Lunch & Learn: Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (SoTL) Across Borders
April 15, 2025 at 12pm EST via MS Teams.
Please RSVP by writing to Anita.Acai@georgebrown.ca
Colleagues from George Brown College and the University of Guyana invite interested CCI participants in the Caribbean and Canada to a special Lunch and Learn. We will hear from Medeba Uzzi from the University of Guyana as she shares her work on strategies employed to increase student engagement in General Chemistry courses. A discussion will follow on experiences and interests in improving classroom practices, any research you’re keen to undertake or any Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (SoTL) initiatives or projects underway.
About SoTL Lunch and Learns: Participants are invited to join a dynamic community of practice to explore the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) and its applications across the College. Each session will feature a speaker and/or discussion topic, offering opportunities for participants of all experience levels—whether new to SoTL or more advanced—to engage and learn. Sessions are designed to be flexible, allowing participants to attend as their schedules permit.
About our Presenter: Medeba Uzzi is a General Chemist and Chemistry Educator at the University of Guyana with more than 20 years of experience in Chemistry Education. Her subject-specific research efforts encompass natural alternatives for water treatment, feasibility of green energy initiatives and food safety. Medeba’s passion for improving student learning is documented in several conference proceedings under the themes of student participation and assessment techniques. She has also co-authored the book “Post-Secondary Chemistry Education in Developing Countries: Advancing Diversity in Pedagogy and Practice.” Through her dedication to the teaching and learning process, she aspires to motivate young people, particularly females, to develop passion and enthusiasm for the study of Chemistry.
About our Facilitator: Dr. Anita Acai (she/her) joined the Teaching and Learning Exchange at George Brown College in 2024. In this inaugural role, Anita will be supporting the College in deploying a SoTL strategy, fostering faculty development through skills training and communities of practice, and managing funding and dissemination efforts for SoTL across the institution. Anita’s vision to cultivate a vibrant community of excellence in teaching and learning scholarship at George Brown—one where SoTL isn’t just an add-on, but an integral part of how we think about and approach education. Prior to her time at GBC, Anita previously worked as an assistant professor and education scientist at McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.