UNews - Tyler Heaton

U of L collaborates on developing new Grade 9 options course

caroline.zentner — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 18:05:24 +0000

A new options course developed at Kate Andrews High School gives students the chance to think outside the brick, the Lego brick that is.

When Lindsey Hagen, vice-principal, wanted to develop an additional Career and Technology Foundations (CTF) course in Entrepreneurship/Design Thinking for Grade 9 students, she turned to the Faculty of Education at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Grade 9 students at Kate Andrews High School in Coaldale tackle a team task during the Lego Serious Play session.

“Currently in its optional year of implementation, CTF is designed for students to explore personal interests and related career possibilities and occupational areas,” says Leonard Sproule, an instructor in the U of L Faculty of Education. “At its core, CTF aspires to provide students with authentic learning experiences that make explicit connections between school-based learning and that of the working world.”

Sproule and Tyler Heaton, manager of AGILITY (the U of L’s innovation hub), met with Hagen to help with curriculum planning for the course. They included a session with Heaton as a guest speaker and with Dr. Stephen Dann, a visiting professor from Australia National ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and a trained facilitator with Lego Serious Play, a method developed by Lego in the 1990s to stimulate creative thinking in people.

“This is a very different course than what students are typically exposed to because it is very much a problem solving, project-based, collaborative course,” says Hagen. “In the beginning, we noticed some students were hesitant to get started; they are more comfortable answering prescribed questions than generating their own ideas and responses to a challenge or problem. With the supports of the guest speakers, Tyler and Stephen, they grew in confidence.”

Heaton visited the classroom to lead sessions on problem identification and solving, prototyping and pitching ideas. The theme for the course was transportation and students were tasked with coming up with a solution to a transportation problem.

“It’s important to find a user’s perspective when you’re solving a problem,” says Heaton. “A design-thinking approach requires empathizing and understanding the problems a community might have and finding solutions that are the right fit for that user or that community.”

Dr. Stephen Dann, an Australia National ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ professor and trained Lego Serious Play facilitator, speaks to students in the Entrepreneurship/Design Thinking class.

In the Lego Serious Play sessions, Dann facilitated a process that involved asking the students to build a Lego model in response to a question. Each participant has the chance to explain how their model answers the question in as much detail as they are comfortable providing. Other participants can ask open-ended questions but not comment or remark upon someone’s model.

“Any group of people that you bring together in a meeting, when you get them to create something that’s theirs and that they can tell their story around, you open up a different line of thinking,” says Dann. “The first one is the hand-mind coordination. Because you’re using your hands in the process of preparing an answer, you unlock different pieces of memory and thinking. And the second one is, because it’s a metaphor and story-telling device, you can extrapolate thoughts and ideas you hadn’t necessarily considered when you were putting the pieces together.”

Dann says the students were enthusiastic participants in the Lego Serious Play sessions. Many commented about the fun they had working in a group and how they learned they could make complicated things from a few Lego bricks.

Hagen says the students also learned to work as a team and to respect the ideas and contributions of others. They saw the value of their ideas and opinions and learned more about solving problems creatively and using metaphor to express meaning.

“Getting the high schools and the universities that are doing new and interesting things together is a really great thing,” says Dann. “When the opportunity came up, I was immediately in because this is something that isn’t happening as much back home. I’m genuinely honoured that I got a chance to go out and work with everyone involved.”

“I am very grateful for the supports that I have received from partners at the U of L. Although we are in the beginning stages, we are encouraged by student response and feedback, and are looking forward to continuing to provide this course in design thinking,” says Hagen.

AGILITY Innovation Summit to feature agriculture industry leaders

trevor.kenney — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 22:32:03 +0000

Agriculture industry leaders will gather at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Feb. 9-10, for the annual AGILITY Innovation Summit: Future of Food.

This student-focused event features industry experts who will address key topics such as the explosive growth in agriculture, food production and technology-related sectors. Through a series of panel discussions and networking sessions, students will learn about innovation in agriculture, the impact of big data, food processing and the value chain, sustainable farming and current trends in investment and financing related to food and agriculture.

“One of the things I always valued while going to school was actually hearing from real people in the industry about what’s going on. They live and breathe it every day and bring a real-world component of what’s happening now in the industry,” says Remi Schmaltz (BMgt ’06), CEO & Director at Decisive Farming.

Schmaltz will be joined by fellow industry leaders such as Mark Thompson, Vice-President Strategy at Agrium, Tom Burke, Senior Investment Advisor at Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management, Preet Marwaha, Executive Vice-President of Hempco Canada Superfoods, Colin Rush, COO, Agriculture Division at Cleanseed Capital Group, among others.

“I think it’s a great event in terms of connecting industry with students and bridging that gap,” adds Schmaltz. “We’re always looking for good people at Decisive, so that’s an element that interests us, and I always learn things at these events from the other panelists. If you’re not out talking with other people, you’re not learning.”

Schmaltz grew up in Beiseker, Alta. and found his way to the U of L seeking both a smaller community and school atmosphere. His student experience, which featured occasional trips to Castle Mountain, fit him perfectly and he’s always eager to return to campus to help the next generation of students. He currently lives in Banff while Decisive Farming’s head office is located in Irricana, Alta.

A two-day conference, the AGILITY Innovation Summit also offers students a chance to tour local agriculture businesses to get a better sense of the innovative initiatives that are happening close to home.

“It’s important to recognize that agriculture is a key part of our regional identity and a driver of economic growth,” says the U of L’s Tyler Heaton (BFA ’15), manager of AGILITY. “This conference will expose students to the challenges and opportunities that exist in the agribusiness space, while inspiring them through direct access to the leaders who are driving this growth.”

Schmaltz says that is an important message to send to political leaders and the rest of the province.

“There’s a lot of talk about innovation and diversification in our economy these days and this event brings awareness to the innovation that exists right now,” he says. “Hopefully the government recognizes that there is a thriving agribusiness sector here, one that is distinct from oil and gas, that should be fostered to grow.”

A complete schedule for the AGILITY Innovation Summit, along with featured speakers and bios, can be found here: http://www.agility-ulethbridge.ca/.

AGILITY Idea Shop a space for innovation, collaboration

trevor.kenney — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 17:04:42 +0000

The AGILITY Idea Shop was officially unveiled recently at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, the latest in a series of innovation zones being put into place across campus.

"The Idea Shop is open to all majors and is a space that students can use for collaborating on new ideas, getting advice and assistance on moving ideas beyond the concept phase, and taking advantage of mentorship from a range of leaders in the region as well as those visiting campus as part of AGILITY’s speaker series,” says Tyler Heaton, manager of AGILITY.

Located onthe second floor of Markin Hall, the Idea Shop gives all students on campus access to a comfortable and inviting room designed for active collaboration. In the Idea Shop, students can use tools such as a 3D printer for prototyping, wall-mounted presentation monitors and wall-to-wall whiteboards to enhance brainstorming and ideation sessions in order to get their ideas out in the open and start working on them.

AGILITY staff, visiting speakers, local entrepreneurs and business leaders will hold workshops, seminars and office hours in the area, providing students with access to mentors who can help them shape ideas, business models and social innovation endeavours. Students are encouraged to flip ideas upside down and turn them inside out to see what new solutions are possible.

“It’s a small space for big ideas. The ideas that are built here today will be the foundation for the innovations of tomorrow,” says Heaton.

A generous donation by U of L alumnus and accomplished local businessman, Bruce McKillop (BASc ’70), helped make the AGILITY Idea Shop possible.

“Through AGILITY, students learn about entrepreneurship and risk-taking in a supportive environment that is strongly grounded in liberal education, and when they graduate, they will be ahead of the game," says McKillop.

About AGILITY

AGILITY is a multidisciplinary program open to all students at the U of L that fosters an environment of creative discovery, nurtures entrepreneurial thinking and provides the supports needed for students to develop and implement innovative solutions that impact and vitalize society.

Numerous supports are offered to U of L students through AGILITY. An academic experience which ignites students’ interest in technology, business and social innovation through coursework, workshops and public lectures. Financial support from various sources, such as the contributions of Dr. Cor Van Raay and Bruce McKillop, provide scholarships to attract and inspire the next generation of innovators. Tools and infrastructure are being put into place so students will have collaborative, flexible and open spaces to design, create, collaborate and learn.

President's Awards celebrate outstanding service

trevor.kenney — Fri, 06 May 2016 19:58:50 +0000

The President's Awards for Service Exellence were handed out at the annual Long Service Awards & Retiree Recognition celebration on May 4, 2016, and once again they reflect some of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's most outstanding individuals and teams.

The award winners are listed below.

Teaching Centre Staff - Team

Said to be one of the most positive and upbeat places on campus, the Teaching Centre is home to a team that consistently provides exceptional service and support to those who teach at the U of L. Committed to customer service and creating a sense of ‘home’ on campus for instructors, the Teaching Centre is a highly valuable, yet rarely celebrated, resource that enhances the teaching experience and the impact our teaching staff has on students.

The Teaching Centre staff form a powerhouse; each member performs a crucial role to support the whole. First point of contact Jill Payant organizes events, triages questions and concerns; provides administrative assistance and all other duties as assigned; Bernie Wirzba and Victoria Holec strive to improve the effectiveness of learning environments; John Kometz and Alyssa Di Rocco support and keep Moodle and other technologies running; Tyler Heaton evaluates and supports classroom technologies; Brad Reamsbottom organizes events and works collaboratively with Glenda Martens to develop the many publications of the Teaching Centre such as the ‘Light on Teaching’ Magazine; Todd Doucette's work in video production has expanded the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s reach into the broader Lethbridge community through his Ed Talks TV show airing regularly on Shaw; Doug Orr and Jeff Meadows' work with faculty, graduate students and instructors to provide support for their teaching; and David Hinger’s remarkable leadership empowers those he works with to take initiative and go above and beyond their job requirements. This is a group of individuals fully dedicated to teaching excellence and customer service.

This remarkable team provides exceptional service to the community, works together to help advance one of the central functions of this university, and is committed to innovation and leadership. All this is done with a spirit of professionalism, enthusiasm and genuine passion for this institution.

Rosemary Howard - APO

A proud ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge graduate, Rosemary Howard (BASC ‘73) began working full time in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Library in January of 1973 and shortly thereafter moved into the Interlibrary Loan department.

Rosemary has led the interlibrary loan team at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for more than 40 years. She works diligently to find research, articles and books for students and faculty members. Rosemary is known for her ability to acquire the “almost impossible” for members of the university community. She has requested and received interlibrary loans for very rare and difficult-to-locate materials, found titles in foreign languages, and found and requested items from libraries all over the world. Rosemary is quite the detective; it is a rare request that goes unfilled. She can track down incomplete citations, make sense of improper bibliographic information and find items that have been mis-shelved for years. She leaves everyone with the feeling that she and her team did everything they could to meet the research request.

The technology in libraries has changed dramatically since the 1980s. This is no less true than in the field of interlibrary loans. From a world of paper catalogues, fax machines and postal mail, to one that employs integrated systems to deliver content directly to email inboxes, Rosemary has moved with the times. Through all the changes, she has adapted and evolved with the environment — learning and mastering the new technologies critical to successful outcomes in her work to become one of the best in her field.

Jadranka Smiljanec - AUPE

As a housekeeper with Housing Services for 30 years, Jadranka (Jay) Smiljanec is an unsung hero who demonstrates an inspiring work ethic and positive attitude. She truly cares for the students who live in residence, and takes on physically demanding tasks to ensure the health and well-being of our residents. Her efforts have a direct impact on the reputation of our institution, and are deeply connected to resident satisfaction and success.

Since joining the Housing Services team in 1986, Jay has witnessed tremendous growth and change at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. From one residence building with 200 students living on campus to seven buildings housing more than 1,000 residents, Jay continues to arrive every morning with a smile on her face and the resolve to tackle the never-ending task of keeping residence clean. Jay has been quoted as saying, “I do love what I do because of the ‘before’ and ‘after’. I feel so much better just seeing it all clean.”

When asked about working with Jay, colleagues all share similar experiences —they are warmly welcomed, respected and appreciated. Jay has provided both professional training and valuable life lessons with hundreds of housekeeping employees, and is a true constant in an industry with high turnover rates.

Jay truly cares for residence students and contributes positively to on-campus student life. She treats our students as her own family and treats our living spaces as if they were her home. She is a motherly figure and a tremendous role model for residents and Residence Assistants.

Jay is someone you meet and never forget. Between her naturally welcoming presence, her willingness to go out of her way to smile and say hello, and her highly sought-after baklava, she is integral to the residence experience and the Housing Services team.

Aaron Tamayose - APO

As manager of the Accommodated Learning Centre, Aaron Tamayose (BA ’09) serves students with enthusiasm, caring and open-mindedness. Aaron ensures students are connected to learning supports, receive necessary accommodations and have access to a myriad of funding resources. He works tirelessly to guarantee that all students supported by his team are treated equitably, with esteem and dignity.

Aaron is thorough, patient and compassionate; he is able to quickly assess when adaptations are needed in a variety of situations. His passion for assisting people is apparent when interacting with students of varying disabilities and mental health concerns. In fact, Aaron treats everyone — students, parents and employees — with integrity and respect regardless of circumstance.

A passionate alumnus, Aaron is deeply committed to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. From his determined quest for knowledge to his ambitious involvement with multiple committees and organizations, Aaron's professionalism and dedication to the U of L is exemplary. Some of the groups Aaron is involved with include: the People Plan, Disability Parking working group, multiple subcommittees for mental health programs, co-chair of the Harassment and Discrimination consulting group, and the anticipated Integrated Post-Secondary Experience Program.

In addition to the work arising from his position and his volunteer responsibilities, he is actively pursuing a master's degree in counselling psychology.

Heaton named manager of AGILITY Program

trevor.kenney — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 22:22:01 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s AGILITY program is off and running and it now has a new champion with the appointment of Tyler Heaton (BFA ’15) as manager.

Heaton moves into the role after spending close to nine years in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Teaching Centre, formerly the Curriculum Re-Development Centre. With a background that encompasses technology integration and instructional design, Heaton is enthused about taking his skills to the AGILITY platform and all the possibilities the new program provides.

With a background that encompasses technology integration and instructional design, Tyler Heaton is enthused about taking his skills to the AGILITY platform and all the possibilities the new program provides.

“I’m really excited about the potential of this program,” says Heaton, who was raised in Magrath and completed his new media degree at the U of L while working in the Teaching Centre. “We have the opportunity here to inspire students to have new ideas and through our program, we give them the skills to follow those ideas through. I think that’s pretty powerful.”

AGILITY is a university-wide initiative designed to nurture and support innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. Building on the strong foundation of liberal education, the program provides students access to knowledge about innovation within key sectors of the Canadian economy, and supports them through talks and mentorship by faculty and industry leaders, course work, scholarships and fellowships, and access to the latest technological tools and physical innovation and collaboration spaces.

“Tyler Heaton is an absolutely great fit for this position,” says Dr. Lesley Brown, Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President (Academic). “He was an advocate for the program through the early stages of our development and planning, and he brings a genuine enthusiasm, passion and understanding of liberal education, and about the U of L, that is exactly what we need to continue to build a program that resonates with who we are as an institution. I am incredibly pleased that he has joined the AGILITY team.”

Heaton says his priorities include raising the profile of the program both internally at the U of L and in the broader southern Alberta community; helping to develop programming, curriculum and bridging opportunities between courses; creating maker spaces and innovation zones within which students can work and collaborate ideas; and continuing to secure funding that will eventually make the program self-sustainable.

“This is an entrepreneurship and innovation program, and when we say entrepreneurship, we don’t just mean preparing students to run their own business or to commercialize an idea, we also mean that entrepreneurship is about opportunity,” he says. “You don’t have to have a business idea, you just need to have an imagination. We’ll help you work through your idea, and if it becomes a business, great, but if it doesn’t, that’s OK too because it’s the skills you learn along the way that are also important outcomes for the AGILITY program.”

Find out more about AGILITY at the program website.

UNews - Tyler Heaton

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