Join us in celebrating excellence in teaching, learning, and educational leadership at this year’s Teaching Awards Reception. This special event recognizes outstanding instructors and teaching support staff who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, innovation, and passion in supporting student success.

The celebration will feature a presentation by the 2025 Distinguished Instructor Award winner, lightning round presentations from the Teaching Innovation Award recipients, and posters from the Contribution to Teaching and Teaching Support award winners. Following the ceremony, guests are invited to enjoy light refreshments and connect with colleagues as we recognize our shared dedication to teaching and learning.

Please register by November 17th to help us finalize catering and ensure an accurate food order. 

Session 2: Workshop – Adapting the AI Assessment Scale for Our Context and Closing Remarks

Building on insights from the open forum, this interactive workshop will take a hands-on approach to exploring how the AI Assessment Scale can be applied to real assessment practices across disciplines. Working with sample assignments, faculty will test the scale, consider adaptations for our institutional context, and identify the supports and principles needed to integrate it into teaching and assessment. Outcomes from this workshop will be shared with the Senate Teaching and Learning Committee and may contribute to shaping future AI-related policies at the university.

To prepare for this workshop, participants are asked to do the following:

• Review Leon Furze’s AI Assessment Scale and to 

• Watch Leon Furze’s webinar, Attack Your Assessments (~46 mins).

• Bring an assignment from one of your classes that you would like to consider using in alignment with the AI Assessment Scale.

Delivery Format: Online via Zoom

Audience: Faculty, Lecturers and Lab Technicians

Click here to view the full Teaching and Learning Week Schedule

The good, the bad, and the algorithm: International students' experiences with AI at university

This interview-style session explores how international students navigate both the opportunities and challenges of AI in higher education. A student panel will share firsthand perspectives on how AI shapes their learning experiences and academic practices. The session aims to strengthen teaching, learning, and connection by fostering deeper understanding between students and instructors in the rapidly evolving AI era.

Delivery Format: Online via Zoom

Audience: Everyone is welcome

Click here to view the full Teaching and Learning Week Schedule

Session 2: Workshop – Adapting the AI Assessment Scale for Our Context

Building on insights from the open forum, this interactive workshop will take a hands-on approach to exploring how the AI Assessment Scale can be applied to real assessment practices across disciplines. Working with sample assignments, faculty will test the scale, consider adaptations for our institutional context, and identify the supports and principles needed to integrate it into teaching and assessment. Outcomes from this workshop will be shared with the Senate Teaching and Learning Committee and may contribute to shaping future AI-related policies at the university.

To prepare for this workshop, participants are asked to do the following:

• Review Leon Furze’s AI Assessment Scale and to 

• Watch Leon Furze’s webinar, Attack Your Assessments (~46 mins).

• Bring an assignment from one of your classes that you would like to consider using in alignment with the AI Assessment Scale.

Delivery Format: In-person Senate Chambers UC 1001 (Thunder Bay), OA 3041 (Orillia).  There will be a virtual option for this session on Thursday. 

Audience: Faculty, Lecturers and Lab Technicians

Click here to view the full Teaching and Learning Week Schedule

Study Smarter, Not Harder with Contact North | Contact Nord’s AI Tutor Pro

Join Dr. Ron Owston for a one-hour interactive workshop on how to study smarter, not harder. Participate in hands-on activities, upload documents, and explore any topic at any level—no user ID required. Learn with confidence through expert guidance and gain unique insights from the creator of AI Tutor Pro, with ample time for questions and experimentation.

Delivery Format: Online via Zoom

Audience: Everyone is welcome

Click here to view the full Teaching and Learning Week Schedule

Sliding Doors: Learning Opportunities Missed and Afforded by AI

The round-table discussions will feature faculty and students from a variety of disciplines to discuss their perception and experience of the impact of AI on teaching and learning. During the moderated discussion, the will respond to a series of prompts designed to have them their perspective on specific pedagogical issues such as the impact on learning objectives, active learning in the classroom, knowledge versus skill acquisition, the value of writing skills and critical thinking, non-native English speakers/international student learning and equity considerations, productivity versus creativity, workload and burnout, modeling ethical behaviour, and the environmental impacts of AI technology. The goal of the round-tables is to have students and instructors share their perspectives and concerns so that they might better understand one another’s excitement and misgivings.

Podcast: “The Myth of the AI First Draft with Leon Furze” (Episode 521 of Teaching in Higher Ed) https://teachinginhighered.com/podcast/the-myth-of-the-ai-first-draft/

Article: "Microsoft, Google and Amazon turn to nuclear energy to fuel the AI boom" https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/generative-ai-and-nuclear-energy-1.7362127

Delivery Format: In-person Senate Chambers UC 1001 (Thunder Bay), Orillia Dining Hall (Orillia)

Audience: Everyone is welcome

Click here to view the full Teaching and Learning Week Schedule

Session 1: Faculty Voices on the AI Assessment Scale

This open forum invites faculty to share their perspectives on Leon Furze’s AI Assessment Scale and its potential application at Lakehead University. Participants will engage in small-group conversations and large-group discussion to explore initial impressions, opportunities, and challenges. Feedback gathered in this session will help shape institutional thinking about assessment, academic integrity, and student success in the age of AI, and will directly inform the follow-up workshop later in the week.

Link to Assessment Scale:  https://leonfurze.com/2024/08/28/updating-the-ai-assessment-scale/

Delivery Format: Online via Zoom

Audience: Faculty, Lecturers and Lab Technicians

Click here to view the full Teaching and Learning Week Schedule

Teaching with AI

This session explores practical strategies for integrating AI in teaching to create meaningful learning experiences for both instructors and students. Drawing from examples of ongoing implementation in academic courses, the session highlights how AI tools can support curriculum development, enhance assessment transparency, and foster student engagement. Challenges and less successful approaches will also be discussed, offering lessons learned to inform future practice. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own AI integration efforts and consider approaches that balance pedagogical goals with ethical and practical considerations.

Delivery Format: Online via Zoom

Audience: Everyone is welcome

Click here to view the full Teaching and Learning Week Schedule

Session 1: Faculty Voices on the AI Assessment Scale

This open forum invites faculty to share their perspectives on Leon Furze’s AI Assessment Scale and its potential application at Lakehead University. Participants will engage in small-group conversations and large-group discussion to explore initial impressions, opportunities, and challenges. Feedback gathered in this session will help shape institutional thinking about assessment, academic integrity, and student success in the age of AI, and will directly inform the follow-up workshop later in the week.

Link to Assessment Scale:  https://leonfurze.com/2024/08/28/updating-the-ai-assessment-scale/

Delivery Format: In-person Senate Chambers UC 1001 (Thunder Bay), OA 3041 (Orillia).  There will be a virtual option for this session on Tuesday.

Audience: Faculty, Lecturers and Lab Technicians

Click here to view the full Teaching and Learning Week Schedule

Sliding Doors: Learning Opportunities Missed and Afforded by AI

The round-table discussions will feature faculty and students from a variety of disciplines to discuss their perception and experience of the impact of AI on teaching and learning. During the moderated discussion, the will respond to a series of prompts designed to have them their perspective on specific pedagogical issues such as the impact on learning objectives, active learning in the classroom, knowledge versus skill acquisition, the value of writing skills and critical thinking, non-native English speakers/international student learning and equity considerations, productivity versus creativity, workload and burnout, modeling ethical behaviour, and the environmental impacts of AI technology. The goal of the round-tables is to have students and instructors share their perspectives and concerns so that they might better understand one another’s excitement and misgivings.

Podcast: “The Myth of the AI First Draft with Leon Furze” (Episode 521 of Teaching in Higher Ed) https://teachinginhighered.com/podcast/the-myth-of-the-ai-first-draft/

Article: "Microsoft, Google and Amazon turn to nuclear energy to fuel the AI boom" https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/generative-ai-and-nuclear-energy-1.7362127

Delivery Format: In-person Senate Chambers UC 1001 (Thunder Bay), OA 3041 (Orillia) or virtually by Zoom

Audience: Everyone is welcome

Click here to view the full Teaching and Learning Week Schedule