LTI 2024-2025 Annual Report

We invite you to explore our key priorities and milestones in our comprehensive 2024-2025 LTI Annual Report, as well as a letter from the executive director below for a snapshot of our journey and achievements.

Download the LTI 2024-2025 Annual Report

A message from the executive director

There is a real sense of accomplishment as another academic year wraps up. As I reflect on this past year, I continue to see growth and transformation within our division. I am proud of the strides we have made in advancing our strategic priorities and responding to the evolving needs of our university community.

A major milestone was the finalization of our Division Strategic Plan, which now guides our work through a clear vision, three foundational principles, and operational goals. This plan has helped us align our efforts and resources more intentionally, even as we continue to navigate a shifting educational landscape. Looking ahead, we are eager to build on this foundation and make progress toward our defined goals.

We also undertook a significant rebranding initiative, renaming our division to Learning and Teaching Innovation, and updating our team portfolios to better reflect our focus and values. The Centre for Academic Communication was renamed Academic Skills Centre. We welcomed new staff with expertise in pedagogical approaches to large enrollment courses, STEM, data analysis, and academic integrity—areas that are increasingly central to our work.

We continued to expand our support for students and faculty alike. Highlights include the addition of a new graduate student–focused module to our Integrity in Practice Brightspace course series to accompany last years’ redesign of the undergraduate module, the VKURA symposium was reimagined with the addition of a 3-Minute Thesis presentation opportunity for participants, and the redesign of our faculty institute of teaching program, now known as the Learning Innovation for Teaching (LIFT) program, which has already seen strong engagement.

As generative AI continues to challenge education and how we teach, we have taken proactive steps to support ethical and effective integration. We have begun piloting Studiosity, a GenAI feedback tool, and launched a community of practice along with targeted workshops to explore the use of GenAI in teaching. We are also developing a student-facing resource to help learners navigate this technology responsibly and have established a dedicated staff position to support students in upholding academic integrity in their coursework, including the responsible use of GenAI.

Accessibility continues to be central to our work. We created new resources for instructors on Universal Extended Time, including a three-part podcast series, and continued to build tools and guides that support inclusive teaching practices, including an Accessibility focused community of practice. We also partnered with the Faculties of Education and Social Sciences in creating and co-hosting the Pathways to Belonging symposium in August. This collaborative event brought together experts, researchers, educators, and mental health professionals to examine research on accommodation demand in post-secondary, affirming practices, and approaches to building student resiliency.

Despite ongoing resource constraints, our team has remained agile, creative, and deeply committed to our mission. I am continually inspired by the dedication and passion of our staff and partners, whose work makes a meaningful impact on learning and teaching at UVic. As we look ahead, we will build on this momentum by refining our programs and remaining responsive to the evolving needs of students and instructors. Together, I am confident we will continue to foster a vibrant, inclusive, and responsive learning environment.

Best, 

Shailoo Bedi, Executive Director, Learning and Teaching Innovation

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We build collective wisdom by inviting conversations and partnerships that connect internal and external groups. By working collaboratively across disciplines, we leverage diverse perspectives to strengthen our practices and elevate student success. Through leading with a collaborative spirit and mutual respect, we ensure that every voice contributes to a shared vision of transformative learning.

Strategic priorities include:

  1. Strengthen and broaden instructor engagement to foster teaching practices that contribute to student learning and success
  2. Cultivate and support cross-disciplinary collaboration and partnerships through peer-to-peer connections in learning and teaching
  3. Engage with internal and external partners to address current and plan for emerging learning and teaching needs
  4. Advance our division as an integral partner in program curriculum development and redesign, as well as in initiatives concerning student learning and success on campus

We embrace a culture of creativity, flexibility, and openness by facilitating risk-taking for growth and development. Through modeling learning and teaching, we encourage the freedom to explore new ideas, learn from mistakes, and iterate on our approaches toward better practices. By sharing experimental outcomes, we collectively foster an environment where curiosity leads to innovation and continuous improvement.

Strategic priorities include:

  1. Establish a supportive environment for creativity and the exploration of improving student learning outcomes
  2. Promote innovative student learning and sustainable teaching practices
  3. Facilitate evidence-based implementation and evaluation of innovative pedagogical methods in post-secondary education
  4. Promote the sharing of insights and learning gained through experimenting

We put people first by creating inclusive opportunities for growth and innovation, ensuring that diverse voices are heard, represented, and respected. By addressing barriers and being aware of power and privilege dynamics, we advocate for equity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging for all. Our commitment to inclusion is rooted in fostering an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute their unique perspectives within the learning and teaching landscape.

Strategic priorities include:

  1. Ensure that LTI supports the learning and teaching needs of diverse, and underrepresented learners
  2. Support all instructors in developing and implementing inclusive pedagogies and teaching practices that promote accessible learning and student success
  3. Promote policies that address systemic barriers to learning, fostering equitable opportunities for all students