiential Learning at the University of Calgary supports experiential learning institutionally, with a bold target of all students having at least two high-quality experiential learning opportunities during their academic studies (Kaipainen et al., 2020). At UCalgary, a large, research-intensive institution, undergraduate research is a signature form of experiential learning where students engage in hands-on research in collaboration with researchers. There are numerous benefits to students participating in research (for example, see Lopatto et al., 2020); however, a lack of incentives and training can limit faculty members' willingness to engage in pedagogical change (Brownell and Tanner 2017). In this panel discussion, we will describe the landscape and context of undergraduate research at UCalgary, programming that has supported more than 3500 students engaging in research initiatives over the last three years, and institutional-level collaborations that have facilitated a culture shift, increasing undergraduate research in curricular and co-curricular experiences. As a vital part of our work, we will describe extensive research to understand barriers to accessing experiential learning opportunities for deserving equity groups and ameliorative actions we have taken as a campus to increase accessibility (Stowe et al., 2022). Finally, we will discuss the challenges and successes faced in expanding undergraduate research and experiential learning opportunities in our context institutionally and explore with participants how our experiences may translate to other institutional contexts.