Down the Hall

The first in a series of "best of" Down the Hall episodes, this week we bring laughter and play into your life. We revisit the concept of comedy and creativity in the classroom with some excellent excerpts from previous episodes. We all love to laugh (as regular listeners of Down the Hall already know), and laughter can actually be a great way to engage students in learning. Allowing students to be creative can also help them learn. We’d love to hear from you about your thoughts on our discussions or interviews and we’re always open to hearing suggestions for the show. Email us at podcast.pdce@ubc.ca. Just a note that the views expressed in the podcast are those of the hosts and guests, and not necessarily the views of either PDCE or the Faculty of Education at UBC. Episode 73 (31:19) Time Stamps 00:12 | Introduction 3:50 | Creativity in Education - Dave Roy & Jenny van Enckevort discussion 13:24 | Comedy in the Classroom - Elaine Decker interview 20:44 | Playfulness & Creativity in

The holiday season is a joyous time of year, filled with laughter and love and also great stories! In this week's episode, Fiona talks to Kathryn Shoemaker, noted children's book illustrator and author, about the evolution of picture books in Education, trends in the industry, and her love of teaching. Of course, there are certainly more topics covered than that, but you'll have to listen to find out. Your hosts also indulge in a bit of holiday cheer, with a Christmas story mash-up that has to be heard to be believed! We think you'll like it. Change is coming to Down the Hall in the new year, so keep an eye out for some new stuff. Renewal is always a good thing, and change can be invigorating. Thank you to all of our listeners who have been with us over the last three years, and we hope you enjoy the new things happening in 2014. We hope you have a joyous holiday season. We’d love to hear from you about your thoughts on our discussions or interviews and we’re always open to hearing suggestions for

Mental health is a very important, yet sometimes neglected part of education. While students’ physical needs are taken care of, what can be done to help with their mental ones? In this episode, Fiona talks to Steve Cairns. Steve talks about his work with the Village of Attachment and other organizations that help students, promoting good mental health in their schools and encouraging them to get involved with their communities. It’s a wonderful interview, and thanks so much to Steve for taking part. In addition, your hosts talk about the work of Dr. Sugata Mitra, and the “School in the Cloud” concept that won him a TED prize. He’s also best-known for the “Hole in the Wall” project. Be sure to check it out! We’d love to hear from you about your thoughts on our discussions or interviews and we’re always open to hearing suggestions for the show. Email us at podcast.pdce@ubc.ca. Just a note that the views expressed in the podcast are those of the hosts an

Back on Episode 24, Happy Anniversary, Dave asked Carl Leggo about the importance of creativity in Education. This time around, Carl elaborates on his commitment to creativity and shares his thoughts about teaching creatively and teaching creativity. Carl recommends a selection of books to inspire creative approaches in the classroom for varying curricular disciplines, including music and theatre, but also physics, science, and social studies! See below for links.  We’d love to hear from you about your thoughts on our discussions or interviews and we’re always open to hearing suggestions for the show. Email us at podcast.pdce@ubc.ca.  Just a note that the views expressed in the podcast are those of the hosts and guests, and not necessarily the views of either PDCE or the Faculty of Education at UBC. To access all links mentioned on this episode, please see our blog post. Episode 70 (46:44) Time Stamps 0:20 | Introduction6:27 | Interview with Carl Leggo42:52 | What's

It's Halloween! This week, your hosts examine what is sometimes a creepy subject, especially when it involves possible zombies. They explore the science of ethnobotany and how it's been portrayed in popular culture. Complete with Sean Connery impersonation! The interview this week is with Dr. Marina Milner-Bolotin, who talks about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Education, how it's risen to prominence over the last few years, and the upcoming STEM conference being held here at UBC next Summer. The Call for Proposals deadline is December 9 for those of you who would like to take part! We’d love to hear from you about your thoughts on our discussions or interviews and we’re always open to hearing suggestions for the show. Email us at podcast.pdce@ubc.ca. Just a note that the views expressed in the podcast are those of the hosts and guests, and not necessarily the views of either PDCE or the Faculty of Education at UBC. To access all links mentioned in this epis

In the western world, we sometimes take education for granted. That isn't the case in less-developed areas of the world. How can education in these areas be improved and teachers trained so that kids growing up without easy access to education can still succeed? In this week's episode, Dave talks to Noble Kelly about just this subject. Noble is the founder of Education Beyond Borders, an organization that is designed to "devoted to closing the global education divide through teacher professional development and community education." Noble talks about the work of the organization in South Africa as well as other initiatives they are taking on. Most importantly, how they are helping to meet one of the United Nations Millenium Development Goals to achieve universal primary education around the world. Your hosts are both sick with colds, so they let Noble do most of talking. Though Dave does give a brief update of what he saw at V-Con this year. We’d love to hear from you about your thoughts

Teachers are often seen as the drivers in the classroom. The teachers teach, the students learn. But not every student is identical or learns in the same way, or even at the same pace. On this week's episode, Dave talks to Dr. Deborah Butler about her work in Self-Regulated Learning (SRL). What role does the teacher play in engaging his/her students to help them with their learning practices? Why is this a growing field of research and how is it changing our schools? What is the impact of SRL on students, ranging from childhood through their adult lives? Deb talks about all of this and more and highlights the work being done by her and her colleagues both here at UBC and across Canada. In addition, your hosts discuss social media and college engagement: how are post-secondary institutions using social media to attract students and help them through their college lives? We’d love to hear from you about your thoughts on our discussions or interviews and we’re always open to hearing suggestions for

This week has had a somber tone for us here at Down the Hall.  Along with other PDCE and ETS colleagues we have been openly talking about the Indian Residential Schools (IRS) and sharing readings, thoughts and feelings surrounding these themes.  As UBC suspended classes on the 18th to allow faculty and students to attend the Truth and Reconciliation Commission events in Vancouver, staff were invited to participate in on-campus events, engage in self-guided study and reflection. We are joined by Sharon Thira, Director of Kloshe Tillicum, a network of aboriginal health researchers who are doing some wonderful work with communities across Canada.  We scratch the surface of some of the issues surrounding the TRC and Sharon shares glimpses of her work with Residential School Survivors, talks openly about the problems with the inception of the TRC and shares her perspectives on helping and healing. Down the Hall and PDCE honour all Survivors of the Residential School System.  We bear witness to

All over the UBC Vancouver campus, festivities ignite to kickoff the new academic year, and within the Faculty of Education, we have an additional reason to celebrate: the Year of Teacher Education. To highlight the good work of educators, Dave interviews Dr. Wendy Carr, the new director of the Teacher Education Office (TEO), to find out what's in store for the 2013-2014 Year of... initiative. In her interview, Wendy discusses how teachers are a powerful influence in our lives and how the Bachelor of Education program offers an exceptional education, helping teachers develop a personalized approach in the classroom and beyond. Guided by the TEO tagline "inspiring educators, inquiring into teacher education, imagining new possibilities," the Year of Teacher Education will feature interactive panels, the Inspiring Educators Series, hashtag photo contest, lip dub video competition, and many more.  Stay tuned on the YTE website for ways that you can join the celebration! We’d love to hear from yo

If you are interested in taking a professional development program, how do you hear about it? How did that program get its information out to you, the student? This week, Fiona’s away. Instead, PDCE Marketing Manager Heather McGregor joins Dave as they talk about the challenges of marketing educational programs, getting the word out so that the maximum number of people are aware of them. They give some insights into how you can keep up to date with PDCE programs, as well as some ideas for those of you who may be creating and marketing your own programs. We’d love to hear from you about your thoughts on our discussions or interviews and we’re always open to hearing suggestions for the show. Email us at podcast.pdce@ubc.ca. Just a note that the views expressed in the podcast are those of the hosts and guests, and not necessarily the views of either PDCE or the Faculty of Education at UBC. To access all links mentioned on this episode, please see our blog post. Episode 64 (22:07) Time Stam

This week, your hosts talk British royalty (both old and new), and Dr. David Vogt talks about mobile learning and the new course he is developing for the MET program. We welcome Britain's latest prince (inconveniently only named after we recorded) and have more Richard III news. (Note: in the interview, David says in the interview that there will be one section of the new course. There are actually two sections now) We’d love to hear from you about your thoughts on our discussions or interviews and we’re always open to hearing suggestions for the show. Email us at podcast.pdce@ubc.ca. Find us on iTunes, (or just search for PDCE or Down the Hall in the podcast section of iTunes) And we are also on Stitcher and Blackberry Podcasts too! So you can take us with you no matter what mobile device you have. Just search for PDCE or Down the Hall on your Stitcher or Blackberry Podcast app if you don’t currently have access to the web. Just a note that the views expressed in the pod

This week on Down the Hall, Dave goes on vacation, and Fiona and Alpha kick off the episode with a lively discussion about a study featured in the Globe and Mail on how random acts of kindness have affected a group of Canadian children. Dave "returns" in an interview with Dr. Elizabeth Jordan to discuss the spectrum of special education, how it has changed over the last decade, and how the UBC Diploma in Special Education can support a teacher in this field. Just a reminder to our regular listeners that we are taking a summer break and will not be posting a show on July 12th, but we'll be back on July 26th, ready for more Down the Hall! We’d love to hear from you about your thoughts on our discussions or interviews and we’re always open to hearing suggestions for the show. Email us at podcast.pdce@ubc.ca Find us on iTunes, (or just search for PDCE or Down the Hall in the podcast section of iTunes) And we are also on Stitcher and Blackberry Podcasts too! So you can take us with

This week, we have a two-pronged episode for you, something for everyone. Dave interviews Dr. Harry Hubball about the SOTL (Scholarship of Teaching and Learning) certificate program here at UBC. Your hosts also take on the subject of heart and mind education, as Fiona talks about a truly enriching opportunity she took part in and Dave gets philosophical. Finally, they talk about sharing photographs on the internet. Do you do that? If so, what are your thoughts on how you do it? How careful are you? We want to know, and your hosts tell you their thoughts as well. We’d love to hear from you about your thoughts on our discussions or interviews and we’re always open to hearing suggestions for the show.  Email us at podcast.pdce@ubc.ca Find us on iTunes, (or just search for PDCE or Down the Hall in the podcast section of iTunes) And we are also on Stitcher and Blackberry Podcasts too! So you can take us with you no matter what mobile device you have. Just search for PDCE or Dow

In some areas of Africa, there is a shortage of teachers and good quality education. Thankfully, there are many initiatives to help address this shortfall. On this week’s episode, Fiona talks to Dr. Samson Nashon about the Faculty of Education’s work in a joint educational program at Dadaab. They highlight the diploma in Teacher Education that is being offered as part of a collaborative education program with various other institutions and with help from CIDA funding. Samson talks about his work in the project and discusses issues of culture, international development and awareness, and a lot more as well. It’s a fascinating interview. Before that, your hosts talk about mobile devices in the classroom. Are they a force for good or evil? Or both? We’d love to hear from you about your thoughts on our discussions or interviews and we’re always open to hearing suggestions for the show.  Email us at podcast.pdce@ubc.ca Find us on iTunes, (or just search for PDCE or Down

Many of us live in a visually-driven world.  We gain so much information through sight that we take it for granted. We see a document, a television program, a work of art, the sun casting a shadow on the pavement.  Have you ever stopped to think what it might be like if you could not see?  How would you do everything you do now without sight? This week we catch up with Dr. Kim Zebehazy, orientation and mobility specialist here at UBC.  Kim talks about considerations for visually impaired people both in a classroom and out in the world and how they are able to participate in some of the things we take for granted.  She even talks about how visually impaired people enjoy art, proving that there is more to art appreciation than meets the eye! To experience orientation and mobility issues first hand, your hosts don a blindfold and use a long cane to navigate their way around the Scarfe Building under Kim’s supervision.  We have photographic evidence that there were no calamitie

With the end of the term and many people finishing up all of their courses, MOOCs, or other educational opportunities, we thought we’d give you a light-hearted episode this time around. Dave spoke to Marie-France Hetu, a Master of Educational Technology student who is graduating from the program in three weeks. They spoke about her experiences in the program and what drove  her to take the program, but they also spend a lot of time talking about her experiences at the India-Canada Conference at SNDT Women’s University in Mumbai, India. What was it like, both the travel and the conference itself? Before that, your hosts talk about language and animals, especially animals that can mimic or understand human speech. Whales that make human-like sounds, dogs that love Tim Horton’s, and monkeys who keep the entryways to 7-11 stores clear of those who just like to hang out. (That last one may just be a fantasy) We also introduce a new segment to the show, The Exit Question. We want you

This week’s episode has a cornucopia of indigenous content, with two great interviews as well as a look at what has been going on in the Faculty of Education’s “Year of Indigenous Education.” First, Fiona talks to Dr. Candace Galla about language revitalization, the different means of storytelling, her recent research grant, and her preparation for the Aboriginal Language & Literacy summer institute. At the time of their conversation, Candace was getting ready for the Living Our Indigenous Languages Through Multimedia Technology event that took place on April 13. It’s a fascinating interview that we’re sure you’ll enjoy. After that, Fiona talks to Dr. Jessica Dunkley, a indigenous student who is graduating from UBC in May. They discuss Jessica’s experiences here at UBC as an indigenous student as well as the recently completed Walkabout (which you may have heard your hosts talk about once or twice recently). Walkabout was a virtual tour of over seventy indig

It’s Easter weekend, and we’re giving you an early Easter treat since we won’t be able to post next week. Do you have any Easter traditions? Your hosts share their traditions, past and present, as well as their chocolate addiction. Fiona talks about scary movies (alternative title to this episode: Ea Ooa, and you’ll have to listen to find out why) and animal baking with Bunny Buns. We’re also celebrating the coming of Spring! And finally seeing some sun. Also, congratulations to those of you who completed Walkabout 2013! We’d love your feedback on anything. Email us at podcast.pdce@ubc.ca Find us on iTunes, (or just search for PDCE or Down the Hall in the podcast section of iTunes) And we are now on Stitcher and Blackberry Podcasts too! So you can take us with you no matter what mobile device you have. Just search for PDCE or Down the Hall on your Stitcher or Blackberry Podcast app if you don’t currently have access to the web. Just a note tha

If you’re not hungry before listening to this episode, then you will be afterward! This week’s episode is devoted totally to food. Fiona interviews Barb Finley, the creator of Project CHEF (which stands for Cook Healthy Edible Food), which is a program designed to teach students in the K-7th grade range about healthy food: where it comes from, how to prepare it, and how to enjoy it. Fiona and Alpha (our producer) spent an afternoon at Bayview Elementary School where that week’s program was being held. They got to see it in action, talk to some of the kids, take some great pictures, and also get Barb to talk about the program and how valuable it is. It’s very successful, and judging by their experience, it’s a lot of fun, both for the kids as well as for the adults who are helping them. They even got pizza, made by the kids in the class! It’s a fun interview with some really great guest appearances as well. Back in the studio, your hosts discuss their cooking histo

One area of study that some prospective teachers ignore in their studies is science. Some fear it, and some just aren’t interested in it. Is that still the case? Has the teaching of science improved in recent years? This week’s episode brings you an interview with Dr. Sandra Scott, Faculty Advisor in the Teacher Education program and a strong advocate of science education. She talks about that status of science-teaching in schools, how we can get past the phobias that teachers have about the subject, and how the teaching of science is incorporated into the Teacher Education program here at UBC. In addition to Sandra, your hosts talk about MOOCs (Massive Open Online Course). We are both taking one to see what they’re all about. What are some of the potential problems with MOOCs and how can we get past them? We don’t get into any platform-specific issues, but issues with the MOOC concept in general. We’d love your feedback on anything. Email us at podcast.pdce@ubc.ca Find us o