Olds College Faculty Association
&
Alberta Business Education Association
PROGRAM
May 8 – May 10, 2013
Alumni Centre, Olds College
Catherine Bruce
My career as an educator in Business Education has spanned three provinces and 43
years—32 of those years at Bow Valley College. For the past 16 years, I have been a
Program Coordinator in the School of Business responsible for the Administrative
Professional Program, the Legal Assistant Program and the Interior Decorating
Program.
My first memory of ABEA was that of attending a conference at Lethbridge College
some 20 years ago. The following year, our college would be hosting the conference and I was “conned”
into taking on the role of President. This was also the year that we held the first meeting of Program
Coordinators from across Alberta Colleges. Dan Roselli (Keyano College) was the inspiration behind
these networking events which now take place twice a year and not only continue to provide valuable
insights from our partners across the province, but also give us all the opportunity to reconnect with
long-time colleagues that I now regard as friends.
I have always found both the conference and the leaders meeting provided me with new ideas,
motivation, and the feeling of camaraderie we have with others. The ABEA has a rich history through the
years and continues to be a relevant and vibrant link in the development and advancement of Alberta
business education. Here’s to the next 20 years!
Larry Couture
Larry Couture has been an educator for over a quarter of a century and is completing his
16th year of teaching agribusiness at Olds College. He also served as a Program Coordinator
for almost thirteen years. He has supported his sons and their activities by serving in
several leadership roles in community minor sports organizations. He is an entrepreneur,
but still undecided as to what he wants to do when he “grows up.”
He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Saskatchewan and has
recently enrolled in a Master of Education program at the University of Prince Edward
Island. As a lifelong learner, his inquisitive nature has led him to explore several innovative
learning/teaching strategies. He is pleased to share one of those “discoveries” with his colleagues in this
conference. Larry is President of the Olds College Faculty Association.
Jason Dewling
Dr. Jason Dewling holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Alberta, a Master’s
degree from Acadia University in Nova Scotia, and a Bachelor’s degree which he earned
while studying in Ontario.
Dr. Dewling came to Olds College from Lakeland College, where he served as Associate Dean
of Arts, Science, Business and Academic Services. He currently serves on the International
Practitioner Advisory Board for “The Chair Academy” based in Mesa, Arizona.
Jason has been happily married to his wife, Heather, for 17 years, and they share the joy of
parenting their two daughters, Jenna and Heidi. The Dewling family lives in Olds.
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iSpark Innovation & Inspiration
SESSION DESCRIPTIONS
Thursday, May 9, 2013
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Keynote: The Networked Administrator
George Couros
Alumni Centre
George Couros is the Division Principal of Innovative Teaching and
Learning for Parkland School Division. He has worked with all levels of
school from K-12 as a teacher, technology facilitator, and school based
administrator. He is a sought after speaker on the topic of innovative
student learning and engagement.
George is also the creator of the Connected Principals blog site as well
as the founder of Connected Canada. His focus is to help organizations
create optimal learning environments for innovation within schools.
Although George is a leader in the area of innovation, his focus is always the development of
leadership and people and what is best for kids. He uses humour as a way to connecting with all
of those that he works with.
His presentations are known to be both informative and entertaining, yet creating an emotional
connection that helps people move to the next level. His mix of research, personal stories, and
practical ways to implement new learning help participants feel comfortable in taking risks in
their own learning. You can learn more about George at his site georgecouros.ca.
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Thursday, May 9, 2013
10:15 – 11:45 a.m.
Session 1
Twitter for Administrators & Educators
George Couros
Twitter is not about just sharing what you had for lunch. It is a great
resource to help with real-time learning and connect with some of the
smartest minds around the world in the world of education, while also
giving you the opportunity to share the work that you are doing as well. In
this workshop, George Couros will share with you why you should
connect, how you should connect, and whom you should connect with to
ensure that you have personalized professional development at your
fingertips, 24-7.
Session 2
Working with Disabilities in the Classroom
Sandra Prevost & Rann-Dean Savage
This session will present a brief overview of accommodations available for
supporting students with disabilities in the classroom. This is an interactive
information session on environments and specific disabilities that will
provide insight and understanding to help support student success.
Presenter Profiles: Sandra Prevost and Rann-Dean Savage have been
working at Olds College for over 10 years in the Transitional Vocational
Program. Both have experience working with individuals who have a wide
array of disabilities in residential, vocational, and educational environments.
Session 3
Fashion Feng Shui
Joanne Ward
Elemental influences are connected to our choices and behaviors. This session will give you an
overview of the 5 Elemental Archetypes, which will guide you in creating an attractive and
authentic appearance.
You will discover your Elemental Energies and learn how to "dress" your mind, body, and spirit in
a systematic, natural way.
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Presenter Profile: Joanne Ward is married and has 3 children. She knows
firsthand what it is like to meet the demands of motherhood and business at
the same time. She has always been an entrepreneur, even from a young age.
Growing up in rural Alberta, as the only girl in the family with 3 brothers, she
learned how to work hard and rise above challenges! In school she was very
competitive and was involved in student's union, was the yearbook editor,
and achieved high school valedictorian.
Joanne holds a 2-year diploma in Secretarial Science from Red Deer College, which she
completed in one year. She fondly remembers her favorite course was "Women in Business."
Shortly after working in her field for one year, Joanne was introduced to Mary Kay Cosmetics.
This experience was an excellent training ground for marketing, selling, and managing a small
business, and Joanne enjoyed many successful years in this endeavor.
In 2009, Joanne completed her Fashion Feng Shui Facilitator Professional Training Program and
teaches this holistic approach as her system of image consulting. She
works with individuals and various groups and facilitates programs for
professional businesses and education faculties. Joanne also does
contract work as a make-up artist and skin care specialist. Always rising to
a challenge, Joanne enjoys network marketing and the opportunities it
brings.
Session 4
Undergraduate Education for the New Millennium: Starting from Scratch
David J. Helfand, President & Vice Chancellor, Quest University Canada
Universities, built on a nineteenth century model, are being asked to address twenty-first century
problems and to educate twenty-first century students. It's not always a perfect match. I will
discuss an alternative model for undergraduate education and institutional structure that we
have put into practice at a university designed from scratch with these issues in mind, Quest
University Canada.
Presenter Profile:
 President and Vice-Chancellor, Quest University Canada
 President, American Astronomical Society
 Professor of Astronomy, Columbia University (on leave)
 B.A. (Independent Scholar, Magna cum Laude) Amherst College
 M.S. (Physics), Massachusetts
 Ph.D. (Astronomy), Massachusetts
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David Helfand joined Quest University Canada in 2005 as an advisor to the University. He was a
visiting tutor during the University’s inaugural semester in the fall of 2007 and, in September
2008, was appointed President and Vice-Chancellor of the University.
He has spent 35 years as a Professor of Astronomy at Columbia University where he served as
Department Chair and co-Director of the Astrophysics Laboratory for more than half that time.
He has also been a visiting faculty member at the University of Copenhagen and spent a year as
the Sackler Distinguished Visiting Astronomer at the University of Cambridge.
He is the author of nearly 200 scientific publications covering many areas of modern astrophysics
including radio, optical, and X-ray observations of celestial sources ranging from nearby stars to
the most distant quasars. He recently completed a major project to survey the Galaxy with a
sensitivity and angular resolution a hundred times greater than previously available. The goal is
to obtain a complete picture of birth and death (for stars) in the Milky Way.
David has mentored twenty PhD students, but has primarily taught undergraduate courses for
non-science majors, including one of his own design which treats the atom as a tool for revealing
the quantitative history of everything from human diet and works of art to the Earth’s climate
and the Universe. In 2004, he implemented a vision he began working on in 1982 that has all
Columbia first-year students taking a science course as part of Columbia’s famed Core
Curriculum. He received the 2001 Columbia Presidential Teaching Award and the 2002 Great
Teacher Award from the Society of Columbia Graduates.
In 2011, he was elected President of the American Astronomical Society, the professional
organization of astronomers, astrophysicists, planetary scientists and solar physicists in North
America. He will serve in that role until 2015.
A decade ago, David appeared weekly on the Discovery Channel’s program Science News,
bringing the latest astronomical discoveries to the US television audience. More recently, his
television appearances have been limited to more serious matters on Comedy Central’s The Daily
Show and National Geographic’s The Known Universe. David believes he is a better cook than
astronomer and, ambiguously, colleagues who have sampled his gastronomical undertakings
agree.
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Thursday, May 9, 2013
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Session 5
Blogs as a Portfolio
George Couros
Most people know what blogs are, but there is a great opportunity to
create a powerful digital footprint while showcasing the work that you are
doing with others. Through this workshop, George will share how he has
created his own blog into a portfolio and his resume is always a “Google”
away. How will you prepare yourself and your students to be the first and
best result when someone Googles his/her name?
Session 6
Meeting Diverse Learner Needs
Carmen Christie-Bill
During this session you will learn about universal strategies and
technology assisted web-based programs and resources that can be
used to engage students in meaningful learning activities. Ideas will be
shared as to how one might employ a variety of teaching and learning
methods to meet a diverse student population while considering
various learning styles. You will come away with many course
development strategies and resources as well as a deeper
understanding of how student engagement can be defined.
Presenter Profile: Carmen Christie-Bill is a passionate educator who has experience teaching at
the K-12 level (classroom teacher, Educational Technology Coordinator, and currently Learning
Services Coordinator) as well as post-secondary level (Sessional instructor- Instructional
Technology- Red Deer College, and currently Masters level sessional instructor at the University
of Calgary). Carmen holds a Masters of Education Degree in the specialization area of Educational
Technology and Educational Leadership from the University of Calgary. Her teaching passions
include incorporating various purposeful teaching and learning strategies, while meeting the
needs of her students through differentiated teaching and clear assessment practices. She enjoys
helping and collaborating with other educators for continual reciprocated professional growth.
In her spare time she enjoys puttering on her acreage located in Red Deer County, traveling,
hiking, and home decorating/design/renovating!
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Session 7
The Whole Human Being: Mind, Body, and Spirit Connection
Richard Jelusich, Ph.D.
Dr. Jelusich will present information on the mind-body-spirit connection related to what is
termed “The Whole Human Being” (mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional archetypes). He
will discuss the spiritual nature of the human being as spirit and body simultaneously, and the
eastern and western philosophies of wellness and the integration of the two in today’s world. He
will also discuss the philosophy and meaning of “the Backster Effect”—that we are living in a
‘source field’ of energy and limitless awareness.
Presenter Profile: Dr. Jelusich is an author, teacher, gifted spiritual
energy healer, experienced international speaker, and ordained
Reverend, who has produced 22 episodes of Metaphysics 101 for
educational television. As a strongly gifted intuitive, Dr. Jelusich sees
that you are a luminous being of light experiencing a physical
existence. Richard accurately reads how your soul-quality infuses
itself into your waking personality. While uniquely blending energy
work, spirituality and science within his workshops, public speaking
events and private sessions, Dr. Jelusich continues to offer new ways
to demystify metaphysics. Offering wonderful choices in personal awareness, Dr. Jelusich helps
clients/students self-empower through honoring their natural gifts and inner truth. Dr. Jelusich
has developed a powerfully transformational, two-year, 18-level Spiritual Healer’s Training for
the Whole Human Being program, teaching over 400 students in both Canada and the U.S.
A core faculty member at the California Institute for Human Science, Dr. Jelusich teaches
the following courses: Karma and Reincarnation, Spirituality and Consciousness, and
Psychology of the Chakras (based on his books Eye of the Lotus and I Can Relate).
URL: http://www.lightnews.org
Thursday, May 9, 2013
2:45 – 4:10 p.m.
EXTRA SESSION: Flower Readings
Richard Jelusich, Ph.D.
Flower Readings are fun, accurate, entertaining, and certainly give a lot to think about! Dr.
Jelusich gives a reading on the “state of your life now”; this information is about your path and
characteristics, and a brief healing. To experience Richard’s special abilities in a Flower Reading is
a good reset on your path.
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What Dr. Jelusich does . . .
Richard does not know who brought which flower. The process of anonymity shows the reality of
our spiritual nature. He reads the consciousness of the individual on the flower, and provides
information on a soul level that is accurate for the personality of the holder, including reason for
incarnation, soul’s purpose, life’s strengths and weaknesses, and current issues. Also included
may be past life information (including birth-marks that are cellular memories), and on-the-spot
healing of infirmities, imbalances, bodily illnesses, and tube attachments. The individual’s
identity remains anonymous to Richard until the end of the evening, where they may claim their
flower, or not, as they wish. A question and answer period ensues.
What Dr. Jelusich believes . . .
All healing comes from God, Divine Source. Richard is a conduit for Divine energies, and seeks to
return an individual’s power to themselves and take the mystery out of metaphysics. He believes
that we are all equal spiritually, and we are all seeking enlightenment in God, spiritual evolution,
and accountability for our actions.
Session 8
Undergraduate Education for the New Millennium: Starting from Scratch
David J. Helfand, President & Vice Chancellor, Quest University Canada
Universities, built on a nineteenth century model, are being asked to address
twenty-first century problems and to educate twenty-first century students.
It's not always a perfect match. I will discuss an alternative model for
undergraduate education and institutional structure that we have put into
practice at a university designed from scratch with these issues in mind,
Quest University Canada.
Note: This is a repeat session. See Session 4 for the biography.
Session 9
Lessons I’ve Learned From My Kids on How iPads Can Inspire Me and My
Students in our Learning
Dean Nielson
As my young kids get older, I find that I am watching more and more cartoons. One thing that I
have found is that there is a lot we can learn from these cartoons and how we teach our
students. In this session, I will relate the lessons I have learnt from using iPads at home and in
schools to inspire even the most severe technophobe in the post-secondary environment.
The following are some of the answers you will find in this session: Are you/your students new to
using an iPad or hope to be using an iPad in your class? Are you wondering what features can
help you/your students best utilize the device to aid learning? We will discuss some of the
accessibility features of the iPad as well as some apps that may help you/your students become
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innovators in the classroom. Along with this, some apps and tips that will help integrate the iPad
seamlessly into your instruction will be shared.
NOTE: Attendees are expected to bring a fully charged iPad.
Presenter Profile: Dean Nielson is a Student Services Coordinator with
Chinooks Edge School Division and has a focus on assistive technology. He
has two young children (5 & 2) and is married to a kindergarten teacher. He
has a B.A. in psychology from Queens University and a B.Ed. degree from
Lakehead University. He is currently in the final few courses of his M.Ed.
degree at the University of Calgary. He has been a classroom teacher from
Grades 3 to 12 and has taught a wide variety of subjects and a school
leader in the area of special education. Last year, Dean was hired as an
instructional coach with Golden Hills School Division and worked with
teachers on improving practice in many areas. As a student services coordinator this year, Dean
has worked with many teachers and administrators on effectively using technology in the
classroom. iPads have played a large role in this, and Dean will bring his experience in effectively
using them in the classroom setting and with a wide range of students.
Session 10
Digital Citizenry in Schools and Beyond
Carmen Christie-Bill, M.Ed., B.Ed.
What is digital citizenry? Why is it important in a digital age and in a
digital society? What skills do students need? Instructors? Digital
Citizenship is more comprehensive than a response to bullying or
enforcing codes of conduct in relation to ethical online behavior. Are
we providing opportunities for students to increase their own digital
literacy and participation? In this session we will examine how
digital citizenship plays a role in ‘virtually’ any learning environment.
What does Digital Citizenship look like in a course? How can instructors turn theoretical
conversations into practical actions that bring digital citizenry to life within an educational and
personal context?
Note: See Session 7 for the biography.
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Session 11
Are You Shifting Me? – Simple Solutions to Alleviate Everyday Stress
Dana Tremblay
URL: http://www.gratitudeandsoulshine.com/
Tell me if this sounds familiar: you wake up not feeling entirely well rested. Your alarm didn’t go
off and you are running a few minutes behind. One of the kids has a permission slip you need to
sign and the other needs a dentist appointment booked. Traffic on the way into work is crazy and
your regular parking spot is taken; all of this before 9:00 a.m. There is a reason you drink coffee.
Every day as working professionals, volunteers, wives, fathers and friends, we have competing
priorities that rarely seem in a position to wait their turn. We find ourselves losing sleep, eating
poorly, and generally just feeling run down and gloomy. Sometimes it feels like a hamster wheel
of stress.
Now what if I told you I had a simple solution that you could implement in your life RIGHT NOW
that would be like a breath of fresh air and an extra set of hands? Through this simple technique,
you will learn a simplistic, do anywhere approach that helps eliminate stress.
Dana Tremblay, Chief Gratitude Officer of Gratitude and Soulshine Inc. will speak to you about
every day stress relief techniques in an entertaining and easy to adapt format that will leave you
feeling lighted and more positive towards life.
Presenter Profile: Dana Tremblay has a deep desire to serve and help others
which she has done throughout her varied careers. Her years as a teacher gave
her compassion, empathy and the joy of seeing children succeed. Dana’s career
in Human Resources allowed her to help organizations by providing them with
the right people for the right job. Her work has evolved into being a successful
corporate coach where she continues to share her love of helping others to
succeed.
Dana created and published the bestselling Gratitude and Soulshine cards to
continue to inspire, empower and help others to find more joy and less stress in their lives.
Gratitude and Soulshine are a deck of 52 cards to “inspire a life of gratitude” with over 2400
decks sold around the world. In two short years, the cards have made a huge impact on
volunteers in organizations such as Ronald McDonald House, Calgary Women’s Emergency
Shelter, Sonshine Centre, and the Calgary Mother’s Milk Bank. The deck of cards that inspire
gratitude as an attitude have been picked up by major distributors in the US and Canada and are
available online as well.
As a speaker Dana inspires, uplifts and moves corporate and community audiences alike to focus
on a life based on gratitude. Described as “profound,” “humorous” and “moving,” her
presentations are fresh and provide relatable example of lives changed through simple yet
effective techniques to relieve stress and move towards contentment.
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Session 12
Aboriginal Culture
Derek Thunder
Presenter Profile: Derek Thunder, a Cree from Bigstone Cree Nation in
Northern Alberta, brings a wealth of experience working with First Nations
people to his role at NAIT's Encana Aboriginal Centre. A supervisor and as
presenter at the Dreamcatchers Aboriginal Youth Conference, he has also
worked with the Canadian Indigenous Language Literacy Development
Institute, the Ben Calf Robe Society and Native Counselling Services of
Alberta.
Since joining the Encana Aboriginal Student Centre in August 2009, Derek, who began in an
administrative capacity before becoming a student advisor, has seized every opportunity to
improve his understanding of the NAIT community and to demonstrate his initiative. When the
manager position was vacated in April 2010, he took on additional responsibility, redeveloping
Aboriginal Awareness Week programming later that year. Early in 2011, he demonstrated
additional initiative by reorganizing the Aboriginal Student Graduation Celebration.
Before joining NAIT, Derek, for two years, served as president of the Aboriginal Student Council
at the University of Alberta, where he obtained his degree in native studies and political science.
While building a better environment in which students could study and grow, Derek built
relationships with diverse groups both within Aboriginal communities and elsewhere, all of
whom embrace the specific goal of helping students reach their educational and work-related
goals.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
4:15 – 5:15 p.m.
Session 13
Riding the Wave of Disruptive Innovation in Education
Dr. Alex Bruton
URLS:
 http://theinnographer.com/speaking/
 https://twitter.com/theinnographer
Urgent calls are being made around the world today for new approaches to education. How can
we prepare for a disruption now so often said to be rivaling those that have shaken the music,
newspaper and book industries? In an information society characterized by tech-savvy students
who want to learn more from experience than by attending classes? Where a world-class lecture
can be downloaded for free without even signing up for a course?
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In this insightful yet humorous call to action, Dr. Bruton pushes the envelope on how we think
about teaching and learning and our role as an educator. Through an engaging and visually
captivating telling of stories, he’ll challenge your understanding of innovation and share
approaches to becoming a change-making educator of tomorrow’s students.
Presenter Profile: Dr. Alex Bruton helps people learn to innovate. He plays
many roles in his life including educator, entrepreneur, author, husband and
father. He’s the president of The Innographer, a practical, open education
company dedicated to helping people learn to innovate, and he’s the cofounder of Givyup, a social business that’s changing the face of fundraising and
storytelling in the nonprofit and charitable sectors. In his 17-year career he’s
also played various roles ranging from inventor, to project and product
manager, to department co-founder, to VP of business development. And six years ago he
became a professor at Calgary’s Mount Royal University (MRU) where he loves to teach
innovation and entrepreneurship.
He’s won many awards recognizing his work. In 2011 he was named one of Calgary’s Top 40
Under 40 for his contributions to the community, and in 2012 he was named the Entrepreneurial
Educator of the Year by Canada’s CYBF for his significant contributions to Canada’s economic
growth and prosperity in the education sector.
He can’t wait to meet you and share some ideas and innovation and education!
Session 14
Geocaching
Dave Bjolin
What is geocaching you may ask? Geocaching is an outdoor activity that has “treasure hunters”
equipped with GPS units searching for hidden containers called geocaches.
There are currently over 2,000,000 active geocaches, 5 million geocachers in over 200 hundred
countries.
Come out and learn about this fast growing pastime and find a few “geocaches” hidden on
campus.
Dave was geocaching here!!!
Mount Head is located in the Highwood River Valley, south of Head
Creek and north of Wileman Creek, Highwood Range, Kananaskis Park,
Alberta (Latitude 50; 26; 25 Longitude 114; 39; 00).
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Thursday, May 9, 2013
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
What Mystery Awaits You
at the OCFA Faculty Centre?
6:00 p.m.
Cocktails
6:30 p.m.
Mystery Dinner Theatre – Act 1
7:00 p.m.
Buffet Dinner
. . . the mystery continues
Friday, May 10, 2013
7:45 – 9:10 a.m.
ABEA GENERAL MEETING
Faculty Centre
What Is an Administrative Professional?
Janine Violini
Technology in business has disrupted the role of administrative professionals over the last thirty
years by changing not only how tasks are completed, but the very tasks themselves. As technology
continues to change with increasing pace and complexity, the future promises to be just as turbulent.
Post-secondary institutions are essential in preparing and inspiring the next generation of
administrative professionals to meet these continually changing demands of technology and
business. Redefining the administrative profession now and for the future is necessary for a clear
career path to be identified. Strategies to collaborate and find innovative solutions will be presented
in this thought-provoking invitation to advance and renew the administrative profession.
Presenter Profile: At the age of five, Janine discovered a passion to be . . . a secretary. In secondary
school, she was encouraged to consider the sciences and earned a diploma in Chemical Engineering
Technology. Over time, her infatuation with administrative duties never diminished. During her years
as a professional administrator, she learned that working with passion was more important than the
expectations and preconceptions of others. Professional passion was her measure of success.
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Now, with 20 years of experience in administrative support, seven years in
engineering and technology, and seven years teaching in the administrative field in
post-secondary and corporate environments, Janine presents a unique, holistic
view of the administrative profession today. Evermore passionate, she engages
audiences at all levels in the corporate hierarchy to raise the standards for
excellence in administrative support and redefine the profession for the next
generation.
Janine has worked for companies with employees numbering from 3 to 35,000 in oil and gas,
environment, engineering (energy and civil), financial planning, industrial chemicals,
communications, arts and entertainment, corporate training and post-secondary education. She is a
respected subject matter expert in office procedures, event management from an administrative
perspective, as well as Microsoft Word and other Office applications. Her administrative work
includes 14 years of supporting presidents, CEOs, and artists including JR Shaw of Shaw
Communications and award-winning singer/songwriter, Jann Arden. As an instructor, Janine has
worked with learners from beginner level to world champion. This extraordinary combination of
expertise and experience enables Janine to inspire business professionals to improve administrative
productivity and employee satisfaction.
Friday, May 10, 2013
9:15 - 10:15 a.m.
Session 1
Google+ in the Accounting/Finance Classroom
Mark Fournier
With today’s ever changing technology, it is important to identify and use tools that
today’s learners are comfortable with. Google has been used as an educational
instrument ever since the search engine became popular. Over the years, Google has
introduced new features that students have continuously gravitated towards. Given
Google’s status as a leader in industry and learning, most students are already familiar
with Google and the tools that they offer which makes Google a perfect tool for the
new hybrid classroom. For the upcoming 2013/14 school year, Google has a suite of
software tools that promote collaborative learning. This session will look at ways of
introducing and using many of Google’s collaborative features in an Accounting/Finance
classroom setting.
Google tools that will be reviewed include:
 Google+
 Google Communities
 Google Drive (formerly Google Docs)


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Google Forms
Google Hangouts
NOTE: This will be a practical, hands-on session; as such, participants are encouraged to bring a
tablet or a smartphone with them. Setting up a Google account prior to the session is also
recommended.
Presenter Profile: Mark Fournier CMA, BA has worked as an accounting/business instructor for
the past 10 years. In addition to instructional work, Mark has spent time as a financial lender,
business developer, continuing education manager, and works with a variety of not-for-profit
organizations
Session 2
Laughter Yoga
Heather Taylor
Laughter Yoga is the brainchild of Dr. Madan Kataria, a physician from Mumbai,
India. Laughter Yoga combines Unconditional Laughter with Yogic Breathing
(Pranayama). Anyone can Laugh for No Reason, without relying on humor, jokes
or comedy. Laughter is simulated as a body exercise in a group; with eye contact
and childlike playfulness, it soon turns into real and contagious laughter. The
concept of Laughter Yoga is based on a scientific fact that the body cannot
differentiate between fake and real laughter. One gets the same physiological and
psychological benefits
Participants of Laughter Yoga report significant general health improvements. Many have felt a
reduction in the frequency of respiratory infections like common cold and flu, and some others
reported overcoming depression, relief/cure from chronic medical problems. With people's
committed participation, Laughter Yoga has helped many people become healthier.
Clinical research on Laughter Yoga methods, conducted at the University of Graz in Austria;
Bangalore, India; and in the United States has proved that laughter lowers the level of stress
hormones (epinephrine, cortisol, etc.) in the blood. It fosters a positive and hopeful attitude. It is
less likely for a person to succumb to stress and feelings of depression and helplessness if one is
able to laugh away the troubles.
Session 3
It All Begins and Ends With the Learning Objective
Terry Males, Ph.D.
This session will provide an overview of the Anderson et al two-dimensional revision
of Bloom’s taxonomy, discuss its strengths in defining the learning experience for
instructor and learner, and provide opportunity for application of the taxonomy
both in writing and assessing learning objectives and learning plans.
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Session 4
When Cows Fly
Neil French
In Beef Management the goal is to be 100% paperless, and we are at least 90%
there with a bonus of modules with embedded links, video and spreadsheets.
The only thing still on paper is evaluations as I cannot trust that every student
has a device capable of connecting 100% of the time. I will also demonstrate the
cloud-based record keeping program we are using on multiple devices.
Friday, May 10, 2013
10:30 – 12:00 p.m.
Session 5
Gaming, Gamification, and Mobile
Michael Sokorsky: CEO, Founder Robots and Pencils Inc.
URL: http://robotsandpencils.com/
Michael Sikorsky was one of the first people in the world to own an iPhone. He flew to New York
and stood in line at the Apple store to get one because he had a feeling the iPhone was going to
change the world. Not long after the iPhone, Apple launched the iPad which is leading the
transition from desktop computing to mobile devices.
Sikorsky will review what makes gaming so habit-forming, why education needs to be more
engaging and how gamification of educational content and use of mobile devices are going to
radically change education in the next three years.
Michael’s company Robots and Pencils Inc. is a world-class app developer with several top
grossing apps in the North American and UK app-stores.
Presenter Profile: Michael likes to make things. Currently he spends the
majority of his time working on all things iPhone and iPad. Founded in 2008 by
Michael and his wife Camille, Robots and Pencils builds top grossing apps in
entertainment, such as Spy vs. Spy, World Explorer for Minecraft, Catch the
Princess and Primeval:DFX, and also builds transformative business and
enterprise-wide apps that are revolutionizing industries such as banking, oil
and gas and telecomm with intuitive touch and mobile software.
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Michael holds a Computer Engineering degree from the University of Alberta and holds several
patents in software design, and has been recognized for his visionary software development
being selected as a Top 40 Under 40 in Calgary, one of Alberta’s 50 most influential people in
2011 and is now the entrepreneur in residence for the University of Alberta Engineering Faculty.
Michael is also a venture capitalist and start-up investor in several tech start-ups. Robots and
Pencils Inc. is Michael’s latest venture.
Session 6
What’s The Flap About Getting Flipped? – Can Your Course Have a Flipped
Classroom?
Gord Koch
In this session Gord will demonstrate how he has set up his courses along the lines of a flipped
classroom and the tools he is using to deliver content and manage his classes.
Presenter Profile: Gord Koch has been with Olds College for 12 years as an
Instructor in the School of Environment, with a focus on sustainability in
landscape design, construction and project management. Since arriving at the
College after over 25 years in industry, Gord has been looking at methods to
reduce classroom lecture time and increase productive time focused on
project work, problem solving and team work. He has been retooling his
courses to move to the flipped classroom model.
Session 7
Teaching Persistence in Problem-Solving: What does Hockey have to do with
Accounting?
Larry Couture
Have you ever assigned students a complex, multi-part problem in
accounting (or any other subject for that matter) and just had them sit
there . . . unsure of even how to begin? I have . . . and I don’t believe that
I am alone.
Come prepared for an interactive session demonstrating how problemsolving skills applied in certain areas of a student’s frame of reference can
possibly be transferred to complex accounting situations such as the generation of a master
budget. Where does the hockey part come in? Tape up your knuckles and come and find out!
Note: See page 2 for the biography.
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Session 8
Balancing Perceptions: The Art of Conflict Management
Greg MacIntyre
Conflict is a perceived or real struggle that is the result of opposing needs or values that can be
either internal or external. This session will give you tools to deal with conflict and challenge you
to manage conflict by balancing your perceptions.
Presenter Profile: Greg MacIntyre is a Life Skills Coach, Certified Choice
Theory Coach, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner. Greg has
had extensive experience in personal and team development with
organizations such as government organizations, private companies and
corporations. In 2005, Greg has changed his focus to presenting more
personal growth seminars and personal coaching. Greg is certified as a
Demartini Process® Facilitator and is becoming a master of the art and
science of opening people’s hearts.
Friday, May 10, 2013
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Session 9
Pedagogy and the Mobilization of Education
Leslie Roberts
The educational landscape is changing. Students want alternatives to traditional classroom
learning. They want education that’s mobile, engaging, interactive and fun. Dr. Leslie Roberts,
one of Canada’s leading experts in the digitization of educational content for mobile learning,
designs a blueprint for pedagogical success for educators.
Dr. Roberts will review strategies for designing, delivering and deploying mobile educational
content with a specific focus on the user experience (UX) . Leslie will review the pedagogical
design decisions behind the development of Canada’s first post-secondary educational course
delivered entirely in a mobile app – Discover Entrepreneurship!
Presenter Profile: Dr. Roberts is President and Founder of GoForth Institute,
which designs world-class educational content for mobile applications and is a
regular panelist on BNN’s popular venture capital pitch show “The Pitch.” Leslie
is passionate about combining technological advances with real-world skills to
give learners the best possible foundation for success.
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Session 10
Celebrate Your Grammar Geek!
Brooklin Schneider
This workshop will discuss using web 2.0 technologies in the college
communications classroom.
Does teaching/learning grammar have to be boring? Difficult? Painful? No, of
course it doesn’t; yet grammar (and notions of correctness) remains one of
the most dreaded topics in the college communications classroom. Students
don’t want to learn it, and instructors don’t want to teach it, so grammar is alltoo-often seen by instructors and students alike as something merely to be
endured. And the sooner the grammar lesson is over, the better.
This workshop introduces participants to innovative strategies used in a college business
communications course to help bring grammar instruction forward towards collaborative, integrative,
and adaptive learning and away from the tired debates concerning students’ resistance to learning
formal grammar and instructors’ anxiety over teaching it. New technologies—social media, apps,
iPads, Google Docs, and other interactive technology solutions—offer a way to overcome the debate
and focus instead on the necessary work of improving students’ communications skills. Grammar
doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, it can be fun. Students and instructors alike can overcome their
resistance to formal grammar.
Bring your smartphone or tablet to this session, and discover ways to celebrate your inner grammar
geek, all the while learning strategies to improve your students’ communications skills.
_______________
Remember to fill out the
evaluation forms online.
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Session 11
Working Well: Transforming Fatigue and Renewing Our Passion
Sherry Greenbank, M.Ed., R.Psych. & Nathalie Mercier, M.A., R.Psych.
Across the country, college counselors and educators have expressed
“the feeling” that the nature of the students we work with has
changed significantly over the years. In fact, recent empirical studies
of Canadian student mental health have reported significant
increases in severe psychiatric concerns among our post-secondary
student populations.
What might be the impact of this trend upon instructional faculty?
How does the mental health of our students impact our work as
educators? What effect does this have on our personal energy and
wellness? Current literature offers very little insight into these
important questions.
In this session, we will explore trends among our post-secondary student population. Focusing on
wellness, participants will discuss the concepts of Empathy and Compassion Fatigue –How does it
work? What is my understanding of my own response to student distress? How can organizational
structures better support me and help to reduce the risk of compassion fatigue? What are coping and
transforming activities? How do they replenish and sustain my energy?
Come learn how awareness, self-care, and supportive workplace structures can provide a powerful
buffer in the work we do with students.
Presenter Profile: Nathalie Mercier is an Educational Counsellor and Registered Psychologist at
NorQuest College in Edmonton. She has been in the counselling field for 13 years including in the
private practice, psychiatric, rehabilitation and community agency settings. For the past 8 years
in the field of post-secondary education, building connections alongside her team is a key drive
and passion for her as part of advocating and supporting students. Nathalie has provided
multiple presentations and workshops contributing to student success and wellbeing, to faculty
wellness and development, and to enhancing community connections. Nathalie adores her two
children, ages 17 and 11 who keep her busy with teenage angst issues and as a hockey
and soccer mom. Nathalie finds true personal and professional rewards in connecting with
colleagues within Alberta, Canada, and the international community, making these ongoing
learning and enriching experiences.
Presenter Profile: Sherry Greenbank (M.Ed., R.Psych.) is an Education Counsellor at NorQuest
College in Edmonton. She has worked as both a post-secondary instructor and counsellor for
over 20 years. In addition to her work in post-secondary, Sherry has provided psychological
support for diverse client groups and concerns in private practice, including trauma recovery,
play therapy, workplace stress, and addictions. Sherry has a passion for learning and personal
growth and feels honoured to witness this process in others. She enjoys being able to connect
with and support students and colleagues through workshop presentations and seminars.
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Session 12
At the Crossroads: The Shift-It Graphic Coaching Process Step One – Future Focus
Gloria Ulry
Are you currently in a state of “satisfaction interrupted”? Enter the first
stage of the Graphic Coaching process by assessing the crossroads at
which you are currently standing. You may not feel like this is an
opportunity at this moment in time, but when we are uncomfortable,
we make decisions that can impact the next chapter in our lives. Identify
your crossroad issues and your desired outcomes for a magnificent life
and capture them on a Merkley Map created by Christina Merkley of
SHIFT-IT Coach, Inc.
This session will lead you through a series of questions, and you will record your answers on a
map. You are invited to combine color, drawing and writing in your responses. An overview of
the 17 maps of visual coaching explains how ‘at the crossroads’ activities fit into the coaching
process.
NOTE: You will need to bring some colored pens or markers to complete your map. (Some will
also be provided).
Friday, May 10, 2013
2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Alumni Centre
 Final Words
 Conference Draw
 Conference Wrap-up
You’re Invited!!!
OCFA Pub
3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Friends, Food, and Frivolity!
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How can Alberta Works help your students:
Alberta Works helps Albertans upgrade their skills and find rewarding careers. This includes
operating more than 50 Alberta Works Centres throughout the province which offer free career
planning, training information and job search assistance. Our centres are staffed by professional
Career and Employment Consultants who can help job seekers identify their transferable skills,
polish their résumés, connect them to further training or free job-search workshops, and link
them with employers who are hiring. We have built extensive relationships with Alberta’s
employers and hold frequent job fairs to help connect job seekers with recruiters. You can find
the office nearest you by clicking http://employment.alberta.ca/offices
Those who prefer to access information and services through the Internet will be thrilled with
our comprehensive Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, which offers online
services to everyone from students and job seekers to educators and counsellors. The site
features profiles (OccInfo) of more than 500 different occupations, including wages, required
training, working conditions and hiring outlook. It also offers an entire section devoted to tips
and advice on finding a job. The ALIS site offers a free online résumé review service and a link to
the Career Information Hotline — a toll-free hotline staffed by professional career consults.
Thank you to Alberta Works for donating the notebooks and
pens to the iSpark Innovation and Inspiration Conference.
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There are many people who worked in front and behind the scenes to make this conference
possible!

Dorene Loughlin, Alberta Works

Catherine Bruce and ABEA Executive

Kerry Moynihan, Department of Advancement

Marcus and his Chartwells staff

Mike Wareman, our in-house Techspert

Morgan Ross, School of Business Chair

Office Administration Students & Write2Type

OC Caretakers and AUPE members

Sandi Hallett and OCFA Executive

Toby Williams, CIRE

Terri Phillips and Conference Services staff
Your iSpark Conference Planning Committee

Barb Mulholland, Director of Learning, Community Learning Campus

Brooklin Schneider, OCFA

Carmel Maloney, OCFA & ABEA

Carole Calenso-Fair, OCFA

Gloria Ulry, OCFA

Gord Koch, OCFA

Gordon Gilchrist, OCFA

Heather Taylor, OCFA & ABEA

Philip Watland, OCFA
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