10:00 AM ET
7:00 AM PT
8:00 AM MT
11:00 AM AT
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Sign on and settle in for a day of engaging and inspiring professional development!
10:05 AM ET
7:05 AM PT
8:05 AM MT
11:05 AM AT
Agenda & Get to Know your Fellow Learners
Learn what’s in store for you, and have the chance to get to know your fellow learners!
10:15 AM ET
7:15 AM PT
8:15 AM MT
11:15 AM AT
Using AI to Develop Critical Thinkers
(Learners & Educators)
With Jessica Downie
Director of Curriculum, Quality and Compliance,
Oxford International Education Group
Session Details
This session delves into the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the development of critical thinking skills in the classroom. It examines AI tools and strategies that support problem-solving, analysis, and decision-making, fostering deeper engagement. The presentation also addresses the ethical considerations and challenges in integrating AI into education practices.
About the Speaker
Jessica Downie is the Director of Curriculum, Quality and Compliance for the Career Colleges across Canada at Oxford International Education Group. With over a decade of experience in global education, Jessica specializes in curriculum design around inclusive and equitable practices and the use and integration of technology in the classroom. She has worked on many projects transforming traditional learning experiences to incorporate flexible, inclusive and technological practices, has contributed to the book The Importance of the Dissertation in Practice co-writing The Impact of the DIP: Intentionality and Andragogy to Reduce Anxiety and Increase Relevancy, and is passionate about equitable learning for the diverse learners in the classroom. Jessica is completing a Doctor of Education in Educational Psychology and Technology in Inclusive Design Practices from Policies to the Classroom from The Chicago School.
11:15 AM ET
8:15 AM PT
9:15 AM MT
12:15 PM AT
Networking Break
Have a chance to meet with your fellow instructor colleagues during our first Networking Break!
11:30 PM ET
8:30 AM PT
9:30 AM MT
12:30 PM AT
Post-Secondary Mental Health and Nervous System Regulation in Educators and Students
With Taylor Chetty
Registered Social Worker
Session Details
This session will guide you through current biopsychosocial issues relating to mental health impacting both students and educators. Taylor will utilize a trauma-informed approach to teach concepts about mental health and the nervous system, as well as how to spot dysregulation in oneself and students, how to effectively regulate, co-regulate and access connection without compromising boundaries.
About the Speaker
Taylor Chetty is a Registered Master Social Worker in the Province of Saskatchewan with almost 10 years of experience working with survivors of trauma, including sexual, physical, mental and environmental. In her private practice, Returning Home Counselling & Contracting, she provides individuals and groups with the tools necessary to regulate and feel safe in their physical bodies to show up in the world authentically, using various tools and opportunities for connection and while minimizing trauma.
12:30 PM ET
9:30 AM PT
10:30 AM MT
1:30 PM AT
Lunch
We will pause for lunch so you can return refreshed for the second half of Instructor Development Day!
12:45 PM ET
9:45 AM PT
10:45 AM MT
1:45 PM AT
Revisit the Previous Session
Time to reflect and revisit the last session alongside Taylor Chetty!
1:15 PM ET
10:15 AM PT
11:15 AM MT
2:15 PM AT
AI Does Not Replace EI
With Bonnie Gardner
VP of Student Enrollment and Financial Services
Willis College
Session Details
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how we work and communicate, offering speed, efficiency, and data-driven insights. Yet, while AI processes information, it cannot replicate empathy, moral judgment, or authentic connection. Emotional Intelligence (EI) remains essential for building trust, motivating others, and resolving conflict. This presentation highlights the complementary roles of AI and EI, showing how efficiency must be paired with compassion. Together, they ensure technology serves humanity without replacing what makes us human.
About the Speaker
Bonnie is the Vice President of Student Enrollment and Financial Services, allowing her to ensure the student journey from start to finish is based on success and outcomes. Using the same philosophy for in-person or online students shouldn’t be hard, it should be a focus and outcomes will follow. Bonnie has 20 years in the education field and has been an instructor, Healthcare Faculty Head, and Campus Director. She is a strong believer in student engagement and the philosophy of teaching it, seeing it, doing it, even in an online setting.
2:15 PM ET
11:15 AM PT
12:15 PM MT
3:15 PM AT
Networking Break
Have a chance to meet with your fellow instructor colleagues during our second Networking Break!
2:30 PM ET
11:30 PM PT
12:30 PM MT
3:30 PM AT
Design Justice: Reclaiming Educational Design as a Democratic and Ethical Act
(Introducing the DOMS model).
With Dr. Stephen Murgatroyd
University of Alberta
Session Details
With AI increasingly used in teaching, learning, and assessment, concerns about bias, access, and social justice are reshaping how we approach education.
In this session, Dr. Stephen Murgatroyd will introduce seven principles of design justice and connect them to Dr. Phillipa Hardman’s DOMS™ instructional design model:
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Discovery – Understand learners’ needs, backgrounds, and prior knowledge
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Objectives – Define clear, measurable learning outcomes
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Mapping – Align learning experiences with objectives to promote mastery
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Storyboarding – Build engaging content and activities to support learning
Stephen will show how DOMS can guide the creation of effective, inclusive, and differentiated instruction that meets diverse learner needs and improves teaching, learning, and assessment.
Participants should bring an internet-connected device and access to a generative AI model (e.g. ChatGPT-5, Gemini, Grok, or Claude Opus).
About the Speaker
Stephen Murgatroyd has worked extensively in online and distance education, both at The Open University UK (1973-1985) and Athabasca University (1986-1998, 2003-2005). He has also consulted on flexible and innovative learning around the world. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2000 by Athabasca University for his pioneering work in online learning, and in 2025 was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his services to higher education in Canada. He has written extensively on issues of quality assurance and quality in education and has conducted QA reviews for agencies in Alberta, Ontario, the Maritimes and the UAE.
3:30 PM ET
12:30 PM PT
1:30 PM MT
4:30 PM AT
NACC Program Update, Open Sharing Session & Event Close
Hear from the NACC Team on Program Updates from the past year.
Then, recap on the day’s lessons learned.