News

LSAC 2015 National Conference

Second and Final Call for Proposals

The Learning Specialist Association of Canada (LSAC) invites proposals for sessions at our 2015 national conference, May 11-13, at the University of Guelph in Ontario.  While proposals on any topic relevant to our practice are welcome, we are particularly interested in sessions which reflect the conference theme of Transitions: People, Practice, Profession.

To help participants choose the sessions most relevant to their needs, please consider in which of the following streams your session would best fit:

• Assessment
• Learning Centre Coordination/Management
• Learning Strategies
• Peer-to-Peer Assistance
• Student Populations
• Student Resources
• Students with Disabilities
• Writing
• Other - please specify on the proposal form

The conference will feature four session formats:

1. Workshop - 60 minutes
Inspire your participants to roll up their sleeves and immerse themselves in the luxury of an hour of focused quality time developing ideas, strategies, or tools they can use in their practice. A high level of interactivity is anticipated.

2.  Panel - 60 minutes
What better way to come to grips with a topic, issue or interesting problem than assembling a group of keen, passionate colleagues with something to contribute?  A panel is an ideal way to elucidate the complexities of a timely issue. Please allow ample opportunity for the audience to ask questions of the panel.

3.  Practice Exchange Discussion - 60 minutes
Have you got lots of questions but not many answers?  Engage the savvy minds of your colleagues and facilitate a give-and-take group discussion on a hot topic of your choice.

4.  Information Session - 25 minutes
Are you longing to share a recent programming innovation, technological wizardry, or fascinating research project? Here's your chance to showcase your latest and greatest project, inspiring insight, or trendy tech tool.

The final deadline for submitting proposals is Monday, January 26, 2015 by midnight.  Each proposal will be blind-reviewed by an independent committee.  Results will be communicated in early February.

For more information about submitting a proposal, please contact:

Maryann Kope
Chair, LSAC 2015 Conference Planning Committee
University of Guelph

November 24, 2014

Toronto- The Learning Specialists Association of Canada (LSAC) has collaborated to create a memorandum of understanding with three other like-minded international organizations to form the International Consortium of Academic Language and Learning Developers. 

As of November 21, 2014 the Consortium will be in effect for professional members of LSAC, the Association for Learning Development in Higher Education (ALDinHE) [United Kingdom], Association of Tertiary Learning Advisors of Aotearoa/New Zealand (ATLAANZ), and the Association for Academic Language and Learning (AALL) [Australia]. 

“This has been the result of two years of online meetings by representatives from all four associations” says Michael Lisetto-Smith, President of LSAC. “We are looking forward to the sharing of research, resources, and ideas for all four associations to better the needs of our members and further apply it to our work in post-secondary institutions.” Benefits of the Consortium include access to member-rates for professional development opportunities and access to online resources, online forums, and journals offered by each member association.

The Consortium will support a professional identity of practitioners working in the field of academic language and learning development; facilitate professional development opportunities for members; encourage and sponsor research, including collaborative research, in the field of academic language and learning development; and, publish and disseminate papers and resources to underpin the theory and practice of academic language and learning development. 

The Learning Specialists Association of Canada (LSAC) is a voluntary, national association for professionals who focus on the application of learning theory in higher education. By offering instruction in learning strategies and study skills, our members support and further the educational goals of students, faculty, staff and school administrations. LSAC's purpose is to develop, encourage, and model sound professional and ethical standards among its members while facilitating the dissemination of current and emerging trends and research in learning. More information about LSAC can be found online at www.learningspecialists.ca.

Contact:
MICHAEL LISETTO-SMITH, MA
President, Learning Specialists Association of Canada
mlisettosmith@wlu.ca

Call for proposals and open for registration!

“The New Face of Learning: Transforming Lives”

Please join us in beautiful Richmond, British Columbia!

May 22 - 24, 2013

Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Richmond Campus

Discover the amazing events and presenters planned for you.  Submit your proposals now! 

We look forward to welcoming you to beautiful BC for the second national conference.

The LSAC Eastern Region is proud to announce that its annual regional conference will occur on Friday, December 7th, 2012 at the University of Toronto. This year's theme is "The Intersection of Learning and Teaching: Collaboration and Integration" and will feature Dr. Pat Rogers, Associate Vice-President, Teaching and Learning (Laurier), as its keynote speaker. This year's conference will also include concurrent sessions followed by an end note address from Dr. Mary Wilson, Director of the Centre for Innovation in Art & Design Education (OCADU). Registration for this event will open on October 22nd.

The conference organizers are now accepting conference session proposals for consideration. The presenters for any proposal that is accepted for the conference will receive a 75% discount on the conference registration rate. Conference session proposals are due by October 1st, 2012. The conference registration rate will be announced by the end of September.