
E69: How to make online learning feel like in-person community – A creative course revision at Lethbridge Polytechnic
From Learning Innovation: The Teaching & Learning Podcast by learninginnovation
April 22, 2025 · 42 min · Episode 70
About this episode
Kathie Ervin and Craig McCarthy discuss their collaborative efforts to enhance online learning experiences at Lethbridge Polytechnic.
Instructor Kathie Ervin and Instructional Designer Craig McCarthy collaborated to revamp Kathie's Distance Learning (DL) course in the Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology program. The goal? Create a more hands-on learning experience for DL students. Kathie and Craig outline their revision strategy, share stories about student creativity and community, and explain why they think the project was so successful. The pair also share tips on how other instructors can revamp their DL courses. During the episode, Donna (host) and guests mentioned: Therapeutic Recreational Gerontology CTLI – Centre for Teaching and Learning UDL – Universal Design for Learning WIL – Work-Integrated Learning E68: WIL-Power – Connecting classroom theory with hands-on, Work-Integrated Learning Student feedback audio on Kathie's TRG course
People in this episode
Host: Donna
Guests: Kathie Ervin, Craig McCarthy
Topics covered
- online learning
- community building
- course revision
- distance learning
- student engagement
- therapeutic recreation
Keywords
- distance learning
- course design
- student creativity
- community
- therapeutic recreation
- instructional design
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Lethbridge Polytechnic, Centre for Teaching and Learning, Universal Design for Learning, Work-Integrated Learning
Books & works: E68: WIL-Power – Connecting classroom theory with hands-on, Work-Integrated Learning
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