‘Innovatus’ is a special edition of YFile devoted to teaching and learning innovation at York University.
Hello and welcome to a new issue of ‘Innovatus,’
It’s March and it finally feels as if spring may defeat winter. For educators, there’s also a collective assessment underway to consider what the pandemic has meant to teaching, learning and the student experience.
In the Faculty of Education at York University, the talented faculty and staff are examining how the challenges we’ve faced during the pandemic have brought many valuable lessons. This is particularly apparent in how we think about educating the next generation of teachers. At York University, the focus is on equipping future educators to create positive change, whether it be in the classroom, through actions to address the lack of equity, diversity and inclusion in the classroom, through alternative careers in education, and more. There are some exceptional examples on display in this issue of ‘Innovatus’ that highlight this wonderful work in the Faculty.
Please let me know your thoughts on the stories presented in this special issue. And, if you have an interesting story to suggest, please send it to my office. Faculty, course directors and staff are invited to share their experiences in teaching, learning, internationalization and the student experience through the ‘Innovatus’ story form, which is available at tl.apps01.yorku.ca/machform/view.php?id=16573.
As always, thank you. I look forward to receiving your comments and to seeing you on campus.
Sincerely,
Will Gage
Associate Vice-President, Teaching and Learning
In this issue:
Greetings from the Faculty of Education at York University
In his message to the community, Faculty of Education Dean Rob Savage talks about how the pandemic has brought adaptations in the ways in which we collectively approach teaching and learning.
Using research to assist Black youth
Oyemolade Osibodu, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Education at York University, conducted a pilot study to help her understand the mathematics experiences of Black youth in Greater Toronto Area high schools and the results confirmed a lack of diversity in mathematics educators
Community placements enhance education curriculum
Gissela Avila, an undergraduate student in the Faculty of Education at York University, talks about the enormous benefits offered by her community placement. For Avila, it was the joy found in the unexpected that affirmed her passion for teaching.
Improving Black futures aim of new program
For years, educational institutions have contributed to the marginalization, racialization and vilification of Black youth. Faculty of Education Professor Carl E. James is out to change that reality and doing so with help from an interdisciplinary team and a three-year grant provided by RBC.
Capstone course opens up career possibilities for students
A new Educational Studies capstone course created by Faculty of Education Professor Celia Popovic is broadening students’ horizons into possible careers in educational policymaking, the psychology of education, teaching and adult education.