“The Backstage of Education: How Non-Teaching Roles Translate Cognitive Science Research into Effective Learning Experiences Design” presented by Irina Ghilic & Amy Pachai

Date/Time
Date(s) - 14/07/2023
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Experience designers have a motto: “great experiences don’t happen accidentally”. An engaging learning experience requires intentionality, which can be achieved by planning the details of the experience and creating an environment conducive to learning. Learning Experience Designers, Educational Developers, and other people who work “behind the scenes” in education can act as the bridge between cognitive science research and real-life learning. How might we translate research into practice? What opportunities or barriers might we face? A key factor to applying learning experience design is to foster an environment of co-creation: all voices are important. This talk will focus on how people in teaching and non-teaching roles can design memorable and inclusive learning experiences by intersecting cognitive science research and accessible experience design.

Dr. Irina Ghilic is a Learning Experience Designer on the Teaching and Learning Services team at DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University. With over twelve years of experience designing, developing, and promoting quality culture for teaching and learning in education, Irina has a diverse skill set in curriculum design, educational development, learning research, creative problem solving, strategic planning, and project management. Irina’s work practice intersects inclusive design, cognitive science, and the use of technology in education, and her doctoral dissertation focused on cognitive offloading, note-taking, and identifying the gaps between applied research and inclusive learning design. As a Learning Experience Designer, Irina explores a learner’s entire journey and creates human-centric solutions that go beyond the traditional boundaries of instructional design. Her ongoing work with educators and learners is driven by accessibility practices, research-based outcomes in teaching and learning, and digital learning development practices.

Dr. Amy Pachai is an Educational Developer on the Teaching and Learning Services team at DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University. Since joining DeGroote, she has worked with instructors, staff, and students to create and execute an innovative new blended learning MBA program for working professionals, launched in Fall 2018. Now, she supports the faculty and staff across DeGroote on their courses and programs from design through to feedback and continuous improvement. Prior to this role, her doctoral research explored ways to reduce mind wandering and improve learning. Amy has facilitated learning experiences for diverse audiences on topics such as creating effective assessments, maximizing the impact of your LMS, design thinking, scientific writing skills, business communication, and study strategies for students. Amy’s work connects evidence-based best practices with the complex realities of teaching and learning in 2023. Her goal is to create effective learning experiences that centre the humans involved.