On Monday the Faculty of Education at UBC’s Okanagan campus will welcome dozens of teachers from around the province and beyond for this year’s Summer Institute.
The institute, which runs for nine weeks from July 5 through September 3, offers 35 week-long seminars. Each provides credit toward senior-level Education courses covering contemporary educational issues, practice and leadership. The credits can be used for professional development, teacher qualifications, or even completion of an Education degree or graduate degree.
“In addition to attracting local teachers we have a number of students coming from the lower mainland, and are expecting to have teachers from the Kootenays and Alberta joining us,” says Robert Campbell, Dean of Education. “Also, a cohort of teachers from Canadian schools in China will be taking courses.”
Subjects range from an introduction to the solar system with UBC astronomy professor Erik Rosolowsky to a course on Interculturalism and Diversity in the Classroom taught by Stacy Daley, a UBC graduate student whose research interests focus on interculturalism and its impact on the teaching and learning process. In addition to the many Okanagan educators, a number of instructors are coming to teach courses from universities in Western Canada, China and the Caribbean.
“A new feature this summer is the Summer Institute Series, which provides opportunities for institute instructors to give lectures or performances that are open to the general public — two performances are scheduled for July,” says Campbell. “We see the Summer Institute Series as a way to enliven the campus while showcasing the talent of the artists and academics who instruct at the institute. The admission is free and the talent is great.”
On July 15, Mohyna Ragoonaden, who offers a Summer Institute seminar on storytelling though dance, will perform a fusion/Kathak dance piece called Voice. As well, Trevor Salloum, who teaches the world drumming seminar, will bring his Arabic music group Altarab to the stage on July 22 to play fusion and traditional Arabic music.
Both performances take place at UBC’s Okanagan campus from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. in ADM 026.
For more information on the Summer Institute or the free public events visit http://www.ubc.ca/okanagan/education/postbacc/sie.html.
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