February Training Sessions: Intro to Blackboard Learn Ultra
2025-02-19 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Vancouver) | Centre for Teaching, Learning and Innovation
Overview:
This introductory training session is designed for educators and staff who are new to Blackboard Learn Ultra. Over the course of 90 minutes, participants will receive a comprehensive overview of the Ultra course environment, with a focus on navigating and utilizing the platform to enhance teaching and learning experiences.

Session Breakdown:

First Hour: Ultra Course Environment (60 minutes)

Introduction to Blackboard Learn Ultra: Get acquainted with the interface of Ultra and explore its key features.
Navigating the Course: Learn how to efficiently navigate through the course environment and manage the course tools.
Types of Course Content: Discover the different types of course content you can have in an Ultra course and how to navigate through them.
Communication and Collaboration Tools: Explore the communication tools available in Ultra, including discussion boards, announcements, and messaging, to foster student engagement.

Optional Gradebook Overview (Last 30 minutes)

Introduction to Gradebook: Learn the essentials of the Ultra Gradebook and how to navigate and use the different views.
Grading Assignments and Providing Feedback: Explore the process of grading assignments, quizzes, and other assessments, as well providing feedback to students.
Creating Accommodation for students: Learn how to create course wide accommodation, exceptions and exemptions for students.

Note: Participation in the last 30 minutes of the session is optional. If you are already familiar with the Gradebook or do not use it, you may choose to leave the session after the first hour.

Who Should Attend: This training is ideal for faculty, program assistants, and administrative staff who are new to Blackboard Learn Ultra and want to gain confidence in using its features.

Date and Time:

February 19, 2025
Time: 10:00 – 11:30
Duration: 90 minutes
Format: Online

Complete the registration form to register for your session. You will receive a confirmation calendar invite with information and a link to join the online session closer to the date.
For more information email ctli@jibc.ca.

Trauma-Informed Teaching Workshop
2025-03-03 13:00 - 16:30 | Webinar
Facilitator: Dr. Alana Abramson, Department of Criminology, Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU)

Trauma-informed teaching focuses on integrating knowledge about how people are affected by trauma into your teaching and facilitation practices. It does not require you to be an expert in trauma or trauma treatment, but rather, it is a way of working that emphasizes safety, trustworthiness, choice, connection, collaboration, strengths, skill building, and self-care. It involves understanding how trauma can affect students’ behaviour, learning, and overall well-being, and adjusting teaching practices accordingly. This approach emphasizes creating a safe and inclusive space, being sensitive to students’ experiences, and providing appropriate support to help them succeed academically and emotionally.

This workshop will be held in a virtual space. Expect to be fully engaged with plenty of opportunity to discuss and share ideas and experiences. The focus will be on practical ideas that you can take into your classes and use in your teaching.

Registration is limited to 20 participants. Please let your instructors know and invite them to register. There is no cost for JIBC staff/faculty.

Click here to complete your registration.

Priority for registration is for practising JIBC instructors. If you are not currently in a teaching role, but you are interested in the workshop, you may still be able to join if there are enough spaces. If demand exceeds our capacity to deliver, we may also consider offering a second delivery at a later date.

Dr. Alana Abramson is a passionate educator, dedicated to enhancing student experiences in the classroom. She believes education can inspire personal and social transformation and enjoys learning with her students. Alana Abramson has been involved in the field of restorative justice (RJ) as an researcher, practitioner, and trainer since 1999. She has extensive experience implementing trauma informed, culturally responsive RJ in community, prison, and school contexts. Alana’s doctoral research related to transformative learning within post-secondary education and she has been involved in delivering trauma informed practice training with the JIBC since 2019. In 2017, Dr. Abramson was the recipient of the Restorative Justice Award from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. Alana is currently a full-time Criminology Instructor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Facilitator for the Alternatives to Violence Project and the BC Bereavement Society and the co-chair of the Restorative Justice Association of BC. She currently resides on the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc territory (Kamloops) and loves vegan food, travel, being in nature, and her four cats.

March Training Sessions: Intro to Blackboard Learn Ultra
2025-03-07 10:00 - 11:30 | Centre for Teaching, Learning and Innovation
Overview:
This introductory training session is designed for educators and staff who are new to Blackboard Learn Ultra. Over the course of 90 minutes, participants will receive a comprehensive overview of the Ultra course environment, with a focus on navigating and utilizing the platform to enhance teaching and learning experiences.

Session Breakdown:

First Hour: Ultra Course Environment (60 minutes)

Introduction to Blackboard Learn Ultra: Get acquainted with the interface of Ultra and explore its key features.
Navigating the Course: Learn how to efficiently navigate through the course environment and manage the course tools.
Types of Course Content: Discover the different types of course content you can have in an Ultra course and how to navigate through them.
Communication and Collaboration Tools: Explore the communication tools available in Ultra, including discussion boards, announcements, and messaging, to foster student engagement.

Optional Gradebook Overview (Last 30 minutes)

Introduction to Gradebook: Learn the essentials of the Ultra Gradebook and how to navigate and use the different views.
Grading Assignments and Providing Feedback: Explore the process of grading assignments, quizzes, and other assessments, as well providing feedback to students.
Creating Accommodation for students: Learn how to create course wide accommodation, exceptions and exemptions for students.

Note: Participation in the last 30 minutes of the session is optional. If you are already familiar with the Gradebook or do not use it, you may choose to leave the session after the first hour.

Who Should Attend: This training is ideal for faculty, program assistants, and administrative staff who are new to Blackboard Learn Ultra and want to gain confidence in using its features.

Date and Time:

March 7, 2025
Time: 10:00 – 11:30
Duration: 90 minutes
Format: Online

Complete the registration form to register for your session. You will receive a confirmation calendar invite with information and a link to join the online session closer to the date.
For more information email ctli@jibc.ca.

March Training Sessions: Intro to Blackboard Learn Ultra
2025-03-11 12:00 - 13:30 | Centre for Teaching, Learning and Innovation
Overview:
This introductory training session is designed for educators and staff who are new to Blackboard Learn Ultra. Over the course of 90 minutes, participants will receive a comprehensive overview of the Ultra course environment, with a focus on navigating and utilizing the platform to enhance teaching and learning experiences.

Session Breakdown:

First Hour: Ultra Course Environment (60 minutes)

Introduction to Blackboard Learn Ultra: Get acquainted with the interface of Ultra and explore its key features.
Navigating the Course: Learn how to efficiently navigate through the course environment and manage the course tools.
Types of Course Content: Discover the different types of course content you can have in an Ultra course and how to navigate through them.
Communication and Collaboration Tools: Explore the communication tools available in Ultra, including discussion boards, announcements, and messaging, to foster student engagement.

Optional Gradebook Overview (Last 30 minutes)

Introduction to Gradebook: Learn the essentials of the Ultra Gradebook and how to navigate and use the different views.
Grading Assignments and Providing Feedback: Explore the process of grading assignments, quizzes, and other assessments, as well providing feedback to students.
Creating Accommodation for students: Learn how to create course wide accommodation, exceptions and exemptions for students.

Note: Participation in the last 30 minutes of the session is optional. If you are already familiar with the Gradebook or do not use it, you may choose to leave the session after the first hour.

Who Should Attend: This training is ideal for faculty, program assistants, and administrative staff who are new to Blackboard Learn Ultra and want to gain confidence in using its features.

Date and Time:

March 11, 2025
Time: 12:00 – 1:30
Duration: 90 minutes
Format: Online

Complete the registration form to register for your session. You will receive a confirmation calendar invite with information and a link to join the online session closer to the date.
For more information email ctli@jibc.ca.

WIL: Reflection in Action - A Hands-On Workshop
2025-03-12 11:00 - 13:00 | JIBC NW Campus, 715 McBride Boulevard, New Westminster, British Columbia, V3L 5T4, Canada
Facilitators: Leva Lee, Advisor, Learning + Teaching, and Helena Prins, Advisor, Learning + Teaching, BCcampus

In this interactive two-hour workshop, Leva Lee and Helena Prins, advisors on the BCcampus Teaching and Learning team, will guide participants through the power and practice of reflection in action, a critical tool for deep learning, self-awareness, and growth in both personal and professional contexts.

Participants will explore:

Why reflection matters – Understanding its role in learning, decision-making, and personal development.
Effective prompts – How to craft and use reflective prompts to foster deeper insights.
Ways to engage – How participants can respond to reflection prompts in different formats.
Creative reflection activities – Engaging, hands-on exercises designed to bring reflection to life.

Through experiential learning, attendees will participate in various reflective exercises, gaining practical tools and strategies to integrate into their teaching, learning, and daily practices.

Join us to reflect, connect, and grow!

Please let your instructors know and invite them to register. There is no cost for JIBC staff/faculty.

Click here to complete your registration.

Priority for registration is for practising JIBC instructors. If you are not currently in a teaching role, but you are interested in the workshop, you may still be able to join if there are enough spaces. If demand exceeds our capacity to deliver, we may also consider offering a second delivery at a later date.

Leva Lee (she/her) is an advisor of learning and teaching at BCcampus. She has many years of experience leading online learning projects and professional development opportunities for the secondary and post-secondary education sectors in B.C., with a background in open and distance learning and educational technology. Her special interests are micro-learning design, fostering communities of practice, and creative facilitation practices for learning engagement. She is a Liberating Structures practitioner and an enthusiastic promoter of the B.C. post-secondary community and those committed to improving the student experience. When not online, you can find Leva inspecting her fledgling flower and vegetable garden, reading one of too many recipe books, or trying to eke out time in the day to sketch or do art.

Helena Prins (she/her) is an advisor of learning and teaching at BCcampus, where she coordinates the Facilitating Learning Online (FLO) portfolio. She began her career as a high school teacher in South Africa. Over the past 20 years, she has taught students of all ages and stages on four continents. A golden thread throughout her career has been breaking down barriers to learning. Prior to joining BCcampus in 2020, she worked as a career learning and development advisor at Royal Roads University. As an immigrant she continues to value the opportunity to support all students, especially international students, in finding and building their career path in Canada. She is a certified career strategist with Career Professionals Canada and associate faculty at Royal Roads University. Helena can be reached via email at hprins@bccampus.ca, and her LinkedIn profile is available at linkedin.com/in/helenaprins.

WIL: Community-Based Research Canada Workshop
2025-03-21 10:30 - 13:00 | Webinar
Facilitators: Amanda Demmer, Learning Specialist and Program Coordinator, and Joanna Ochocka, Executive Director, Community-Based Research Canada.

This interactive workshop will explore community-based research (CBR) as a community-driven, participatory, and action-oriented approach to research. This session will introduce key principles of CBR, emphasizing the collaborative nature of a CBR approach requiring strong community partnerships and shared control over research. Through discussions and practical examples, participants will learn theory what a community-based research approach entails and how it can be applied. By the end of the session, participants will understand the hallmarks, functions, and phases of CBR and what makes CBR different from traditional research approaches and will be equipped with tools to form equitable partnerships with community organizations for collaborative CBR projects. Participants will also be given resources for learning more about community-based research and engaging with Community-Based Research Canada.

Please let your instructors know and invite them to register. There is no cost for JIBC staff/faculty.

Click here to complete your registration.

Priority for registration is for practising JIBC instructors. If you are not currently in a teaching role, but you are interested in the workshop, you may still be able to join if there are enough spaces. If demand exceeds our capacity to deliver, we may also consider offering a second delivery at a later date.

Amanda Demmer is a community-based researcher, program evaluator, and a learning specialist. She has been practicing community-based research and evaluation for almost a decade, and teaching about it for over five years. Amanda is currently a PhD Candidate in Public Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo and holds a Master of Arts degree in Community Psychology. As a researcher, Amanda specializes in program evaluation within health, mental health, and social services, and as a PhD student her team won the Canadian Evaluation Society Student Evaluation Case Competition and went on to represent Team Canada at the World Evaluation Competition. Amanda has previously worked in research and evaluation roles within government, academia, and non-profit, including leading the Ontario evaluation within the national Roots of Hope community suicide intervention by the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Joanna Ochocka is one of Canada’s top leaders and contributors in the field of community- based research. As Co-Chair/Executive Director of Community Based Research Canada (CBRCanada) and adjunct associate professor at the University of Waterloo, she practises daily her unique research methodology and its value by promoting community-university engagements through research, teaching, coaching and collaborative initiatives. She is also one of the founding members of CBRCanada.​

For 25 years, Joanna served as the executive director of the Centre for Community Based Research (CCBR), a trailblazer in conducting community-based research outside academia (with over 400 research projects). Joanna was distinguished twice for her teaching when she received the Teaching Excellence Awards at both Wilfrid Laurier University in (2005) and at University of Waterloo in (2020). She helped establish the Community Research Ethics Office (CREO) and organized the C2UExpo conferences, which are the largest gatherings globally showcasing community-university partnerships from around the world. Joanna has led a National Summit on pursuing excellence in collaborative community campus research (a springboard for the community-based research excellence tool CBRET) and co-instructed the first national certified course on community-based research fundamentals and excellence (2022). Her list of publications includes a book, 58 journal articles and over 80 research resources.
Driven by her passion and dedication, Joanna sees community-based research as a tool for equity and justice within societies.

April Training Sessions: Intro to Blackboard Learn Ultra
2025-04-23 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Overview:
This introductory training session is designed for educators and staff who are new to Blackboard Learn Ultra. Over the course of 60 minutes, participants will receive a comprehensive overview of the Ultra course environment, with a focus on navigating and utilizing the platform to enhance teaching and learning experiences.

Session Breakdown:

Ultra Course Environment (60 minutes)

Introduction to Blackboard Learn Ultra: Get acquainted with the interface of Ultra and explore its key features.
Navigating the Course: Learn how to efficiently navigate through the course environment and manage the course tools.
Types of Course Content: Discover the different types of course content you can have in an Ultra course and how to navigate through them.
Communication and Collaboration Tools: Explore the communication tools available in Ultra, including discussion boards, announcements, and messaging, to foster student engagement.

Who Should Attend: This training is ideal for faculty, program assistants, and administrative staff who are new to Blackboard Learn Ultra and want to gain confidence in using its features.

Date and Time:

Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online

Complete the registration form to register for your session. You will receive a confirmation calendar invite with information and a link to join the online session closer to the date.
For more information email ctli@jibc.ca.

May Training Series: Introduction to Blackboard Learn Ultra
2025-05-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Overview:
This introductory training session is designed for educators and staff who are new to Blackboard Learn Ultra. Over the course of 60 minutes, participants will receive a comprehensive overview of the Ultra course environment, with a focus on navigating and utilizing the platform to enhance teaching and learning experiences.

Session Breakdown (60 mins):

Introduction to Blackboard Learn Ultra: Get acquainted with the interface of Ultra and explore its key features.
Navigating the Course: Learn how to efficiently navigate through the course environment and manage the course tools.
Types of Course Content: Discover the different types of course content you can have in an Ultra course and how to navigate through them.
Communication and Collaboration Tools: Explore the communication tools available in Ultra, including discussion boards, announcements, and messaging, to foster student engagement.

Who Should Attend: This training is ideal for faculty, program assistants, and administrative staff who are new to Blackboard Learn Ultra and want to gain confidence in using its features.

Date and Time:

Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online

Complete the registration form to register for your session. You will receive a confirmation calendar invite with information and a link to join the online session closer to the date.

For more information email ctli@jibc.ca.

May Training Series: Blackboard Learn Ultra: Build Your Course
2025-05-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Overview:
In this training session, we will build off the orientation training you’ve received to gain the essential skills in order to build and organize your course content in Blackboard Learn Ultra.

Session Breakdown (60 mins):
By the end of the session, you will be able to:

Copy course content from an existing course shell
Create course materials such as documents and folders
Upload files to the content collection
Create and set up assignments
Create and engage in discussion activities

Who Should Attend: This training is ideal for faculty, instructional designers, curriculum developers, multimedia web specialists, and program staff who support management of Blackboard courses.

Date and Time:

Thursday, May 15, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online

Complete the registration form to register for your session. You will receive a confirmation calendar invite with information and a link to join the online session closer to the date.

For more information email ctli@jibc.ca.

May Training Series: Blackboard Learn Ultra: Gradebook
2025-05-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Overview:
In this final training of the series, we will complete your course orientation and development by giving you an overview of your gradebook and training on how to navigate and use key features of the Blackboard Ultra Gradebook.

Session Breakdown (60 mins):
By the end of the session, you will be able to:

Understand how to navigate your gradebook views and columns
Create, delete, and manage columns in your gradebook
Mark assessments
Create and calculate your overall grade in your gradebook
Use the ILP tool to upload your final grades to Colleague

Who Should Attend: This training is ideal for faculty, instructional designers, curriculum developers, multimedia web specialists, and program staff who support management of Blackboard courses.

Date and Time:

Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online

Complete the registration form to register for your session. You will receive a confirmation calendar invite with information and a link to join the online session closer to the date.
For more information email ctli@jibc.ca.

Introduction to Blackboard Learn Ultra
2025-06-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Overview:
This introductory training session is designed for educators and staff who are new to Blackboard Learn Ultra. Over the course of 60 minutes, participants will receive a comprehensive overview of the Ultra course environment, with a focus on navigating and utilizing the platform to enhance teaching and learning experiences.

Session Breakdown (60 mins):

Introduction to Blackboard Learn Ultra: Get acquainted with the interface of Ultra and explore its key features.
Navigating the Course: Learn how to efficiently navigate through the course environment and manage the course tools.
Types of Course Content: Discover the different types of course content you can have in an Ultra course and how to navigate through them.
Communication and Collaboration Tools: Explore the communication tools available in Ultra, including discussion boards, announcements, and messaging, to foster student engagement.

Who Should Attend: This training is ideal for faculty, program assistants, and administrative staff who are new to Blackboard Learn Ultra and want to gain confidence in using its features.

Date and Time:

Monday, June 2, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online

Complete the registration form to register for your session. You will receive a confirmation calendar invite with information and a link to join the online session closer to the date.

For more information email ctli@jibc.ca.

Blackboard Learn Ultra: Build Your Course
2025-06-10 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Overview:
In this training session, we will build off the orientation training you’ve received to gain the essential skills in order to build and organize your course content in Blackboard Learn Ultra.

Session Breakdown (60 mins):
By the end of the session, you will be able to:

Copy course content from an existing course shell
Create course materials such as documents and folders
Upload files to the course content
Create and set up assignments
Create and engage in discussion activities

Who Should Attend: This training is ideal for faculty, instructional designers, curriculum developers, multimedia web specialists, and program staff who support management of Blackboard courses.

Date and Time:

Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online

Complete the registration form to register for your session. You will receive a confirmation calendar invite with information and a link to join the online session closer to the date.
For more information email ctli@jibc.ca.

Blackboard Learn Ultra: Gradebook
2025-06-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Overview:
In this final training of the series, we will complete your course orientation and development by giving you an overview of your gradebook and training on how to navigate and use key features of the Blackboard Ultra Gradebook.

Session Breakdown (60 mins):
By the end of the session, you will be able to:

Understand how to navigate your gradebook views and columns
Create, delete, and manage columns in your gradebook
Mark assessments
Create and calculate your overall grade in your gradebook
Use the ILP tool to upload your final grades to Colleague

Who Should Attend: This training is ideal for faculty, instructional designers, curriculum developers, multimedia web specialists, and program staff who support management of Blackboard courses.

Date and Time:

Friday, June 20, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online

Complete the registration form to register for your session. You will receive a confirmation calendar invite with information and a link to join the online session closer to the date.
For more information email ctli@jibc.ca.

Introduction to Blackboard Learn Ultra
2025-07-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
Overview:
This introductory training session is designed for educators and staff who are new to Blackboard Learn Ultra. Over the course of 60 minutes, participants will receive a comprehensive overview of the Ultra course environment, with a focus on navigating and utilizing the platform to enhance teaching and learning experiences.

Session Breakdown (60 mins):

Introduction to Blackboard Learn Ultra: Get acquainted with the interface of Ultra and explore its key features.
Navigating the Course: Learn how to efficiently navigate through the course environment and manage the course tools.
Types of Course Content: Discover the different types of course content you can have in an Ultra course and how to navigate through them.
Communication and Collaboration Tools: Explore the communication tools available in Ultra, including discussion boards, announcements, and messaging, to foster student engagement.

Who Should Attend: This training is ideal for faculty, program assistants, and administrative staff who are new to Blackboard Learn Ultra and want to gain confidence in using its features.

Date and Time:

Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online

Complete the registration form to register for your session. You will receive a confirmation calendar invite with information and a link to join the online session closer to the date.

For more information email ctli@jibc.ca.

Blackboard Learn Ultra: Build Your Course
2025-07-08 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Overview:
In this training session, we will build off the orientation training you’ve received to gain the essential skills in order to build and organize your course content in Blackboard Learn Ultra.

Session Breakdown (60 mins):
By the end of the session, you will be able to:

Copy course content from an existing course shell
Create course materials such as documents and folders
Upload files to the course content
Create and set up assignments
Create and engage in discussion activities

Who Should Attend: This training is ideal for faculty, instructional designers, curriculum developers, multimedia web specialists, and program staff who support management of Blackboard courses.

Date and Time:

Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online

Complete the registration form to register for your session. You will receive a confirmation calendar invite with information and a link to join the online session closer to the date.
For more information email ctli@jibc.ca.

INDC-1110: Essential Skills for Training & Facilitation for JIBC Faculty & Staff
2025-07-15 08:30 - 2025-07-17 16:30 | JIBC New Westminster Campus, 715 McBride Boulevard, New Westminster, British Columbia, V3L 5T4, Canada
REGISTER NOW!

Interested in developing your essential skills for training & facilitation? Our next offering will be held on July 15, 16 and 17th, 2025.

INDC-1110: Essential Skills for Training & Facilitation provides you with the fundamentals to design, facilitate and assess effective training. Learners will explore the principles of adult learning and brain-based methodology and how these concepts apply to their own work environment.

This course is helpful for a variety of learners. You may be a new instructor needing some orientation to instructional skills development, or an experienced instructor who wants a refresher, or a staff person who is required to deliver training and presentations as part of your job.

Each day during the course, learners will facilitate a short training session that they have developed themselves, receive feedback from their peers and coaches, and set new goals for their training effectiveness. By the end of this course, learners will have measurably increased their competence and confidence in designing and facilitating effective training sessions.

Please note, this course has approximately 3 hours of pre-work prior to Day 1 of the course. More information will be shared with learners prior to the course with details.

This course is available at no cost to JIBC staff and faculty. You must confirm your attendance at this training with your respective program manager. Registration is limited to 12 participants.

REGISTER NOW!

Contact Dave Smulders for more information.

Using PebblePad to Support Applied & Reflective Learning
2025-07-24 11:00 - 12:00 | Webinar
PebblePad Workshop Summer Series 2025

Workshop #1: Using PebblePad to Support Applied and Reflective Learning
Thursday, July 24, 2025
11:00 am – 12:00 pm | online
Facilitator: Susan Bonham, Langara College

PebblePad is a flexible platform that supports experiential, competency-based learning across a wide range of professional programs. This workshop will highlight how Langara College uses PebblePad in clinical and practicum-based courses to help students reflect on their learning, document applied skills, and demonstrate readiness for professional practice. Participants will explore practical examples and consider how similar approaches can support reflection, assessment, and skills development in their own teaching. The session will also showcase assessment workflows and feedback tools that enhance both instructor efficiency and student learning.

Register now!

Contact Dave Smulders for more information.

About Our Facilitator: Susan Bonham
I have an MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from UBC’s Faculty of Education, as well as a one-year diploma in teaching ESL from VCC. I spent six years teaching government-funded courses to immigrants and refugees before moving to Langara. At Langara, I taught English for Academic Purposes for seven years before moving to Langara’s Educational Technology Department as an EdTech Advisor (non-instructional faculty position). All of my teaching was with adult learners, and many of them were highly educated with many years of professional experience in their background.

Since moving to Langara’s EdTech Department in 2020, a great deal of my focus has been on ePortfolios and PebblePad. I led the PebblePad pilot that ran from 2021-2023 and have continued to be heavily involved in growing ePortfolio practice at the College since we moved past our pilot phase. Supporting and growing PebblePad use has been an incredible opportunity for me to learn about folio thinking, experiential learning, and authentic assessment. My experience ranges from the pedagogy (or androgogy if you prefer) of portfolio practice to an in-depth knowledge of the PebblePad platform (including the assessment side, ATLAS). I have given workshops on the entire spectrum, mostly to faculty but increasingly for students as well.

Blackboard Learn Ultra: Gradebook
2025-07-30 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Overview:
In this final training of the series, we will complete your course orientation and development by giving you an overview of your gradebook and training on how to navigate and use key features of the Blackboard Ultra Gradebook.

Session Breakdown (60 mins):
By the end of the session, you will be able to:

Understand how to navigate your gradebook views and columns
Create, delete, and manage columns in your gradebook
Mark assessments
Create and calculate your overall grade in your gradebook
Use the ILP tool to upload your final grades to Colleague

Who Should Attend: This training is ideal for faculty, instructional designers, curriculum developers, multimedia web specialists, and program staff who support management of Blackboard courses.

Date and Time:

Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online

Complete the registration form to register for your session. You will receive a confirmation calendar invite with information and a link to join the online session closer to the date.
For more information email ctli@jibc.ca.

Introduction to Blackboard Learn Ultra
2025-08-13 11:00 - 12:00 | Webinar
Overview:
This introductory training session is designed for educators and staff who are new to Blackboard Learn Ultra. Over the course of 60 minutes, participants will receive a comprehensive overview of the Ultra course environment, with a focus on navigating and utilizing the platform to enhance teaching and learning experiences.

Session Breakdown (60 mins):

Introduction to Blackboard Learn Ultra: Get acquainted with the interface of Ultra and explore its key features.
Navigating the Course: Learn how to efficiently navigate through the course environment and manage the course tools.
Types of Course Content: Discover the different types of course content you can have in an Ultra course and how to navigate through them.
Communication and Collaboration Tools: Explore the communication tools available in Ultra, including discussion boards, announcements, and messaging, to foster student engagement.

Who Should Attend: This training is ideal for faculty, program assistants, and administrative staff who are new to Blackboard Learn Ultra and want to gain confidence in using its features.

Date and Time:

Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online

Complete the registration form to register for your session. You will receive a confirmation calendar invite with information and a link to join the online session closer to the date.

For more information email ctli@jibc.ca.

Blackboard Learn Ultra: Build Your Course
2025-08-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Overview:
In this training session, we will build off the orientation training you’ve received to gain the essential skills in order to build and organize your course content in Blackboard Learn Ultra.

Session Breakdown (60 mins):
By the end of the session, you will be able to:

Copy course content from an existing course shell
Create course materials such as documents and folders
Upload files to the course content
Create and set up assignments
Create and engage in discussion activities

Who Should Attend: This training is ideal for faculty, instructional designers, curriculum developers, multimedia web specialists, and program staff who support management of Blackboard courses.

Date and Time:

Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online

Complete the registration form to register for your session. You will receive a confirmation calendar invite with information and a link to join the online session closer to the date.
For more information email ctli@jibc.ca.

Supporting PebblePad Adoption in Professional Programs
2025-08-21 11:00 - 12:00 | Webinar
PebblePad Workshop Summer Series 2025

Workshop #2: Lessons from the Field: Supporting PebblePad Adoption in Professional Programs
Thursday, August 21, 2025
11:00 am – 12:00 pm | online
Facilitator: Susan Bonham, Langara College

What does it take to successfully implement a new learning platform in a professional education setting? This session shares Langara College’s experience navigating common adoption challenges with PebblePad—challenges that will feel familiar to faculty and program leaders working in applied and professional programs. We’ll cover practical issues like instructor onboarding, designing meaningful learning tasks, and integrating assessment tools, as well as what we’ve learned from student feedback. Come learn what worked (and what didn’t) to support a smooth and effective rollout.

Register now!

Contact Dave Smulders for more information.

About Our Facilitator: Susan Bonham
I have an MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from UBC’s Faculty of Education, as well as a one-year diploma in teaching ESL from VCC. I spent six years teaching government-funded courses to immigrants and refugees before moving to Langara. At Langara, I taught English for Academic Purposes for seven years before moving to Langara’s Educational Technology Department as an EdTech Advisor (non-instructional faculty position). All of my teaching was with adult learners, and many of them were highly educated with many years of professional experience in their background.

Since moving to Langara’s EdTech Department in 2020, a great deal of my focus has been on ePortfolios and PebblePad. I led the PebblePad pilot that ran from 2021-2023 and have continued to be heavily involved in growing ePortfolio practice at the College since we moved past our pilot phase. Supporting and growing PebblePad use has been an incredible opportunity for me to learn about folio thinking, experiential learning, and authentic assessment. My experience ranges from the pedagogy (or androgogy if you prefer) of portfolio practice to an in-depth knowledge of the PebblePad platform (including the assessment side, ATLAS). I have given workshops on the entire spectrum, mostly to faculty but increasingly for students as well.

Blackboard Learn Ultra: Gradebook
2025-08-25 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Overview:
In this final training of the series, we will complete your course orientation and development by giving you an overview of your gradebook and training on how to navigate and use key features of the Blackboard Ultra Gradebook.

Session Breakdown (60 mins):
By the end of the session, you will be able to:

Understand how to navigate your gradebook views and columns
Create, delete, and manage columns in your gradebook
Mark assessments
Create and calculate your overall grade in your gradebook
Use the ILP tool to upload your final grades to Colleague

Who Should Attend: This training is ideal for faculty, instructional designers, curriculum developers, multimedia web specialists, and program staff who support management of Blackboard courses.

Date and Time:

Monday, August 25, 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online

Complete the registration form to register for your session. You will receive a confirmation calendar invite with information and a link to join the online session closer to the date.
For more information email ctli@jibc.ca.

Introduction to Blackboard Learn Ultra
2025-09-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Overview:
This introductory training session is designed for educators and staff who are new to Blackboard Learn Ultra. Over the course of 60 minutes, participants will receive a comprehensive overview of the Ultra course environment, with a focus on navigating and utilizing the platform to enhance teaching and learning experiences.

Session Breakdown (60 mins):

Introduction to Blackboard Learn Ultra: Get acquainted with the interface of Ultra and explore its key features.
Navigating the Course: Learn how to efficiently navigate through the course environment and manage the course tools.
Types of Course Content: Discover the different types of course content you can have in an Ultra course and how to navigate through them.
Communication and Collaboration Tools: Explore the communication tools available in Ultra, including discussion boards, announcements, and messaging, to foster student engagement.

Who Should Attend: This training is ideal for faculty, program assistants, and administrative staff who are new to Blackboard Learn Ultra and want to gain confidence in using its features.

Date and Time:

Friday, September 5, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online

Complete the registration form to register for your session. You will receive a confirmation calendar invite with information and a link to join the online session closer to the date.

For more information email ctli@jibc.ca.

Blackboard Learn Ultra: Build Your Course
2025-09-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Overview:
In this training session, we will build off the orientation training you’ve received to gain the essential skills in order to build and organize your course content in Blackboard Learn Ultra.

Session Breakdown (60 mins):
By the end of the session, you will be able to:

Copy course content from an existing course shell
Create course materials such as documents and folders
Upload files to the course content
Create and set up assignments
Create and engage in discussion activities

Who Should Attend: This training is ideal for faculty, instructional designers, curriculum developers, multimedia web specialists, and program staff who support management of Blackboard courses.

Date and Time:

Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online

Complete the registration form to register for your session. You will receive a confirmation calendar invite with information and a link to join the online session closer to the date.
For more information email ctli@jibc.ca.

Blackboard Learn Ultra: Gradebook
2025-09-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Overview:
In this final training of the series, we will complete your course orientation and development by giving you an overview of your gradebook and training on how to navigate and use key features of the Blackboard Ultra Gradebook.

Session Breakdown (60 mins):
By the end of the session, you will be able to:

Understand how to navigate your gradebook views and columns
Create, delete, and manage columns in your gradebook
Mark assessments
Create and calculate your overall grade in your gradebook
Use the ILP tool to upload your final grades to Colleague

Who Should Attend: This training is ideal for faculty, instructional designers, curriculum developers, multimedia web specialists, and program staff who support management of Blackboard courses.

Date and Time:

Monday, September 15, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online

Complete the registration form to register for your session. You will receive a confirmation calendar invite with information and a link to join the online session closer to the date.

For more information email facultydevelopment@jibc.ca.

Studio Open House 2025
2025-09-24 11:00 - 13:00 | JIBC NW Campus, 715 McBride Boulevard, New Westminster, British Columbia, V3L 5T4, Canada
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
11:00 am – 1:00 pm (drop in over your lunch break!)
JIBC NW Studio (Basement Level)

Come see what’s new in the JIBC Studio!
Our media producer, Blake, and the rest of our CTLI team are excited to welcome you into the refreshed studio space. Over the past year, we’ve made major improvements—including:

A brand-new green screen setup
A ready-to-go set for quick, polished recordings
A dedicated podcasting corner

Whether you’re curious about adding multimedia elements to your courses, exploring new ways to engage learners, or simply want a behind-the-scenes tour, this is your chance to discover what’s possible.

Drop in, get inspired, and start imagining how you might use the studio in your teaching and programs.

Click the Add to Calendar button below to make sure you don’t miss our event!

For more information email facultydevelopment@jibc.ca.

Introduction to Community-Based Research and JIBC’s New Membership
2025-10-02 11:00 - 12:00 | Webinar
Date/Time: Thursday, October 2, 2025 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Format: Virtual

JIBC is now a proud institutional member of Community-Based Research Canada (CBRC)! But what does that mean for you?

This introductory session will:

Outline what community-based research is and why it matters.
Explore how it can strengthen research projects and deepen community engagement.
Provide an overview of CBRC, the benefits of our institutional membership, and the opportunities available to JIBC researchers.

Whether you’re new to research or looking to expand your practice, this session is a great way to learn about the support and resources now available through our membership.

For more information or to register, contact wil@jibc.ca.

About Our Presenter

Amanda Demmer
Amanda has practiced and promoted community-based approaches to research and evaluation within community, not-for-profit, and government spaces since completing her Master of Arts in Community Psychology in 2015. Amanda holds designation as a Credentialed Evaluator (CE) by the Canadian Evaluation Society and has specialized in applying participatory approaches to evaluating community-led mental health initiatives. Recently returning to academia for a PhD in Public Health, Amanda strives to bring her expertise in community research to academic spaces and strengthen collaboration between community and university. She also works as an Adjunct Researcher within the Lambton College Centre for Community, Health & Social Impact and an Instructor in the University of Guelph’s Certificate in Knowledge Mobilization.

Amanda has extensive experience in planning, conducting, and mobilizing the results of program evaluations and community-based research, as well as expertise in course design, course instruction, and workshop development and facilitation on topics including community-based research, program evaluation, and knowledge mobilization. ​Amanda promotes research as a tool for innovation that can advance social justice, equity, and community and individual wellbeing.

An Introduction to the AI Toolkit for Educators
2025-10-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
CTLI, JIBC Library, The Writing Centre, and Student Services Hosts AI Week at the JIBC!
What’s World AI Week?
As you know, there is a lot going on in the world of AI. This new and growing technology is spreading like wildfire and upending many of our current educational practices, among other major disruptions. October 6-10 is World AI Week, led by an organization called Inspired Minds, who have organized an international conference on AI during this week.

At JIBC, we are planning our own events for World AI week, and we’d like you to be part of the action! We would like to use this week as an opportunity to gather and discuss how AI is affecting our work as educators.

Our hope is that we can engage with a range of members of our JIBC community to talk about how AI is affecting our practices as educators while considering effective responses to this new technology.

An Introduction to the AI Toolkit for Educators with BCcampus (Gwen Nguyen)
Monday, October 6th, 2025 | 10:00am – 11:00am | Virtual (Teams)

In this introductory workshop, participants will be introduced to the GenAI in Teaching and Learning Toolkit, designed to support educators in understanding and integrating Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools within their teaching practice. The session will begin with an introduction to GenAI literacy skills required for teaching and learning, addressing both pedagogical opportunities and ethical considerations in educational contexts. Through guided practice, participants will then engage with selected toolkit activiti(es), gaining hands-on experience with GenAI integration strategies while exploring practical implementation steps.

Register here!

For more information email facultydevelopment@jibc.ca.

About our facilitator
Gwen Nguyen (she/her) is a learning and teaching advisor at BCcampus, an organization in British Columbia, Canada that supports the adaptation and evolution of teaching and learning practices in post-secondary education through collaboration, innovation, and digital technologies. Prior to BCcampus, Gwen worked as a learning experience designer at the University of Victoria, supporting educators with developing and delivering courses in all the modes: face to face, hybrid, and online. She has also worked as a university lecturer and researcher at the University of Victoria and the Kanazawa Institute of Technology in Japan. Gwen holds a PhD in education studies and an MA in applied linguistics. Recently, Gwen has cultivated a keen interest in pedagogical strategies that ethically and creatively incorporate AI into teaching and learning.

Your AI Ideas, One Note at a Time
2025-10-06 12:00 - 2025-10-10 13:00 | JIBC New Westminster Campus, 715 McBride Boulevard, New Westminster, British Columbia, V3L 5T4, Canada
CTLI, JIBC Library, The Writing Centre, and Student Services Hosts AI Week at the JIBC!
What’s World AI Week?
As you know, there is a lot going on in the world of AI. This new and growing technology is spreading like wildfire and upending many of our current educational practices, among other major disruptions. October 6-10 is World AI Week, led by an organization called Inspired Minds, who have organized an international conference on AI during this week.

At JIBC, we are planning our own events for World AI week, and we’d like you to be part of the action! We would like to use this week as an opportunity to gather and discuss how AI is affecting our work as educators.

Our hope is that we can engage with a range of members of our JIBC community to talk about how AI is affecting our practices as educators while considering effective responses to this new technology.

Your AI Ideas, One Note at a Time (Atrium Engagement)
October 6th – October 10th, 2025 | 12:00pm – 1:00pm | In-Person (NW Campus)
Got thoughts about AI? We want to hear them! Throughout AI Week, we’re inviting the JIBC community to stop by the atrium and add your voice to our interactive question wall. Grab a sticky note, share your ideas, post your questions, or respond to prompts about generative AI.

Not sure what to write? Try reflecting on:

What questions do you have about using GenAI?
What tools (beyond ChatGPT) have you heard of or tried?
How are you (or aren’t you) using AI in your learning or work?

By the end of the week, we’ll collect the responses, highlight common themes, and share resources to keep the conversation going. This is a chance to make your voice part of how JIBC is exploring AI.

Register here!

For more information email facultydevelopment@jibc.ca.

Faculty Panel: Exploring AI in Education and Public Safety
2025-10-07 10:00 - 11:30 | Webinar
CTLI, JIBC Library, The Writing Centre, and Student Services Hosts AI Week at the JIBC!
What’s World AI Week?
As you know, there is a lot going on in the world of AI. This new and growing technology is spreading like wildfire and upending many of our current educational practices, among other major disruptions. October 6-10 is World AI Week, led by an organization called Inspired Minds, who have organized an international conference on AI during this week.

At JIBC, we are planning our own events for World AI week, and we’d like you to be part of the action! We would like to use this week as an opportunity to gather and discuss how AI is affecting our work as educators.

Our hope is that we can engage with a range of members of our JIBC community to talk about how AI is affecting our practices as educators while considering effective responses to this new technology.

Faculty Panel: Exploring AI in Education and Public Safety
Tuesday, October 7th, 2025 | 10:00am – 11:30am | Virtual (Teams)
What happens when AI moves from headlines into classrooms, labs, and public safety settings? Join us for a lively panel discussion with JIBC faculty who are already exploring these questions in their teaching and research.

Our panel will share their perspectives on:

Opportunities and challenges of AI in education.
How AI tools are being tested in public safety contexts, from emergency response to conflict resolution.
Real-world examples of AI in action and what they mean for our work.

This session is a chance to hear directly from colleagues who are grappling with the realities of AI — not just the hype. Bring your questions, spark new ideas, and join a thoughtful conversation about where AI is taking us next.

Register here!

For more information email facultydevelopment@jibc.ca.

About Our Panel
Dr. Lisa Richlen
Lead Instructor, Centre for Conflict Resolution

Lisa Richlen holds the role of Lead Instructor in the Centre for Conflict Resolution at the Justice Institute of British Columbia. She was first trained as a mediator in high school and subsequently trained peer mediators, volunteered for a community mediation centre and was a small claims court mediator. Experience in classroom teaching and a commitment to emotional intelligence led her to complete an M.A. in Social and Emotional Learning. She lived in Israel from 2000-2021 and worked as an employee of and a consultant for tens of social change and human rights organizations. Simultaneously, she was actively engaged in Arab/Jewish and Israeli/Palestinian dialogue on the personal level and worked as a group process facilitator, a Jewish advisor of an interfaith program and, briefly, as coordinator for an Israeli-Palestinian mediation program. In 2021, Richlen completed a PhD at Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Israel where her research focused on refugee-led organizations. Since moving to Vancouver in 2021, she has taught courses on human rights, ethnicity and ethnic relations, non-violent social change, race and ethnicity and social inequality in Canada at the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University and Langara College. She currently is a member of a refugee sponsorship committee and involved in welcoming newcomers to Canada more generally.

Dr. Firoz Verjee
Faculty, School of Public Safety

Dr. Firoz Verjee is a systems engineer with over 30 years of expertise in geospatial technologies and emergency management. He has held senior technical positions at George Washington University, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Geneva Centre for Humanitarian Demining, and the Aga Khan Development Network. He now serves as a full-time instructor in the Justice Institute of British Columbia’s School of Public Safety.

In Fall 2024, Firoz introduced Artificial Intelligence as a key theme in his course ESMS 3330: Technologies in Emergency Management, adding modules on the history, ethics, and practical applications of AI.

Dr. Sunny Mangat
Lead Faculty, Law Enforcement Studies Program

Dr. Sunny Mangat is a sociologist with a PhD from the University of Roehampton. As lead faculty in the Law Enforcement Studies Program and a researcher, she brings her curiosity and critical lens into the classroom—always asking how tools like ChatGPT can both support student learning and challenge us to think about ethics, creativity, and the future of higher education.

Her curiosity drives her to explore big questions: why students (and people in general) are drawn to using AI, how it is reshaping the classroom and research, and what its long-term implications might be for society. True to form, Sunny doesn’t just teach about AI—she experiments with it in real time. Case in point: she asked ChatGPT to help re-write this very bio, making her both the researcher and the research subject.

Melanie Meyers and Dave Smulders– Co-Moderators

Melanie and Dave bring extensive experience and a shared passion for education to their work at the Justice Institute of British Columbia’s Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation (CTLI), where they support excellence in teaching and learning.

Melanie has a background in Instructional Design and since joining JIBC in 2008, she has led award-winning projects in open educational resources, emerging technologies, and blended learning. As Program Director, she oversees curriculum development and represents CTLI across the institution and beyond.

Dave is an adult educator with nearly 30 years of experience in instructional design and faculty development. As Senior Manager of Faculty Development, he helps instructors improve their teaching through inclusive, engaging practices and leads professional development events throughout the year.

Together, Mel and Dave ensure CTLI is a trusted resource for instructional design, curriculum development, educational technology, and educator support—championing innovation across JIBC and the wider educational community.
