P.D. for Teaching
Professional Development for Teaching activities support all of McMaster’s educators (TAs, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, instructors, faculty, and staff) as they strive to enhance their teaching and provide a positive student learning experience.
The MacPherson Institute designs and delivers a broad range of programming for educators throughout their careers from first-time teaching assistants to those preparing for teaching awards. Our goal is to provide flexible teaching development activities that are relevant to instructors at different career stages and with unique disciplinary contexts.
Key Statistics
500+ full-time faculty members reached from May 1, 2023 – April 30, 2024*
*524 of 1011 total full-time faculty members engaged in meaningful pedagogical discussions or activities during this period (includes consultations, workshops, events, retreats, meetings, and IQAP support.) Please note: this number is an estimate based on current tracking capabilities.
Information Box Group
425 Consultations, Meetings and Workshops were delivered to educators across all Faculties, Arts & Science and Campus Partners***
***Educators is intended to include, but not limited to, community partners, faculty, graduate students, librarians, postdoctoral fellows, sessional instructors, staff, teaching assistants, and undergraduate students who are involved in teaching in some capacity.
Accomplishments
Valuing and Evaluating Teaching Hub
Over the course of the Evaluation of Teaching Advisory Committee’s work in 2021 and subsequent 2022 implementation groups for revising McMaster’s Record of Activities, creating resources for the Peer Observation of Teaching process, and reframing Student Evaluations of Teaching to focus on students’ learning experience, it became evident that there are many projects underway at the institution to make meaningful enhancements to the work of valuing or evaluating teaching at McMaster. To coordinate and connect stakeholders involved in these various projects, the MacPherson Institute established a Valuing and Evaluating Teaching (VET) Hub. The purpose of this network was to facilitate connections across grassroots and centralized initiatives led by individuals or teams. The VET Hub will help foster the exchange of ideas, collaboration, and the identification of common challenges. The network also enables a direct line of communication with McMaster leadership and the broader university community, ensuring that their contributions to McMaster’s culture of teaching excellence are recognized.
Generative AI & Teaching and Learning
- The MacPherson Institute supported the Office of the Vice Provost, Teaching and Learning and the Deputy Provost in launching the Task Force on Generative AI in Teaching and Learning.
- In 2023, the Task Force developed the Provisional Guidelines on the Use of Generative AI in Teaching and Learning, recommended revisions to the academic integrity policy, and endorsed resources created by the MacPherson Institute.
- To support educators and programs the MacPherson Institute:
- Produced an asynchronous, self-paced module titled “Introduction to Generative AI for Educators”
- Developed the Generative Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Learning at McMaster University and The Curious Educator’s Guide to AI guidebooks.
- Launched the AI Dialogues podcast with 300+ listens over 10 episodes
- Delivered 2 assessment workshops, and facilitated more than 40 departmental or program workshops with over 500 educators participating.
Teaching Assistant Supports
- Enhanced content for the New TA Programming webpages
- New TA Guidebook created
Instructor Supports
- Enhanced content for the New Faculty Programming webpages
- New Introduction to Indigenous Cultural Competency online module added to the Learning Catalogue
- New Instructor Handbook created
Curriculum Development
Digital Pedagogy
Digital Pedagogy initiatives at McMaster support educators in enhancing their teaching through digital tools, media, and methods—aiming to create accessible, engaging learning experiences for all students. The MacPherson Institute offers training, guidance, and expertise in online, blended, and open learning design, as well as in the effective integration of educational technologies. Instructors can also seek advice on the pedagogical use of institutionally supported educational technology tools, Open Educational Resources (OER), and tech-enabled teaching and learning grants.
Key Metrics
MacVideo Usage (May 2024 – April 2025)
The MacPherson Institute provides training and support for MacVideo, McMaster’s video portal, which allows users to make videos and other media available online to anyone they choose.
Open Educational Resources Grant Program
The OER Grant program, supported by the Office of the Provost, McMaster Libraries, McMaster Students Union and the MacPherson Insititute, provides successful applicants with funding to create or adapt and customize OERs, enabling new pedagogical approaches and cost savings for students.
- 21 faculty, instructional assistants and staff received grants to support 11 projects to foster the creation of free online textbooks and other openly licensed digital education materials in 2024-2025.
- Continued funding for the Open Educational Resources (OER) Grant program has pushed the cumulative student savings beyond $1 million by replacing commercial textbooks and course materials with openly licensed materials authored, adapted, or adopted by McMaster instructors.
Universal Design for Learning Workshop Series
Over the past year, 83 educators participated in two workshop series focused on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and accessibility practices for course design and delivery. One workshop series was offered during Teaching and Learning Month (May 2024) and the other series was offered in connection to celebrations of the International Day of Persons with Disability (December 2024).
EdTech Stations & Studios
The MacPherson Institute continues to provide capacity building support for instructors interested in leveraging digital tools for course development and enhancement. The One Button Studio, Audio Studio and EdTech Stations are technology-enhanced spaces within the MacPherson Institute that provide educators access to experiment with developing learning modules, creating video and audio content and much more.
One Button Studio (Video Studio) Visits
Audio Studio Visits
EdTech Station Visits
Accomplishments
Digital Learning Strategic Framework
The MacPherson Institute continues to collaborate on the Digital Learning Strategic Framework (DLSF), which is situated under the Office of the Vice Provost – Teaching and Learning (OVPTL).
Dedicated DLSF Project Team
Several positions were appointed by the OVPTL in 2024–25 to coordinate, track and report on DLSF initiatives and to ensure alignment with McMaster’s broader institutional priorities, including the university’s Accessibility Roadmap and Generative AI Taskforce. Two members of the MacPherson Institute team were seconded to work on Digital Learning Strategic Framework initiatives.
- Joanne Kehoe, Lead Educational Developer – Digital Pedagogies from the MacPherson Institute, was appointed as the Manager, Digital Learning Strategic
- Lisa Dyce, Educational Developer at the MacPherson Institute, was appointed as an Educational Developer, Digital Learning Strategic Framework.
Additionally, the MacPherson Institute has supported several key initiatives that connect with DLSF priorities and projects.
Online Learning Course Development
The MacPherson Institute continues to support the Online Learning Fellows Program that is designed to assist educators with the creation of flexible and accessible online course development. In 2024-2025 a call for applications was circulated and the MacPherson Institute offered support for proposal reviews and delivered relevant programming to help fellows enhance their skills and expertise with online course considerations and design. Additionally, a new Online Course Design stream was added to the MacPherson Institute’s Students as Partners Program Call to pair faculty with students for co-creation and testing innovative digital course components.
Video Platform Review
The MacPherson Institute, in collaboration with University Technology Services and Campus Classroom Technologies, contributed to the Video Capture and Content Management System RFI/RFP process, supporting the development of a business case and vendor evaluation. The team assessed multiple platforms and outlined several options to meet McMaster’s video capture and content management needs. While we are waiting for a final decision to be communicated, this collaborative process advanced institutional conversations and clarified cost and feature comparisons. The MacPherson Institute continues to support the RFP process, ensuring alignment with accessibility requirements, feature integration, and ongoing support for teaching and learning needs.
Accessibility Fellowship Program
As part of the Accessible Teaching and Learning Roadmap STEER/R, the Accessibility Fellowship Program was designed to support and connect McMaster educators in contributing to accessibility work at the institution.
- Two Educational Developers from the MacPherson Institute were part of a cohort of McMaster faculty, instructors and staff that were awarded the Fellowship. As part of their Fellowship project, a number of impactful UDL narratives from McMaster student perspectives were collected. Interviews were completed with undergraduate and graduate students that identify as a student with a D/disability or a D/disabled student and some who do not identify as such but benefited from a UDL practice. At the request of the interviewees the stories were not published publicly or broadly.
- The MacPherson Institute delivered several workshops on UDL to provide training and support to fellowship participants.
STEER/R Project Support
The MacPherson Institute supported and co-facilitated the final few Journey Mapping Sessions in early Summer 2024. In response to the STEER/R final report and future recommendations, the MacPherson Institute has been working collaboratively with Kate Brown and Student Accessibility Services to develop a Faculty Support Model for an Accessible Course (Re)-Design pilot project. The first phase, focused on time-based accommodations in primarily large enrollment undergrad courses, is scheduled to launch in Summer 2025.
Learning Technology Systems
The MacPherson Institute supports, administers, and offers training for a range of learning technologies, including McMaster’s Learning Management System, Avenue to Learn. As instructors navigate hybrid teaching and integrate media into both in-person and online classrooms, these technologies play an increasingly vital role in shaping the student learning experience.
Key Metrics
The MacPherson Institute provides pedagogical training on a variety of educational technology tools that are institutionally supported.
Avenue to Learn Support
Avenue to Learn is McMaster’s Learning Management System and supports teaching and learning activities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education classes. The MacPherson Institute provides administrative, technical and training support for the platform (powered by D2L). Avenue provides a secure online space where instructors can share their content, learning resources, link to tools, administer assessments, conduct online discussions, distribute interim grades, collect assignment submissions, and serves as the online hub for their course.
Course Outline Library
The Course Outline Library provides a central repository of McMaster’s course outlines. The MacPherson Institute provides system support and administration as well as training and assistance in developing templates for individual faculties and programs.
Course Outlines Generated
Support Ticket Responses
Participants in 3 Virtual Training Sessions
Accomplishments
Hybrid and Flexible Classrooms
The MacPherson Institute participated in the development of an accessible hybrid classroom pilot project. As a result of this cross-functional work, McMaster will continue to plan for purpose-built classrooms that allow for flexibility when teaching to ensure that in-person locations can be adapted to hybrid, remote or in-person teaching modalities. One of the key learnings from participating in the pilot was that the technology is best served when choice and agency is given to students and faculty. The teaching and learning experience is enhanced when the modality suits the practice of the instructor and the needs of the students.
Avenue to Learn Enhancements
Over the past year, the Learning Technology Systems team has been preparing for a major Avenue to Learn upgrade scheduled for August 2025 that is intended to improve both functionality and user experience while maintaining familiarity with many core aspects of Avenue. The update will introduce a refreshed user interface, streamlined navigation, and new tools to better support teaching and learning. A cleaner interface and integration with the Course Outline Library will enhance course organization and allow easy access to course outlines. Additionally, the Learning Outcomes Tool will replace the Competencies tool, which will allow better alignment of course activities with learning goals.
McMaster’s current contract with D2L expires in October 2026. A contract renewal through an Ontario Education Collaborative Marketplace (OECM) buying agreement is being developed in close collaboration with University Technology Services, Procurement, and the Vice-Provost – Teaching and Learning.
Scholarly Teaching activities enhance teaching and learning by supporting, generating, disseminating, promoting and recognizing research that has the capacity to inform educational initiatives and student learning.
The MacPherson Institute’s research successes over the past five years are attributed to the rapid uptake of the Student Partners Program; successful support for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) capacity through grant funding, workshops, communities of practice, conferences and individual consultations; development of research programs focused on key areas of teaching and learning practice including equity and inclusion in higher education and student-faculty partnership; contributions to educational development in international contexts; and, the establishment of research collaborations and networks that support local and international research and practice more broadly.
Students as Partners Community Forum
In 2024, the MacPherson Institute planned and executed the Students as Partners Community Forum pilot event. The initiative brought together students and educators who have created, planned to create or have participated in student partnership programs within and beyond McMaster. The pilot events ran on May 28 and June 26, 2024.
International Journal for Students as Partners
The International Journal for Students as Partners (IJSaP) is a journal about learning and teaching together in higher education. IJSaP explores new perspectives, practices, and policies regarding how students and staff are working in partnership to enhance learning and teaching in higher education. Shared responsibility for teaching and learning is the underlying premise of students as partners, and IJSaP is produced using a student-staff partnership approach.
Manuscripts Published
Faculty Reviewers
Student Reviewers
Information Box Group
Downloads
Abstract Views
Accomplishments
- Grants and Awards criteria and processes were revised to include more specific considerations for EDIA
- Expanded support programming for grant recipients including invitations to participate in Monthly Writing Days, Summer Writing Retreat, and the Innovations in Education Conference.
- Launched the first Students as Partners Community Forum in May and June 2024 to share knowledge and expand networks of those interested or participating in student partnership.
Grant & Award Recipients
The MacPherson Institute recognizes and celebrates teaching and learning through a variety of awards and grant opportunities. Grants and awards support in acknowledging exceptional contributions to teaching as a professional practice and in some cases provide financial support to research or implement a teaching and learning initiative.
Expandable List
In partnership with the President’s Office, the MacPherson Institute supports the President’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Teaching and Learning.
Award Winners 2023
- Alpha Abebe, Faculty of Humanities
- Caitlin Mullarkey, Faculty of Health Sciences
- Elizabeth Hassan, Faculty of Engineering
- Karen Balcom, Faculty of Humanities
- Peter Cockett, Faculty of Humanities
- Rosa da Silva, Faculty of Science
- Sharonna Greenberg, Faculty of Science
- Zhen Gao, Faculty of Engineering
The MacPherson Institute awards Leadership in Teaching and Learning Fellowships each year to faculty champions who act as leaders and mentors to advance improvement in teaching and learning and to enhance student learning experiences. The award for fellows is up to $15,000 over two years.
Fellows 2023
- Anthony Chibba, Faculty of Science
- Kristina Durham, Faculty of Health Sciences
- Janet Pritchard, Faculty of Science
- Nicole Wagner, DeGroote School of Business
Fellows 2022
- Sharonna Greenberg, Faculty of Science
- Chad Harvey, Faculty of Science
- Seshasai Srinvasan, Faculty of Engineering
- Sandra VanderKaay, Faculty of Health Sciences
The MacPherson Institute supports the Petro-Canada Young Innovator Award each year. This award builds on the connection between research and teaching by engaging undergraduate students in research to enhance the learning environment and recognizes an innovative scholar within the first eight years of their research career.
Award Winner 2023
- Pat Clancy, Faculty of Science
In partnership with the University Library, the MacPherson Institute supports the Open Education Resources Grant program.
Grant Recipients 2023-2024
- Mark Busser, Careers and Experiential Education
- Anthony Chibba and Sharonna Greenberg, Faculty of Science
- Amin Reza Rajabzadeh and Konstantinos Apostolou, Faculty of Engineering
- Miranda Schmidt, Sara Cormier and Kari Dalnoki-Veress, Faculty of Science
- Erica Speakman, Faculty of Social Science
- Christine Swintak, Faculty of Humanities
- Rebecca Turner, Faculty of Science
- Felicia Vulcu and Caitlin Mullarkey, Faculty of Health Sciences
- Ruhai Wu, DeGroote School of Business
Grant Recipients 2022-2023
- Christopher Anand, Faculty of Engineering
- Anthony Chibba, Faculty of Science
- Sharonna Greenberg, Faculty of Science
- David Heidebrecht, Office of the Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning, Office of Community Engagement, Faculty of Social Sciences
- Anne Holbrook, Faculty of Health Sciences
In partnership with the Office of the Vice Provost (Teaching and Learning), the MacPherson Institute contributes funding and support for the implementation of the Partnered in Teaching and Learning Strategy.
In order to cultivate an environment where learning deeply matters and teaching is valued and recognized by the collective McMaster community, the MacPherson Institute coordinates and delivers a variety of conferences and events throughout the year. These opportunities offer members of the teaching and learning community at McMaster and beyond to learn and grow together, to build connections across institutions and disciplines, and to celebrate teaching as a professional practice.
Innovations in Education Conference
In December 2023, the MacPherson Institute hosted the annual Innovations in Education Conference with a theme focused on “Taking risks and embracing challenge.” The theme aimed to foster a dynamic exchange of ideas, experiences, and best practices among educators, researchers, administrators, and other stakeholders in the field of teaching and learning. The purpose of the event was to enable an exploration of the ways educators are thinking outside the box and addressing novel challenges by taking risks to enhance the student learning experience.
The conference featured programming that explored the opportunities and challenges that arise from innovation, such as personalized learning, collaborative teaching models, interdisciplinary approaches, and inclusive education.
Keynote speaker, Ronald A. Beghetto, delivered a timely and relevant session titled “Cultivating Creative Agency in the Face of Uncertainty, Risk and Artificial Intelligence,” to initiate an engaging conversation about the possibilities and challenges faced by the teaching and learning field in the wake of this new technology.
Information Box Group
Poster Presentations
Panel Discussions
Roundtable Discussions
Teaching and Learning Month
For the fourth consecutive year, the MacPherson Institute brought together educators, faculty members, instructors and staff from across McMaster University to participate in professional development programming and celebrations of teaching as a professional practice for Teaching and Learning Month in May. The MacPherson Institute supports this initiative by coordinating and promoting events offered by the MacPherson Institute and various units across campus into a month-long event series with a single point of registration. In 2023, 12 campus partners contributed teaching and learning events with over 500 attendees engaging in sessions throughout the month.
Information Box Group
Total Events in May 2023
Events Offered by the MacPherson Institute
Events Offered by Campus Partners
Information Box Group
Attendees
Teaching and Learning Month Website Views
MacPherson-Supported Partnered Events
To support McMaster faculties, departments and programs in bringing educators together to share ideas and experiences in teaching and learning, the MacPherson Institute offered $10,000 in funding and in-kind support to run 4 teaching and learning events reaching nearly 200 participants.
Educational Development Community in Canada (EDCC)
In partnership with the Educational Development Community in Canada, the MacPherson Institute supported the development and execution of the EDCC Conference in February 2024.
Programming
- 1 Keynote Session
- 1 Panel Session
- 7 Workshops
- 1 Poster Session
- 2 Workshops
- 15 Presentations