Week September 3, 2024

Updates & Reminders

New Tools in Workday Student

Starting with the 2024W session, all UBC instructors will 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.

FSC Access changes

Starting Sept 1, 2024, the Faculty Service Center (FSC) will be ‘Read-Only’ until it is fully phased out by the end of June 2025.

Teaching Support & Canvas Resources

We summarized the information, resources, and support available to new and returning instructors in this tip-sheet.

In addition, we organized the Canvas & EdTech Resources Site (view here) to compile key resources for setting up Canvas courses for instructors, teaching assistants, and staff in Forestry.

For any other questions, including educational technologies, and live streaming and recording options, please contact Forestry Teaching & Learning Support Team (forestry.tls@ubc.ca).

Tip-sheets for Exams

To plan for exams, instructors can consider different formats (e.g., in-person paper, in-person computer, online Canvas, etc.). For more information, 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

Forestry Biometrics

Forestry offers a number of courses on biometrics, measurements, and computation in this 2024/25 academic year.

Here is a summary of our course offerings. The full list of courses can be found here

Top Downloaded Article at Natural Sciences Education

Congratulations to Forestry’s Dr. Andrés Varhola, whose paper on how to enhance prerecorded lectures received enough downloads to rank within the top 10% of all papers published in Natural Sciences Education.

UBC GenAI Guidance

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.

AI & Academic Integrity

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 around the use of these tools.
(3) If using GenAI has not been discussed or specified by the instructor, then it is likely to be 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.

Tips on Assignment Design & Citation

More information about the assignment 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).

Privacy Implications & Instructional Use

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

Syllabus Language on GenAI

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 further resources and sample syllabus statements. Please reach out to forestry.tls@ubc.ca if you’d like to discuss any aspects of AI in your teaching.

Library Online Course Reserves

UBC Library Online Course Reserves (LOCR) enables instructors to create a single list with all reading materials for students to access. Instructors can easily add articles, books, web links and media resources or request the Library to add items.

Using LOCR
(1) Canvas Integration: LOCR can be enabled in Canvas navigation bar. See this link for assistance.
(2) First-Time Users: If this is your first time adding items to LOCR, please check out the instructor’s guide for guidance.
(3) Re-Activate Reading List: If you’ve used LOCR in the past, you need to reactivate your reading list by using the import function to copy it over to your new course iteration. Details for this can be found in the instructor’s guide.
(4) Manual Input: Instructors may still manually input course reserves requests into LOCR.

Submitting a Reading List
(1) Through Canvas Integration or LOCR Website: Use the “Add Syllabus” button to upload your Reading List.
(2) Email Submission: Send a copy to syllabus.service@ubc.ca (MS Word or PDF).
(3) PDF Course Materials: Share PDFs via syllabus.service@ubc.ca or OneDrive for faster processing.
(4) Merging Course Sections: Ensure merging is done before submission. Request a merge from the Forestry TLS team or LT Hub.

For further inquiries, contact woodward.reserve@ubc.ca or forestry.tls@ubc.ca.

Workshops & Events

Forestry Teaching & Learning Drop-in Sessions

Time: Fridays (12 – 1 pm) | Online
We host weekly drop-in sessions to answer teaching-related questions. Instructors and TAs are welcome to join the Zoom meeting.

Forestry TA Training Workshop

Time: Sept 3 (9:15 am – 2:00 pm)| In-person (FSC 2916)
We invited Forestry TAs in 2024W1 to participate in this workshop. Topics include EDI, instructional and classroom skills, conflict resolution, and more.

CTLT GenAI Studio

Time: Sept 4 (1 – 2 pm) | Online
These sessions are designed for faculty and staff at UBC who are using, or thinking about using, Generative AI tools as part of their teaching, researching, or daily work. Register here.

CTLT Accessibility Studio

Time: Sept 12 (12 – 1 pm) | In-person & Online
The Accessibility Studio features one-on-one studio time for anyone who is developing accessible course content or OER – faculty, staff, and students alike. Register here.

CTLT Indigenous Initiatives Virtual Coffee Drop-in

Time: Sept 24 (11am – 12pm) | Online
Indigenous Initiatives at CTLT offers resources focused on Indigenous engagement in academic and professional development. Register for the next one here.