Central Programming work is designed to support a broad range of needs across different fields and disciplines. In the coming year, the MacPherson Institute will continue to support instructors with centralized programming in the core mandate areas. Many of the central programming programs and functions are consistent year after year, however, this work is always evolving and adapting to the needs of McMaster’s teaching and learning community.
In the 2023-24 year, the MacPherson Institute will be working on a number of initiatives to address these needs and a few of these key projects are outlined below.
Every year the MacPherson Institute meets with the deans or associate deans from each of the six faculties, the dean of Graduate Studies, and the director of the Arts & Science program. These meetings are an opportunity to report back on supports and services that have been provided to each of these stakeholders. This activity also presents an opportunity to discuss strategic initiatives within each faculty and program for the year ahead.
In the 2023-24 year, the MacPherson Institute will be working on a number of initiatives to address individual needs and customized support for these faculties and programs. Several of these key projects are outlined below.
With the completion of the MacPherson Institute’s 2019-2022 Strategic Plan and with additional recommendations provided by the External Reviewers in the fall of 2022, the MacPherson Institute explored the many inter-connected strategies with connections to teaching and learning at McMaster University. This work has enabled the MacPherson Institute to identify areas where its support and partnership would be valuable. In collaboration and partnership with other units with strategic priorities connected to teaching and learning, the MacPherson Institute will explore opportunities to lead, partner, or contribute to particular projects and activities. Key strategic projects are outlined below.
Identify land-based educational opportunities for Indigenous learners.
Implement initiatives that respond to the intersection of equity, diversity and inclusion and teaching and learning strategies.
Develop strategies to ensure diverse perspectives and expansive ways of knowing are respected and valued.
Design, implement and evaluate structures that enable students to be active partners in the learning process engaged through peer support, mentorship, teaching, research, and community learning.
Emphasize inclusive excellence in teaching.
Refine policies and processes to demonstrate that teaching is valued and recognized as a professional practice.
Review how teaching is evaluated and refine policies and processes to ensure a multi-faceted approach to evaluation is implemented.
Build a culture that values innovative, experimental and playful mindsets.
Develop meaningful, authentic assessments that promote learning and explore opportunities to reduce the use of high-stakes exams where appropriate.
Develop best practices for learning that are focused on the intentional consideration and integration of on-campus learning spaces (classrooms, labs, studios), online learning spaces, and community spaces for learning.
Design new physical and virtual spaces to be universally accessible, meaning they are designed to be supportive, barrier-free, mental health positive, and adherent to policies relating to health, safety, accessibility, and inclusion while respecting diverse ways of knowing.
Develop and implement a clear Digital Learning Framework that enhances and complements the face-to-face learning experience.
Expand adoption and continually enhance teaching development opportunities for educators around student mental health, inclusion, accessibility and safety needs (e.g., course design, compassionate response to student needs).