The University of Guelph Teaching and Learning Network

Purpose and Goals

The Teaching and Learning Network (TLN) focuses on coordinating the exchange of ideas and resources, knowledge mobilization and dissemination, and gathering information about faculty and instructor needs around teaching and learning at the University of Guelph. A key goal of the TLN is to increase efficiency and access and decrease duplication of similar efforts across Colleges and other units at U of G.

The goals of the Teaching and Learning Network are to:

  • Exchange ideas and resources around evidence-based, innovative, and promising teaching and learning practices.
  • Coordinate communication and marketing of teaching and learning events and resources.
  • Collaborate on cross-college and institutional teaching and learning projects involving knowledge creation and mobilization. The Network also initiates and plans strategic projects each year, depending on the goals of the institution and members.
  • Gather information about faculty and instructor needs related to teaching and learning to inform the creation of programming/resources and institutional planning.
  • Build educational leadership capacity across and within Colleges.


Note: This Network will focus on teaching and learning initiatives outside of curriculum or program-level conversations.

The TLN furthers the goals of the 2019 University of Guelph Teaching and Learning Plan (Goal 2: Advance and Further Develop Our Leadership in Teaching and Learning) and responds to recommendations from the 2021 Provost’s Task Force on Pedagogical Innovation to create infrastructures that promote cross-college and cross-campus communications and collaborations about teaching.

TLN Network Members 

Core TLN Members

  • Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) representative (Chair)
  • OpenEd representative
  • Library representative
  • Faculty representative from each College on the main U of G campus, and one representative from each of the Ridgetown and Guelph-Humber campuses
  • Graduate student and Undergraduate student representative

Additional TLN Members

Based on the TLN's needs, interests, and activities, individuals from other offices or units may be involved on a temporary basis as advisors, experts, or advocates. Additional members may include faculty, instructor, staff, and students, and individuals from Student Accessibility Services, Indigenous Initiatives, Diversity and Human Rights, the Experiential Learning Hub, for example. The University Teaching Leadership Fellows may also be involved as appropriate.

Core membership on the TLN could evolve over time based on the work of the network and the capacity of other offices/units to appoint core members.

2023-2025 Core Members

The network includes representatives from the following U of G colleges, campuses, units, as well as a graduate students and an undergraduate student representative:

  • Janet Beeler-Marfisi (OVC)  
  • Ruben Burga (Lang) 
  • Michelle Fach (OpenEd) 
  • Mason Friebe (Undergraduate student/CSA VP Academic) 
  • Matthew LaGrone (Guelph-Humber) 
  • Steve Loewen (Ridgetown) 
  • Mavis Morton (CSAHS) 
  • Melanie Parlette-Stewart (McLaughlin Library) 
  • Sandra Parmegiani (COA)  
  • Nabhan Refaie (Graduate student/GSA VP Internal) 
  • Kerry Ritchie (CBS) 
  • Andy Robinson (OAC) 
  • Christie Stewart (Network Coordinator/Office of Teaching and Learning) 
  • Julie Vale (CEPS) 
  • Martin Williams (TLN Chair/Office of Teaching and Learning) 

Terms of Service and Time Commitment

Core members will serve a minimum of two years on the TLN. Temporary members’ time commitment will vary based on the goals for their involvement.

The TLN will meet approximately 9 times per academic year.

TLN members will be expected to gather and share information with the Network about teaching and learning events, resources, and needs in their College, Campus, or Office. Where appropriate, they will partner with other network members to design, facilitate, and market teaching and learning events, and participate in Network-organized opportunities for professional development related to teaching and educational leadership..

Resourcing

The Network is allotted $5,000 per year for professional development of Network members related to teaching, learning, and educational leadership.

Contact

If you have questions about the Teaching and Learning Network, contact otl@uoguelph.ca