Precision in Pedagogy: Reimagining Instructional and Assessment Practices to Create an Inclusive Learning Culture that Fosters Life-long Learning.

Dr. Michael Hayley

Monday, June 13^th, 2022 at 2 PM

CSF-1999

Abstract

The world that we live in has changed significantly over the past 150 years.  Currently, in the 21st century, schools and universities continue to operate as they did in the early 20th century.  Many of the pedagogical practices that are used frequently are outdated, and based on educational research, reform is needed.  New instructional and assessment pedagogical practices are needed to challenge the status quo of current practices, empowering all stakeholders (educators and students) in the learning process and allowing our learners to flourish. All learners are entitled to receive an educational program where the learning process is equitable, diverse and inclusive.  As an educator in both the  K-12 and University systems, I am an active change agent in restructuring the learning landscape of both systems by focusing on collaborative learning environments and instructional and assessment practices (deep learning and standard based learning and assessment).  Through an autoethnographic approach, I examine and reflect on my own learning journey,  detailing the transformation of my own pedagogical practices that have created learning environments where all learners are: i) active participants in the learning process; and  ii) provided with instructional and assessment practices that ensure all learners are supported with equitable learning opportunities regardless of background.  These pedagogical practices create an inclusive learning culture that fosters life-long learning and significantly increases student success.  At the university level, my research will be focused in life science pedagogical practices that create learning spaces that honors different approaches of learning for all students of various backgrounds and abilities, shifting practice from a focus on teaching to a focus on learning.