About 325 teachers, professionals and managers attended the first-ever online Ped Days event last week.<\/p>\n
Usha James of The Critical Thinking Consortium returned to Ped Days for the opening keynote Oct. 13 and Michelle Miller, author of\u00a0Minds Online: Teaching Effectively with Technology<\/em> gave the closing keynote address Oct. 16.<\/p>\n Many firsts at this year\u2019s Ped Days \u201cThe keynote presentations and sessions were very practical and engaging. We are so thankful to the Dawson teachers who generously shared their best practices and knowledge,\u201d said Julia Lijer\u00f3n of Dawson\u2019s Faculty Hub.<\/p>\n Adapting and sharing<\/strong> It was unclear if many faculty members would attend given the unusual period we are living through. \u201cThey came! And the numbers were even better than last year. We had perhaps a few more at the opening keynote than the previous year,\u201d Azra reported.<\/p>\n Peak attendance at keynote was 140 Recognition for all employees<\/strong>
\n<\/strong>Although Ped Days were different this year, many participated. It was the first time that the event took place over four days, featured two keynotes and was entirely online.<\/p>\n
\nAzra Khan, lead organizer of Ped Days, noted that the spirit of adapting and sharing was present all week.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The opening keynote had a peak attendance of about 140 participants this year. \u201cI would like to thank the organizing team, the Office of Academic Development and Human Resources for putting on these very interesting events,\u201d said Director General Richard Filion. \u201cI\u2019d also like to thank the teachers for attending. It is an important gesture to take the time for professional development.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe DG attended the closing of Ped Days Oct. 16 to announce that all teachers and all employees are receiving the 2019-2020 Director General\u2019s Teaching Excellence Award. The award money will be reinvested in more professional development for all employees.<\/p>\n