User:Jgcab/sandbox/Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning

The Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning (French: Institut Taylor de l'enseignement et de l'apprentissage) was established in May 2016. Affiliated with the University of Calgary, the Taylor Institute has been recognised as one of Canada's leading centres for teaching and learning.

History
The Taylor Institute was founded

Prior to the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning building, its predecessors were occupied the fifth floor of Biological Sciences (space previously held by the Strategic Transformation team).

The concept of a centre for teaching and learning was the product of several initiatives and recommendations by various campus groups: namely the Learning and Instructional Development Subcommittee, the Technology Task Force, and the Teaching Development Office.

The Learning Commons was a name chosen to reflect the concept of the university as a "community of learners," where teaching and learning development is common resource available to all.

The Learning Commons occupied the fifth floor of Biological Sciences building.

Academics
The Taylor Institute provides micro-credentialing for academic staff, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students affiliated with the University of Calgary. These include programmes related to course design, experiential learning, quality graduate supervision, blended and online teaching, and course-based undergraduate research experiences.

The Taylor Institute also issues Certificates in University Teaching and Learning

These certificates reflect a wider trend among Canadian universities, who provide credential programmes for early-career and established educators.

College of Discovery, Creativity, and Innovation
Established in 2017, the College of Discovery, Creativity, and Innovation serves as the Taylor Institute's arm devoted to undergraduate research and education across disciplines at the University of Calgary. It helps promote undergraduate research experiences through curricular and non-curricular activities, as well as outreach and engagement.

Conference on Postsecondary Teaching and Learning
Since 2013, the Taylor Institute has hosted a nation-wide Conference on Postsecondary Teaching and Learning, which draws educators across Canada to share knowledge, expertise, and resources that enhance teaching and learning across Canadian universities. Topics have ranged from Indigenisation and reconciliation, mentorship in higher education, and innovations in experiential learning.

Office of Experiential Learning
The Office of Experiential Learning was established in 2020. Its primary purpose is to incorporate experiential learning as an essential component for all undergraduate and graduate education at the University of Calgary. It accomplishes this by having all undergraduate students participate in at least two experiential learning opportunities, and at least one opportunity for graduate students. Opportunities include: co-curricular experiential learning, community-engaged learning, curriculum-integrated experiential learning, research-based experiential learning, and work-integrated learning.

Architecture
The building is a common gathering space