Week of January 7th, 2025

Feel free to check out this Teaching Primer for a list of key information, resources, and support available to instructors.

For questions about using Canvas and educational technologies, you may also check out the Canvas Training & Resources Site. It compiles the key resources for setting up Canvas courses for instructors, teaching assistants, and staff in Forestry.

If you have further questions or need support, please reach out to the Forestry Teaching & Learning Support Team at forestry.tls@ubc.ca.

A reminder that UBC instructors have access to the Student Communication Tool and the Final Grade Submission Tool in WorkDay Student.

Step-by-step guides to use these tools can be found on the Faculty/Instructor Training Hub.

Instructors have the flexibility to choose from various exam formats, such as in-person paper, computer-based in-person exams, or online via Canvas. For more guidance, you can refer to the following tip-sheets:
– Navigating the Choice: Online or In-Person Assessments.
– UBC Exam Policies, Procedures, and Reminders.
– Technical Tips for Exam Logistics.

For midterm exams, teaching teams have the option to hold exams in their designated classrooms or online. If a different space is needed—for example, to accommodate extra seating or power outlets—they can submit ad hoc booking requests to Scheduling Services (Option 2). Scheduling Services will then check for available teaching spaces and inform the instructor about the status of their request.

Final exam bookings are managed by UBC Scheduling Services. The Winter Term 2 exam period will run from April 12-27, including weekends.

For further information and assistance with exam scheduling, visit the exam website.

UBC’s guidance on Generative AI (GenAI) can be found here. In general, UBC recognizes the opportunities that GenAI tools represent, but that it is not a replacement for human creativity and judgment.

For academic integrity cautions, please visit the Academic Integrity webpage. Here’s a quick recap:
(1) The use of GenAI at UBC is a course- or program-level decision. There is no overall ban, and the use of GenAI does not automatically equate to academic misconduct at UBC.
(2) If using GenAI has been permitted by the instructor, then instructors should set clear expectations.
(3) If using GenAI has not been discussed or specified by the instructor, then it is likely considered prohibited.
(4) UBC discourages the use of AI detectors on student work due to concerns over accuracy, privacy, and potential limitations. AI detectors should not be the sole factor for academic misconduct decisions.

More information about the assessment design with GenAI can be found on this CTLT webpage .

To mitigate GenAI use, you can consider more in-person activities (e.g., presentations, interviews, discussions) and implement in-person exams (e.g., Canvas Quiz with Lockdown Browser).

To integrate GenAI use, make sure to specify acceptable uses (e.g., brainstorming, data analysis, etc.) and to remind students to cite AI following the UBC Library Guide with a limit (e.g., <5 AI citations).

For privacy implications and instructional guidance, visit this webpage to see which tools have been approved with caution.

Consider including in the syllabus whether there are any restrictions on using GenAI and provide a rationale for why. Read more at GenAI syllabus for more resources and sample statements. 

Please reach out to forestry.tls@ubc.ca if you’d like to discuss any aspects of AI in your teaching.

Funds are available to instructors from both campuses and may be used for expenses related to presenting or publishing SoTL work. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply

UBC Vancouver faculty are invited to apply for the 2025/26 Grants, with a deadline for proposals on Jan 16 at 3pm. Learn more and apply

Jan 10 (10:30 am – 2:45 pm) | In-person
The upcoming TA training session will be hosted in FSC 2916.

Topics include EDI, instructional and classroom skills, conflict resolution, and more. Forestry TAs this term who have not already participated in previous TA training are encouraged to join. RSVP here by the end of Jan 8.

Jan 20 (11 am – 12:30 pm) | In-person
Join this workshop to explore new tools for enhancing student learning with GenAI. Register.

Jan 22 (10:30 am – 12:00 pm) | In-person
Join this workshop to check out commonly used H5P content types and learn how to develop different ones for your courses. Register.