CTEI Yorkville University & Toronto Film School

CTEI Ready-to-Teach – Week Five – Option One
2025-02-03 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Toronto)
CTEI Ready-to-Teach – Week Five – Option One
Date: Monday, February 3rd, 2025
Time: 2:00-3:30pm (AT) / 1:00-2:30pm (ET) / 10:00-11:30am (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Join the Centre for Teaching Excellence and Innovation to kick off the Ready-to-Teach program as you begin your time with Yorkville University and Toronto Film School.
The session will utilize active learning strategies which may include small breakout rooms and the use of other digital engagement tools.
Remember: You only need to sign up for one synchronous session in each of the scheduled synchronous weeks (Week 1, 3, and 5 of the CTEI Ready-to-Teach program).
If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach the Centre at ctei@yorkvilleu.ca.
The virtual doors will be closed to late attendees after 15 minutes.

Brightspace: Ask Me Anything – Drop in support with our partners from D2L
2025-01-28 13:00 - 14:00
Brightspace: Ask Me Anything – Drop in support with our partners from D2L
Date: Tuesday, January 28th, 2025
Time: 2:00-3:00pm (AT) / 1:00-2:00pm (ET) / 10:00-11:00am (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Join our partners at D2L for a question and answer hour to help you further understand and engage with Brightspace.

CTEI Ready-to-Teach – Week Three – Option Five
2025-01-24 11:00 - 12:30
CTEI Ready-to-Teach – Week Three – Option Five
Date: Friday, January 24th, 2025
Time: 12:00-1:30pm (AT) / 11:00-12:30pm (ET) / 8:00-9:30am (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Join the Centre for Teaching Excellence and Innovation to kick off the Ready-to-Teach program as you begin your time with Yorkville University and Toronto Film School.
The session will utilize active learning strategies which may include small breakout rooms and the use of other digital engagement tools.
Remember: You only need to sign up for one synchronous session in each of the scheduled synchronous weeks (Week 1, 3, and 5 of the CTEI Ready-to-Teach program).
If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach the Centre at ctei@yorkvilleu.ca.
The virtual doors will be closed to late attendees after 15 minutes.

CTEI Ready-to-Teach – Week Three – Option Four
2025-01-23 12:00 - 13:30
CTEI Ready-to-Teach – Week Three – Option Four
Date: Thursday, January 23rd, 2025
Time: 1:00-2:30pm (AT) / 12:00-1:30pm (ET) / 9:00-10:30am (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Join the Centre for Teaching Excellence and Innovation to kick off the Ready-to-Teach program as you begin your time with Yorkville University and Toronto Film School.
The session will utilize active learning strategies which may include small breakout rooms and the use of other digital engagement tools.
Remember: You only need to sign up for one synchronous session in each of the scheduled synchronous weeks (Week 1, 3, and 5 of the CTEI Ready-to-Teach program).
If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach the Centre at ctei@yorkvilleu.ca.
The virtual doors will be closed to late attendees after 15 minutes.

CTEI Ready-to-Teach – Week Three – Option Three
2025-01-22 13:00 - 14:30
CTEI Ready-to-Teach – Week Three – Option Three
Date: Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025
Time: 2:00-3:30pm (AT) / 1:00-2:30pm (ET) / 10:00-11:30am (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Join the Centre for Teaching Excellence and Innovation to kick off the Ready-to-Teach program as you begin your time with Yorkville University and Toronto Film School.
The session will utilize active learning strategies which may include small breakout rooms and the use of other digital engagement tools.
Remember: You only need to sign up for one synchronous session in each of the scheduled synchronous weeks (Week 1, 3, and 5 of the CTEI Ready-to-Teach program).
If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach the Centre at ctei@yorkvilleu.ca.
The virtual doors will be closed to late attendees after 15 minutes.

CTEI Ready-to-Teach – Week Three – Option Two
2025-01-21 14:00 - 15:30
CTEI Ready-to-Teach – Week Three – Option Two
Date: Tuesday, January 21st, 2025
Time: 3:00-4:30pm (AT) / 2:00-3:30pm (ET) / 11:00-12:30pm (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Join the Centre for Teaching Excellence and Innovation to kick off the Ready-to-Teach program as you begin your time with Yorkville University and Toronto Film School.
The session will utilize active learning strategies which may include small breakout rooms and the use of other digital engagement tools.
Remember: You only need to sign up for one synchronous session in each of the scheduled synchronous weeks (Week 1, 3, and 5 of the CTEI Ready-to-Teach program).
If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach the Centre at ctei@yorkvilleu.ca.
The virtual doors will be closed to late attendees after 15 minutes.

CTEI Ready-to-Teach – Week Three – Option One
2025-01-20 15:00 - 16:30
CTEI Ready-to-Teach – Week Three – Option One
Date: Monday, January 20th, 2025
Time: 4:00-5:30pm (AT) / 3:00-4:30pm (ET) / 12:00-1:30pm (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Join the Centre for Teaching Excellence and Innovation to kick off the Ready-to-Teach program as you begin your time with Yorkville University and Toronto Film School.
The session will utilize active learning strategies which may include small breakout rooms and the use of other digital engagement tools.
Remember: You only need to sign up for one synchronous session in each of the scheduled synchronous weeks (Week 1, 3, and 5 of the CTEI Ready-to-Teach program).
If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach the Centre at ctei@yorkvilleu.ca.
The virtual doors will be closed to late attendees after 15 minutes.

CTEI Ready-to-Teach – Week One – Option Five
2025-01-10 15:00 - 16:00
CTEI Ready-to-Teach – Week One – Option Five
Date: Friday, January 10th, 2025
Time: 4:00-5:00pm (AT) / 3:00-4:00pm (ET) / 12:00-1:00pm (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Join the Centre for Teaching Excellence and Innovation to kick off the Ready-to-Teach program as you begin your time with Yorkville University and Toronto Film School.
The session will utilize active learning strategies which may include small breakout rooms and the use of other digital engagement tools.
Remember: You only need to sign up for one synchronous session in each of the scheduled synchronous weeks (Week 1, 3, and 5 of the CTEI Ready-to-Teach program).
If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach the Centre at ctei@yorkvilleu.ca.
The virtual doors will be closed to late attendees after 15 minutes.

CTEI Ready-to-Teach – Week One – Option Four
2025-01-09 14:00 - 15:00
CTEI Ready-to-Teach – Week One – Option Four
Date: Thursday, January 9th, 2025
Time: 3:00-4:00pm (AT) / 2:00-3:00pm (ET) / 11:00-12:00pm (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Join the Centre for Teaching Excellence and Innovation to kick off the Ready-to-Teach program as you begin your time with Yorkville University and Toronto Film School.
The session will utilize active learning strategies which may include small breakout rooms and the use of other digital engagement tools.
Remember: You only need to sign up for one synchronous session in each of the scheduled synchronous weeks (Week 1, 3, and 5 of the CTEI Ready-to-Teach program).
If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach the Centre at ctei@yorkvilleu.ca.
The virtual doors will be closed to late attendees after 15 minutes.

CTEI Ready-to-Teach – Week One – Option Three
2025-01-08 13:00 - 14:00
CTEI Ready-to-Teach – Week One – Option Three
Date: Wednesday, January 8th, 2025
Time: 2:00-3:00pm (AT) / 1:00-2:00pm (ET) / 10:00-11:00am (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Join the Centre for Teaching Excellence and Innovation to kick off the Ready-to-Teach program as you begin your time with Yorkville University and Toronto Film School.
The session will utilize active learning strategies which may include small breakout rooms and the use of other digital engagement tools.
Remember: You only need to sign up for one synchronous session in each of the scheduled synchronous weeks (Week 1, 3, and 5 of the CTEI Ready-to-Teach program).
If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach the Centre at ctei@yorkvilleu.ca.
The virtual doors will be closed to late attendees after 15 minutes.

CTEI Ready-to-Teach – Week One – Option Two
2025-01-07 12:00 - 13:00
CTEI Ready-to-Teach – Week One – Option Two
Date: Tuesday, January 7th, 2025
Time: 1:00-2:00pm (AT) / 12:00-1:00pm (ET) / 9:00-10:00am (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Join the Centre for Teaching Excellence and Innovation to kick off the Ready-to-Teach program as you begin your time with Yorkville University and Toronto Film School.
The session will utilize active learning strategies which may include small breakout rooms and the use of other digital engagement tools.
Remember: You only need to sign up for one synchronous session in each of the scheduled synchronous weeks (Week 1, 3, and 5 of the CTEI Ready-to-Teach program).
If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach the Centre at ctei@yorkvilleu.ca.
The virtual doors will be closed to late attendees after 15 minutes.

Brightspace: Ask Me Anything – Drop in support with our partners from D2L
2025-01-06 14:00 - 15:00
Brightspace: Ask Me Anything – Drop in support with our partners from D2L
Date: Monday, January 6th, 2025
Time: 3:00-4:00pm (AT) / 2:00-3:00pm (ET) / 11:00-12:00pm (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Join our partners at D2L for a question and answer hour to help you further understand and engage with Brightspace.

CTEI Ready-to-Teach - Week One - Option One
2025-01-06 11:00 - 12:00
CTEI Ready-to-Teach – Week One – Option One
Date: Monday, January 6th, 2025
Time: 12:00-1:00pm (AT) / 11:00-12:00pm (ET) / 8:00-9:00am (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Join the Centre for Teaching Excellence and Innovation to kick off the Ready-to-Teach program as you begin your time with Yorkville University and Toronto Film School.
The session will utilize active learning strategies which may include small breakout rooms and the use of other digital engagement tools.
Remember: You only need to sign up for one synchronous session in each of the scheduled synchronous weeks (Week 1, 3, and 5 of the CTEI Ready-to-Teach program).
If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach the Centre at ctei@yorkvilleu.ca.
The virtual doors will be closed to late attendees after 15 minutes.

Getting Familiar with Brightspace (semestre start) – offered by our D2L partners
2025-01-03 13:00 - 14:00
Getting Familiar with Brightspace (semestre start) – offered by our D2L partners
Date: Friday, January 3rd, 2024
Time: 2:00-3:00pm (AT) / 1:00-2:00pm (ET) / 10:00-11:00am (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Join our partners at D2L for an introduction to Brightspace. We will spend our time together navigating and developing some skills for completing some basic tasks in our new LMS, Brightspace – including navigation, learning tasks around announcements, and discussions. This session will not be recorded because questions from the participants will be welcome.

Brightspace: Ask Me anything - Drop in support with our partners from D2L
2025-01-03 10:00 - 11:00
Brightspace: Ask Me anything – Drop in support with our partners from D2L
Date: Friday, January 3rd, 2025
Time: 11:00-12:00pm (AT) / 10:00-11:00am (ET) / 7:00-8:00am (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Join our partners at D2L for a question and answer hour to help you further understand and engage with Brightspace.

Getting Familiar with Brightspace (semestre start) – offered by our D2L partners
2025-01-02 13:00 - 14:00
Getting Familiar with Brightspace (semestre start) – offered by our D2L partners
Date: Thursday, January 2nd, 2025
Time: 2:00-3:00pm (AT) / 1:00-2:00pm (ET) / 10:00-11:00am (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Join our partners at D2L for an introduction to Brightspace. We will spend our time together navigating and developing some skills for completing some basic tasks in our new LMS, Brightspace – including navigation, learning tasks around announcements, and discussions. This session will not be recorded because questions from the participants will be welcome.

Fictional Classrooms - December 2024 Meeting
2024-12-16 13:00 - 14:00
Fictional Classrooms – December 2024 Meeting
Date: Monday, December 16th, 2024
Time: 2:00-3:00pm (AT) / 1:00-2:00pm (ET) / 10:00-11:00am (PT)
Register your interest to attend!
“Fictional Classrooms” CTEI Communities Description:
What can we learn about our own teaching practices and identities from fictional depictions of higher education? Join us in “Fictional Classrooms” as we explore and reflect on narratives of education in films, novels, tv shows, and short stories, whether they speak to us as learners, educators, researchers, artists, or simply as humans. Monthly meetings give us time to chat about what we have watched or read while reflecting on our own teaching practices and contexts. All YU + TFS instructors are welcome and encouraged to register.
We approach the Fictional Classrooms program with a “read-what-you-can” mentality. We understand that we can get busy and may not finish readings/viewings each month, but we encourage you to attend each session regardless of how much you have been able to engage with the text or film so we can still have fruitful conversations and build community.
Learn more about our monthly meetings

Feedback and Grading in Brightspace
2024-12-10 14:30 - 16:00
Feedback and Grading in Brightspace
Date: Tuesday, December 10th, 2024
Time: 3:30-5:00pm (AT) / 2:30-4:00pm (ET) / 11:30-1:00pm (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Feedback is a central part of the learning process, and in this session, we will explore effective feedback principles as they apply in grading Assignments, Discussions, and Quizzes. We will spend our time watching a demonstration, trying a few things out on our own, and coming back to community with questions and learning points. We will look at the Grades tool and how we can support learning by using grading to communicate to students.

Getting Familiar with Brightspace (semestre start) - offered by our D2L partners
2024-12-06 14:00 - 15:00
Getting Familiar with Brightspace (semestre start) – offered by our D2L partners
Date: Friday, December 6th, 2024
Time: 3:00-4:00pm (AT) / 2:00-3:00pm (ET) / 11:00-12:00pm (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Join our partners at D2L for an introduction to Brightspace. We will spend our time together navigating and developing some skills for completing some basic tasks in our new LMS, Brightspace – including navigation, learning tasks around announcements, and discussions. This session will not be recorded because questions from the participants will be welcome.

Accommodations and Accessibility in Brightspace
2024-12-02 12:30 - 14:00
Accommodations and Accessibility in Brightspace
Date: Monday, December 2nd, 2024
Time: 1:30-3:00pm (AT) / 12:30-2:00pm (ET) / 9:30-11:00am (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
How can Brightspace support student accommodation? What are the accessibility features and how can I ensure that I am thinking about some UDL principles in my teaching. This session will address these questions through demonstration, trying a few things out on our own and coming back to community with questions and learning points. our focus will be on the “Manage special Access” options in Assignments and Quizzes, as well as what accessibility looks like in Brightspace and with your use of Announcements and Discussions as well asl how to approach some aspects of learning analytics with accessibility in mind.

Communications and Building Online Communities in Brightspace
2024-11-29 11:30 - 13:00
Communications and Building Online Communities in Brightspace
Date: Friday, November 29th, 2024
Time: 12:30-2:00pm (AT) / 11:30-1:00pm (ET) / 8:30-10:00am (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Join us to explore how to prioritize building relationships with students through Announcements and Discussions in Brightspace. We will learn about multi-modal and multi-media options in those tools as well as look at the various ways of emailing students.

In Full Drift: Navigating CRT Counterstory Across TV, Film, Comics, and Beyond
2024-11-21 14:00 - 15:30
In Full Drift: Navigating CRT Counterstory Across TV, Film, Comics, and Beyond
Date: Thursday, November 21st, 2024
Time: 3:00-4:30pm (AT) / 2:00-3:30pm (ET) / 11:00-12:30pm (PT)
Register here!
SoTL Speaker Session Description:
Join Xicana multi-genre writer and entrepreneur Dr. Elvira Carrizal-Dukes—award-winning scholar, playwright, filmmaker, and CEO of DUKEScomics LLC—on a journey through her groundbreaking work. From Emmy award-winning journalism to national accolades in playwriting and filmmaking, to international recognition in comics, Dr. Dukes’ career exemplifies storytelling across genres and the power of creative entrepreneurship. Her academic research, rooted in CRT counterstory, reflects her life on the U.S.-Mexico border in an unincorporated town where the only public library resides within a private prison. Through screenings of selected works and insights from her own community, Dr. Carrizal-Dukes challenges dominant narratives about BIPOC lives and envisions a new, just future for Brown and Black communities. Anchored in Xicana Rhetoric and Futurism, her work stands as an act of social justice and collective liberation, advancing both theory and practice. This interactive lecture, geared for all skill levels, will include hands-on writing and drawing activities and offer valuable perspectives for faculty, instructors, and students in and across business, education, psychology, and the arts and design alike.
(And be sure to check out Elvira Carrizal-Dukes’s online portfolio as well as DUKEScomics!)

What is a Teaching Philosophy?
2024-11-19 12:00 - 13:30
What is a Teaching Philosophy?
Date: Tuesday, November 19th, 2024
Time: 1:00-2:30pm (AT) / 12:00-1:30pm (ET) / 9:00-10:30am (PT)
Register here!
Workshop Description:
In this session, we will give a brief introduction to teaching philosophies – the unique and personal statements that articulate your beliefs and values in teaching and learning. You are invited to bring a pre-existing or draft statement or just something to write/type/record on in case you are inspired!
This introduction will be followed by time to ask questions as well as go over some activities to help you explore your beliefs and values so that you can identify what you may wish to include in your own teaching philosophy statement.
This is a timely opportunity to reflect if you are considering an application to the YU President’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

Fictional Classrooms - November 2024 Meeting
2024-11-18 13:00 - 14:00
Fictional Classrooms – November 2024 Meeting
Date: Monday, November 18th, 2024
Time: 2:00-3:00pm (AT) / 1:00-2:00pm (ET) / 10:00-11:00am (PT)
Register your interest to attend!
“Fictional Classrooms” CTEI Communities Description:
What can we learn about our own teaching practices and identities from fictional depictions of higher education? Join us in “Fictional Classrooms” as we explore and reflect on narratives of education in films, novels, tv shows, and short stories, whether they speak to us as learners, educators, researchers, artists, or simply as humans. Monthly meetings give us time to chat about what we have watched or read while reflecting on our own teaching practices and contexts. All YU + TFS instructors are welcome and encouraged to register.
We approach the Fictional Classrooms program with a “read-what-you-can” mentality. We understand that we can get busy and may not finish readings/viewings each month, but we encourage you to attend each session regardless of how much you have been able to engage with the text or film so we can still have fruitful conversations and build community.
Learn more about our monthly meetings

Feedback and Grading in Brightspace
2024-11-18 11:30 - 13:00
Feedback and Grading in Brightspace
Date: Monday, November 18th, 2024
Time: 12:30-2:00pm (AT) / 11:30-1:00pm (ET) / 8:30-10:00am (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Join us to explore ideas about effective feedback and how effective feedback can be demonstrated in Brightspace. We will explore multi-modal possibilities for feedback and how grading happens in Assignments, Quizzes and Discussions.

Accommodations and Accessibility in Brightspace
2024-11-15 11:30 - 13:00
Accommodations and Accessibility in Brightspace
Date: Friday, November 15th, 2024
Time: 12:30-2:00pm (AT) / 11:30-1:00pm (ET) / 8:30-10:00am (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Join us to learn about accessibility features and how to set accommodations for Assignments and Quizzes in Brightspace. We will explore ideas around trauma informed practices and UDL (Universal Design for Learning).

Communications and Building Online Communities in Brightspace
2024-11-14 14:30 - 16:00
Communications and Building Online Communities in Brightspace
Date: Thursday, November 14th, 2024
Time: 3:30-5:00pm (AT) / 2:30-4:00pm (ET) / 11:30-1:00pm (PT)
Register here!
Session Description:
Join us to explore how to prioritize building relationships with students through Announcements and Discussions in Brightspace. We will learn about multi-modal and multi-media options in those tools as well as look at the various ways of emailing students.

Virtual Bodies: Reflecting on Teaching Online through Hands-on, Creative Activities
2024-11-01 11:00 - 12:30
Virtual Bodies: Reflecting on Teaching Online through Hands-on, Creative Activities
Date: Friday, November 1st, 2024
Time: 12:00-1:30pm (AT) / 11:00-12:30pm (ET) / 8:00-9:30am (PT)
Registration now closed*
Workshop Description:
In this workshop, participants will reflect upon and learn about strategies and approaches to online teaching and student engagement through an embodied pedagogy lens. Embodied pedagogy explores the role that our bodies and emotions play in moderating our teaching and learning. As part of the workshop, participants will engage in a series of guided, easy, creative activities, including painting and LEGO-building.
No artistic experience is required! Supplies for the activities will be mailed to participants prior to the workshop.
*Note: Due to the dynamic nature of this workshop with the creative supplies and mailing time to arrive for participants, we will be closing registration on Friday, October 18th, 2024 at 12:00pm noon EST and are also capping registration at 40 participants. Once we have compiled the final participant list, we will e-mail participants the Zoom link as well as confirm that their supplies are on the way.)

Fictional Classrooms - October 2024 Meeting
2024-10-21 13:00 - 14:00
Fictional Classrooms – October 2024 Meeting
Date: Monday, October 21st, 2024
Time: 2:00-3:00pm (AT) / 1:00-2:00pm (ET) / 10:00-11:00am (PT)
Register your interest to attend!
“Fictional Classrooms” CTEI Communities Description:
What can we learn about our own teaching practices and identities from fictional depictions of higher education? Join us in “Fictional Classrooms” as we explore and reflect on narratives of education in films, novels, tv shows, and short stories, whether they speak to us as learners, educators, researchers, artists, or simply as humans. Monthly meetings give us time to chat about what we have watched or read while reflecting on our own teaching practices and contexts. All YU + TFS instructors are welcome and encouraged to register.
We approach the Fictional Classrooms program with a “read-what-you-can” mentality. We understand that we can get busy and may not finish readings/viewings each month, but we encourage you to attend each session regardless of how much you have been able to engage with the text or film so we can still have fruitful conversations and build community.
Learn more about our monthly meetings

Humanizing University Students’ Online Learning Experiences
2024-10-16 15:30 - 17:00
Humanizing University Students’ Online Learning Experiences
Date: Wednesday, October 16th 2024
Time: 4:30-6:00pm (AT) / 3:30-5:00pm (ET) / 12:30-2:00pm (PT)
Register here!
Workshop Description:
Are you seeking strategies to create a sense of community and belonging in your online courses and digital teaching? Have you ever wondered how to infuse empathy and understanding into your virtual interactions with students? Have you found yourself in a dilemma where you aim to encourage the use of technologies for enhanced engagement in online teaching and learning, yet want to caution students about potential risks associated with these technologies? As the prevalence of online courses and components rises and as the diversity within the online and virtual student demographic expands, the imperative of infusing humanistic elements into online teaching and learning becomes increasingly apparent.
A burgeoning body of literature in online education underscores the need for pedagogical approaches that prioritize inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility, and that consider the social implications of technological incorporation. The 2023 Educause Horizon Report underscores the growing sophistication and accessibility of technologies, notably with the emergence of Generative AI tools. Given this landscape, a critical and ethical orientation towards humanizing online learning via increasingly digital pedagogies emerges as an urgent necessity for Canadian higher education institutions.
This workshop aims to encourage reflexivity in faculty and instructors, prompting us all to critically assess our previous and ongoing practices in humanizing (and/or the use of potentially dehumanizing) aspects of online teaching and learning. Together, we will foster discussions on how educational technologies can – and should – be critically and ethically integrated into our increasingly digital teaching contexts.
