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BC TEAL is proud to present our 2025 Annual Conference: Disruptive Educational Practices: Strategies for Transformation.

Please note that the Friday evening event, the TEAL Charitable Foundation Awards & Fundraiser, requires an additional ticket purchase. Please register here to secure your spot and join us in celebrating the awardees while fundraising for a better cause in TEAL.

Educators shine in times of change to face unexpected challenges. This is when creativity flourishes by combining proven practices with fresh and innovative ideas. These times call for transformation which can be rooted in tradition or experience, or it can arise through unexplored approaches. The synthesis of old and new ideas drives meaningful progress. Join other insightful and creative educators as we flourish within the power of our community.
Type: Education Technology clear filter
Friday, May 2
 

11:00am PDT

Enhancing Student Engagement with PearDeck & Padlet: Transformative Strategies
Friday May 2, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
TBA
Bitner and Bitner (2002) identify eight key areas that aid teacher integration of technology, including fear of change, training, personal use, teaching models, and motivation. They emphasize that technology enhances student learning. Fisher et al. (2014) stress that meaningful, student-driven learning fosters engagement. Online tools provide benefits such as student check-ins, feedback collection, and digital citizenship (Haleem et al., 2022).TESOL Technology Standards guide English language teachers in using technology effectively (Standards, n.d.). Ødegård and Solberg (2024) note that teachers often rely on individual behavior management strategies like reorientation and exclusion, while collaborative approaches remain underutilized. Parsonson (2012) advocates for proactive classroom management, emphasizing structured routines and positive reinforcement. As digital technology transforms education, Howell and O’Donnell (2017) examine its impact on content delivery in Canadian classrooms. Juanis et al. (2023) found that Pear Deck improved interaction and retention, while Zainuddin et al. (2020) demonstrated that Padlet fosters collaborative learning and participation.
This workshop empowers educators with PearDeck and Padlet, two transformative tools that spark interaction, creativity, and deeper learning. With hands-on demonstrations and collaborative activities, participants will leave with confidence and actionable insights to immediately enhance their teaching. Whether one is new to ed-tech or looking to refine your approach, this session ensures your students, irrespective of the age group stay motivated, engaged, and excited to learn.
Execution: In-Person plus Online ( Google Meet for Online)
Session Outline: 
5 Minutes: Introduction: Where are we at?
5 Minutes: What does the research say and our objectives today
15 minutes: Let's Walk the Talk - Demo time -10 minutes ( Demo of two tools - Peardeck and Padlet 
15 minutes: Let's Practice: Individual activity/ Teamwork 
5 minutes: Way forward- Putting into action 


Speakers
avatar for Shrawani Sen

Shrawani Sen

Full time Faculty (UAP), University Canada West
Shrawani, with 15 years of experience, specializes in EAP and LINC 7-8. She teaches at UCW (full-time) and New Directions, blending business and education expertise.
Friday May 2, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
TBA

1:00pm PDT

[Part 1] Avenue.ca Local Innovation Leadership
Friday May 2, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
TBA
The session will delve into the challenges educators face in integrating technology, such as limited access, training gaps, and resistance to change. It will also explore the barriers posed by current policies and funding structures, as well as shifting priorities among funders that impact technology implementation in language training programs.


We will then describe a tool for instructors and leaders: technology standards and their importance in guiding change. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of Avenue Technology-enhanced Language Learning (TELL) Standards and their importance in guiding effective integration of technology into settlement language training. Participants will gain insight into the rapidly evolving landscape of learning technologies, identifying both opportunities and obstacles to their adoption.


Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the critical need for technology standards and a clear perspective on how these standards can empower educators to adapt and thrive in a changing settlement landscape. This session is designed for language educators, program administrators, and decision-makers interested in leveraging technology to enhance teaching practices and student outcomes.


Through engaging discussions, participants will reflect on their own experiences and identify strategies to overcome obstacles while embracing opportunities for innovation. The session sets the foundation for practical, hands-on exploration in the second part of the workshop.
Speakers
avatar for Rob McBride

Rob McBride

Executive Director, New Language Solutions
Rob has worked for NLS for many years. Rob works as a teacher, researcher, writer, producer and project manager.
avatar for Dr. Deborah Healey

Dr. Deborah Healey

Professor, University of Oregon
Deborah is a teacher educator, the 2019-2020 President of TESOL International Association, and a contributor to TESOL and Avenue Technology Standards publications.
avatar for Matthias Sturm

Matthias Sturm

Lead Evaluator and Researcher, New Language Solutions
Matthias Sturm has been researcher and evaluator for the Avenue-LearnIT2teach Project since 2010. Matthias is also working on a PhD in digital inclusion and equity.
avatar for Bonnie Nicholas

Bonnie Nicholas

Mentor, New Language Solutions
Bonnie is a mentor with Avenue and has taught online and blended classes for over a decade. She is always learning and improving her practice.
Friday May 2, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
TBA

2:00pm PDT

[Part 2] Avenue.ca Local Innovation Leadership
Friday May 2, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
TBA
Building on the foundational insights from the first session, this workshop will focus on practical applications of TELL standards through interactive discussions and multimedia resources. Participants will review video interviews and testimonials from both Avenue Learning Leadership course graduates and the attendees of NorQuest College’s Standards workshops. These real-world examples showcase successful implementations of learning technology and provide actionable takeaways for educators.


The session will also feature curated multimedia elements, including short podcasts and participant reflections, to foster a dynamic and engaging learning environment. Through these resources, attendees will explore innovative solutions for integrating technology into their teaching practices, overcoming challenges, and creating more engaging and effective learning experiences for their students.
Interactive discussions will encourage participants to reflect on their own experiences and collaborate on identifying practical strategies for navigating barriers, leveraging opportunities, and aligning with shifting funder priorities. By engaging directly with peer experiences and best practices, participants will develop actionable plans tailored to their unique contexts.


Designed to be both reflective and practical, this session equips attendees with tools, ideas, and inspiration to implement TELL standards effectively and drive innovation in their programs. Presenters will share their expertise and insights, creating a collaborative space where participants can explore technology integration and leadership development.
Speakers
avatar for Rob McBride

Rob McBride

Executive Director, New Language Solutions
Rob has worked for NLS for many years. Rob works as a teacher, researcher, writer, producer and project manager.
avatar for Dr. Deborah Healey

Dr. Deborah Healey

Professor, University of Oregon
Deborah is a teacher educator, the 2019-2020 President of TESOL International Association, and a contributor to TESOL and Avenue Technology Standards publications.
avatar for Matthias Sturm

Matthias Sturm

Lead Evaluator and Researcher, New Language Solutions
Matthias Sturm has been researcher and evaluator for the Avenue-LearnIT2teach Project since 2010. Matthias is also working on a PhD in digital inclusion and equity.
avatar for Bonnie Nicholas

Bonnie Nicholas

Mentor, New Language Solutions
Bonnie is a mentor with Avenue and has taught online and blended classes for over a decade. She is always learning and improving her practice.
Friday May 2, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
TBA

3:30pm PDT

Work-Life Balance Strategies for your Teaching Practice with Avenue
Friday May 2, 2025 3:30pm - 4:15pm PDT
TBA
The workshop begins with a review of findings from user feedback of theAvenue.ca learning and teaching platform and instructor training. These findings provide a current, evidence-based context for the session. Avenue (formerly EduLINC and LearnIT2teach) has been serving the LINC community since 2010. 
 
Avenue has enjoyed broader and broader adoption by the LINC sector since the start of the pandemic. The online teaching that language instructors adopted rapidly in response to the limitation to in-person program delivery has accelerated learning technology innovation since. Many teachers are committed to take their online and blended language training practices to higher levels of efficiency and effectiveness.
 
Online and blended program delivery disrupts practices of instructors and managers. This workshop presents strategies for transformation embedded in front-line experiences through an open discussion about teachers’ better work-life balance. 
 
The vison and support of local leaders has a central role in the innovation process. This session will also offer findings from an evaluation of the Avenue Learning Leadership Certificate (ALLC) training, offered to LINC instructors, lead teachers, and program administrators. The training takeaways are reinforced by the leadership experiences of LINC instructors, LearnIT2teach mentors, and a program leader from Vancouver Community College (VCC).
 
Participants will benefit from an environment for open discussion. The workshop will explore what constitutes effective strategies and leadership: What is effective and efficient 21st Century teaching practice and program delivery? How can skillful use of learning technology contribute to a better work-life balance for instructors? 
 
The objectives of this workshop are for participants to:
  • Learn about findings from user feedback of Avenue.ca and an evaluation of the Avenue Learning Leadership Certificate (ALLC)
  • Share experiences of teachers and administrators demonstrate lessons learned from frontline practice
  • Receive practical tips on improving your work-life balance though more effective and efficient blended and online teaching practice 
Speakers
avatar for Vesna Radivojevic

Vesna Radivojevic

Assistant Department Head, Vancouver Community College (VCC)
Vesna Radivojevic has been teaching EAL for 23 years, mostly in ELSA/LINC programs. She supports instructors as a coordinator and Assistant Department Head at VCC. 
avatar for Matthias Sturm

Matthias Sturm

Lead Evaluator and Researcher, New Language Solutions
Matthias Sturm has been researcher and evaluator for the Avenue-LearnIT2teach Project since 2010. Matthias is also working on a PhD in digital inclusion and equity.
avatar for Chayan Mallick

Chayan Mallick

Mentor, New Language Solutions (Avenue)
Chayan has 25 years of ESL teaching experience in home and abroad. She has also been working as an online mentor with Avenue since 2016. 
avatar for Bonnie Nicholas

Bonnie Nicholas

Mentor, New Language Solutions
Bonnie is a mentor with Avenue and has taught online and blended classes for over a decade. She is always learning and improving her practice.
Friday May 2, 2025 3:30pm - 4:15pm PDT
TBA
 
Saturday, May 3
 

8:30am PDT

SCULPT to SLICK: Applying Accessible Design Principles in Digital Resources
Saturday May 3, 2025 8:30am - 9:15am PDT
TBA
In this interactive session, participants, whether instructors, administrators, or content developers, will learn the basic principles of SLICK from TMU, which was adapted from Helen Wilson’s SCULPT framework.
  • Introduce some statistics to participants about people who identify with disabilities
  • Brief overview of SCULPT and SLICK origins
  • How to apply the principles of SLICK in everyday use
  • Demonstrate to participants how a screen reader would read a document, slide, H5P, or video CC
  • Discuss in a group what SLICK principle they would like to start implementing and why they chose it to begin, i.e., importance.
  • In a brainstorming session with other members, use the time-blocking handout to make a feasible action plan, and you can stick with it to start implementing the SLICK framework in your educational resources.
  • Share their plan and call to action with other members and gain insight and ideas from other group members on applying the principles of SLICK.
As the facilitator of this interactive session, I will use the objectives mentioned above to introduce the need to make all created resources digitally accessible, using statistics from the Canadian Census and WHO presently and in the future. I will briefly introduce the SCULPT framework and go more in-depth with the principles of SLICK depending on my audiences’ profession, i.e., instructor, admin, or developer. If a mix, I can talk about all of them briefly. I will also demonstrate with recordings a screen reader reading text with and without the SLICK principles to see the difference. After going in more depth with the principles of SLICK, I will ask participants to brainstorm in a group and discuss how they could make their content more accessible using the principles in this session. Then, as a group, they will complete their plan using a weekly time-blocking handout and discuss it.
Speakers
avatar for Brooke Witkowski

Brooke Witkowski

Instructor Support, LINC Home Study Ontario, Achev
She has experience teaching in Canada and abroad. Her professional interests include digital accessibility in educational resources and creating eLearning content.
Saturday May 3, 2025 8:30am - 9:15am PDT
TBA

8:30am PDT

Transform Your Teaching and Have Your Three Wishes Granted
Saturday May 3, 2025 8:30am - 9:15am PDT
TBA
Your Three Wishes Granted: 1) Multi-level, CLB-aligned materials 2) Emerging learner & literacy support 3) Occupational training

Roberta will walk attendees through the grants ( and the application process) provided through Pro Literacy, and how they give adult learning programs free access to easy to use solutions for online and in class learning.


Mobile Learning Fund Grants, which are available year round, give programs access to:


1) A results driven English learning platform used to upskill English language learners to prepare them for real world taks, increase civic engagement, fill in-demand jobs and advance in the workforce.
2) A fun and engaging app to help learners make gains in reading, English, math, work,life, health, digital and financial literacy.
3) A high-school equivalency test prep platform ( with the Canadian Adult Education Credential) that can be understood and easily utilized by learners at a foundational skills level.
4) A weekly online news source with easy-to-read global current events stories and a plethora of Canadian articles that build EAL learners reading language, and media literacy skills.


The goal is to continue building capacity among literacy and language programs by supporting the adoption of digital learning solutions, helping all types of learners who may...
•have very busy lifestyles with work/ and or parenting, etc.
•not be able to regularly attend classes.
•be on a waiting list.
•need to make faster gains.


Grants provided through the National Book Fund assist literacy, EAL and basic education programs by providing quality print materials through New Readers Press to enable a better serving of students.
Speakers
avatar for Roberta Power

Roberta Power

Educational Consultant, Pro Literacy New Readers Press
An English instructor/ LINC teacher for more 20 years, Roberta is now the Educational Consultant in Canada for Pro Literacy's publishing division, New Readers Press.Additionally, Roberta has lived out her passion for the English language and the human psyche by creating self-help... Read More →
Saturday May 3, 2025 8:30am - 9:15am PDT
TBA

10:00am PDT

Empowering Students for Success in a Dynamic Work Environment
Saturday May 3, 2025 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
TBA
The objective of this session is to raise attendees’ awareness of the importance of acquiring digital soft skills necessary for hybrid roles because such skills may not be incorporated into the curriculum. The presenters aim to present practical opportunities for developing these skills based on a comprehensive framework to enhance students’ adaptability, ethical decision-making, digital collaboration, and empathy in virtual settings. The practical suggestions offered in the session include: 
 
  1. Preparing Students for Hybrid Workplaces: Focusing on traditional milestones such as job interviews and resumes, tailored for hybrid work environments by conducting regular workshops on specific soft skills such as digital collaboration, empathy, and ethical decision-making. Students can also be offered personalized coaching sessions to help them identify and develop their soft skills.
  2. Incorporating Digital Soft Skills: Integrating digital soft skills into educational programs to help students improve their collaboration, empathy, and ethical decision-making in hybrid workplaces (Walker & Venker Weidenbenner, 2019). Simulation-based learning (SBL) can be implemented to provide students with realistic, hands-on experiences in a controlled environment.
  3. Exploring Innovative Technologies and Teaching Methods: Investigating new technologies and pedagogical approaches to enhance digital soft skills (Czymoniewicz-Klippel & Cruz, 2023). Students need to be introduced to various digital collaboration tools, for example, Microsoft Teams, Slack or Trello.

    Seletced References  

     
    Czymoniewicz-Klippel, M. T., & Cruz, L. E. (2023). Engagement of online biobehavioral health students in ethics education through virtual immersive experiences. Pedagogy in Health Promotion9(3), 182-192. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/23733799231158384 
    García-Pérez, R., Santos-Delgado, J. M., & Buzón-García, O. (2016). Virtual empathy as digital competence in education 3.0. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education13, 1-10.https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41239-016-0029-7 
Speakers
avatar for Olivera Jovovic

Olivera Jovovic

EAL Support Instructor, Vancouver Community College
Olivera Jovovic is an English Language Teaching professional with more than 15 years of experience in supporting EAL students in a variety of roles.   
avatar for Nahid Ghani

Nahid Ghani

EAL Support Instructor, Vancouver Community College
Nahid Ghani is an English language teaching expert with a PhD in historical linguistics 
Saturday May 3, 2025 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
TBA

11:00am PDT

Ready to transform your teaching? Let’s teach online with Avenue.
Saturday May 3, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
TBA
Participants in this workshop will be encouraged to share ways that they have transformed their online courses on platforms such as Avenue from cookie-cutter versions to something more personalised, more engaging, and more accessible. 


The facilitators, who between them have 20 years of experience in blended and online environments, will share some ways that they themselves have made their online courses more user-friendly for the learners, while focusing on the goal of quality teaching and learning within online spaces. They will first briefly discuss the Community of Inquiry framework (Garrison, D. R., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (2000). Critical inquiry in a text-based environment: Computer conferencing in higher education modelThe Internet and Higher Education, 2(2-3), 87-105.), which suggests that successful teaching in online spaces requires a teaching, social and cognitive presence, sharing how online courses can be transformed by creating these presences.


They will then briefly look at selected aspects of the Avenue Instructor Standards for Technology-Enhanced Language Learning and demonstrate how the standards can validate instructors’ current practices while guiding them towards innovation in their online or blended courses — to move beyond our current practices and the way we’ve always done things; to think about instructional design and to try some tested tools and resources in new ways.


Attendees will participate in two short breakout groups to discuss how they create presence in their online classes, to share their experiences in how they have been creative and transformed their own courses, and then report back to all attendees. The facilitators will collect these ideas, organize them, and share them with the participants, who will leave with concrete and creative ideas for disrupting their own educational practices, moving past the way they may have always done things, and using their own and others’ experiences to transform online learning spaces. 
Speakers
avatar for Chayan Mallick

Chayan Mallick

Mentor, New Language Solutions (Avenue)
Chayan has 25 years of ESL teaching experience in home and abroad. She has also been working as an online mentor with Avenue since 2016. 
avatar for Bonnie Nicholas

Bonnie Nicholas

Mentor, New Language Solutions
Bonnie is a mentor with Avenue and has taught online and blended classes for over a decade. She is always learning and improving her practice.
Saturday May 3, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
TBA

1:00pm PDT

Textbook to AI & Going National – Transforming Healthcare Communication Courses
Saturday May 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
TBA
In this session, attendees will learn about ways to incorporate technology into healthcare communication courses. The presenters will discuss their experience in addressing time, distance, and scalability challenges in delivering their courses. They will also explore how applying disruptive educational practices helped them address communication needs and eventually enabled them to offer their courses nationally.
Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals (IEHPs) face significant challenges in integrating into the Canadian healthcare system, particularly in adapting to workplace communication requirements and cultural differences, as do many newcomers in regulated professions. To support their successful integration, it is essential to identify these barriers and implement educational strategies that help IEHPs overcome them. As communication needs in healthcare continue to evolve, so too must our approach to language learning.
Historically, face-to-face classes and textbooks sufficed, but the dynamic nature of licensure requirements, skill needs, and immigration policies now requires more flexible and innovative approaches. Disruptive educational practices, driven by course design and technology, are essential to ensuring courses remain relevant, focused, practical, and scalable.
This session highlights the presenters’ journey from offering traditional face-to-face courses in Halifax to adopting blended learning and, most recently, delivering 100% online courses with synchronous and asynchronous options across the country. These changes have allowed them to offer their healthcare communication courses across Nova Scotia and, in collaboration with national partners, to newcomer healthcare professionals across Canada.
The presenters will explore how integrating technology—such as online learning platforms, simulations, and AI - addresses the challenges of time, distance, and scalability while meeting the evolving needs of IEHPs. This session will provide practical insights into how disruptive educational practices can be used to adapt courses, ensuring they remain relevant and effective in preparing IEHPs for success in the Canadian healthcare system.


Speakers
PK

Paivi Kehler

Instructional Coordinator - ISS Language and Career College of BC, ISS Language and Career College of BC
Paivi Kehler - National Healthcare Language Program facilitator and Instructional Coordinator at ISS Language and Career College of BC, with a wealth of EAL experience. 
CD

Carolyn Duvar

National Healthcare Language Project Project Lead, Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia
Carolyn Duvar – Project Lead for the National Healthcare Language Program at ISANS with years of experience designing and facilitating courses for healthcare professionals.
RM

Rebecca Martin-Fraser

National Healthcare Language Program Facilitator and Developer, Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia
Rebecca Martin-Fraser - Facilitator and Developer for the National Healthcare Language Program at ISANS, specializing in intercultural and workplace communication programming for internationally educated professionals. 
KC

Katherine Comberbach

Managing Director, Interactive Health International (CyberPatient)
Katherine Comberbach is a strategic leader at CyberPatient, specializing in supporting global healthcare simulation and education. She collaborates with university students and faculty to enhance experiential learning, drive engagement, and integrate virtual hospital training into... Read More →
DK

Dr. Karim Qayumi

Dr. Karim Qayumi is a Professor of Surgery at UBC and founder of the Centre of Excellence for Simulation Education and Innovation. As CEO of CyberPatient, he pioneers technology-driven healthcare education, collaborating with faculty and students to advance simulation-based learning... Read More →
Saturday May 3, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
TBA

2:00pm PDT

QRiosity: Effective Technology Integration for Literacy Students.
Saturday May 3, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
TBA
This workshop will explore various methods to effectively integrate technology into mid-level literacy classes, with the goal of adapting current literacy practices and enhancing teaching methods. 


First, Ruben Puentedura’s (2010) SAMR model will be introduced as an effective framework for implementing technology in the classroom. This model will help students unlock the potential of technology and achieve several class objectives. 


Next, the process of creating effective QR codes will be explained, with guidance on how to use them with tools such as Quizlet and Wordwall. These tools will assist students in learning vocabulary and improving skills such as spelling and sentence formation.


Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to explore ways to integrate accessible digital learning materials into their teaching practices, supporting students in developing their digital competencies. Finally, a Q&A session will be provided to clarify any questions and deepen understanding of key concepts. 






That being said  the learning objectives for this session include:


  1. Introduce the SAMR Model: Participants will gain an understanding of Ruben Puentedura’s SAMR model and learn how to effectively integrate technology into mid-level literacy classes to enhance teaching practices and student learning outcomes.
  2. Explore Practical Tools for Vocabulary Learning: Teachers will be equipped with strategies for creating and using QR codes with platforms like Quizlet and Wordwall to support students in learning vocabulary and improving key literacy skills such as spelling and sentence formation.
  3. Support Digital Competencies Development: Educators will discover ways to incorporate accessible digital learning materials into their classrooms, enabling students to develop their digital competencies alongside their literacy skills.
Speakers
CP

Carlos Peralta

EAL Instructor, Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia. (ISANS)
Carlos Peralta is an experienced language educator and EAL instructor for ISANS who is dedicated to creating engaging learning experiences. He has a proven track record in curriculum development, digital competences, and integrating technology into pedagogy. He is committed to fostering... Read More →
Saturday May 3, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
TBA
 
From CA$115.47


BC TEAL 2025 Annual Conference
From CA$115.47
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