C&P Program Updates for CTL Newsletter

C&P News & Updates: April 2026

New CTL Intersession & Summer Courses and Courses with Available Spaces

The following CTL graduate courses are new or still have available spots for the Intersession and Summer! Take this opportunity to explore cutting-edge research, innovative methodologies, and interdisciplinary topics alongside a dynamic graduate community. Final date to enrol in May-to-June (F) and May-to-August (Y) term courses via ACORN is Wednesday. May 6, 2026. Please check the OISE Summer Course Schedule 2026 for enrolment restrictions.* Course descriptions for those not listed in the OISE Bulletin are provided below.

CTL1042H Intro to Community-Based Research Methods and Practice
Offered by Professor Carol Ann Burke
Summer Session: In person, Mondays, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (includes a 1-hour lunch break)

This introductory course explores principles of community-based research in informal education settings. It is designed for master’s (any program) and PhD students with limited experience in educational research and/or teaching. The course introduces the theory, skills, and practices needed to design and conduct social science research that centres the needs and priorities of a defined community.

Students can expect a challenging yet highly practical experience, with each class integrating theory, practice, and application. Readings are intended to support critical engagement rather than serve as definitive texts. The course emphasizes metacognitive reflection on both students’ own learning and that of science learners in informal contexts. It is guided by the central question: What are the key elements of community-based research, and how can they be applied in informal education settings?

CTL2001H Professional Skills and Development in Education
Offered by Professor Arlo Kempf
Intersession (Intensive): May 19–29, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (in person)

This course provides graduate students with opportunities for professional and skills development through a strong experiential component. Students learn to critically engage with educational research, participate in public discussions on education issues, articulate the skills developed through their degree, and explore how research contributes to the public good and social change.

Beginning with exercises that connect graduate study to students’ own learning biographies, the course examines how educational research impacts a wide range of settings, including schools, postsecondary institutions, cultural organizations, non-profits, and youth-serving agencies. A key goal is to help students position themselves in relation to both research and its diverse audiences.

Students also develop practical skills such as writing for academic and non-academic audiences, presenting research in varied contexts, using social media and digital tools for knowledge mobilization, drafting funding proposals, and applying for research ethics approval.

CTL3044H Research Interviewing
Offered by Professor Ashley Moore
Summer: In person, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00–4:00 p.m.

This course examines research interviewing as a widely used yet often under-theorized method of qualitative data generation. Interviews are explored as complex social practices shaped by interactional, material, spatial, temporal, and affective dimensions.

Through a blend of theory, hands-on practice, and reflection, students develop a strong understanding of the methodological and ethical considerations involved in designing, conducting, and analyzing interviews. The course highlights how different interviewing approaches influence research decisions and the knowledge produced.

CTL1844 Seminar in Evaluation Problem (RM) – Assessing Training Impact
Summer: Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:00–8:00 p.m.

Training evaluation typically involves collecting post-training self-report data on participants’ satisfaction and perceived effects on themselves or their organizations. Methodologically, this single-group, post-only design is limited in its ability to accurately assess training impact. This seminar examines measurement and design methods that strengthen the validity of conclusions drawn from such weak experimental designs.

Measurement strategies focus on identifying sources of systematic and random error and approaches to minimizing them, including adherence to best practices in questionnaire design. Design strategies address ruling out threats to validity, documenting the training process to support causal inference, and constructing logical arguments linking training to participant outcomes using a theory of change. While the course primarily draws on quantitative research paradigms, mixed methods approaches are also discussed.

The knowledge and skills developed are applicable to evaluating a range of interventions beyond training, such as after-school tutoring or parental involvement initiatives.

This course extends CTL1046 (Training Evaluation) and is designed for both Master’s and doctoral students seeking deeper engagement with methodologies for assessing training impact. Although related, CTL1046 and this course are offered as independent courses. Prior experience in quantitative or qualitative research or program evaluation is helpful but not required. Foundational concepts will be introduced without assuming prior knowledge. While primarily delivered face-to-face, several sessions will be conducted online. For inquiries, please contact tcm.lam@utoronto.ca

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C&P News & Updates: February 2026 

Innovative Courses and Enhanced Faculty Advising

As registration for Spring and Summer courses approaches, we are pleased to highlight several exciting offerings in the Curriculum & Pedagogy program. This year, a number of courses will be delivered in innovative formats, including intensive block structures that support sustained, in-depth engagement with key topics. These approaches are designed to foster immersive learning, extended dialogue, and meaningful scholarly exchange. Additional details about specific courses and schedules will be shared in the coming weeks.

Looking ahead to next year, we will also be piloting a new faculty advising model. This approach introduces a more centralized and coordinated structure, with key events and intentional touchpoints scheduled throughout the academic year. The aim is to strengthen support for students’ intellectual development, research trajectories, and professional growth, while also fostering deeper connections across cohorts and program streams. We look forward to sharing further information as this initiative develops.

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C&P News & Updates: December 2025 

C&P Courses with Available Spots

The following C&P graduate courses still have available spots for the Winter session! Take this opportunity to explore cutting-edge research, innovative methodologies, and interdisciplinary topics alongside a dynamic graduate community. The final date to add Winter courses via ACORN is Monday, January 12, 2026. Don’t miss out!

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C&P News & Updates: September 2025 

Welcome to Dr. Lydia Cao

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Lydia Cao to the Curriculum and Pedagogy program as Assistant Professor of Digital Technologies in Education!

Dr. Cao brings a rich background in educational research and practice, with a focus on how digital technologies can transform learning—not just by improving existing practices, but by enabling entirely new possibilities. Her work spans AI in education, knowledge building, cross-cultural collaboration, sustainability education, and extended reality (XR) for complex skill development. 

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C&P News & Updates: April 2025 

New Flexible and Inclusive Learning Opportunities in C&P

C&P is pleased to announce that, beginning in the upcoming academic year, we will be offering a range of alternative and innovative pedagogical approaches across select courses. These offerings are designed to enrich student learning and better meet the diverse needs of our academic community. Whether through flexible scheduling, flipped classroom models, or targeted support for international and practicing educators, these courses reflect our ongoing commitment to accessible, responsive, and dynamic teaching.

Here’s what’s coming up:

• CTL1841 – Research Seminar in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education
  Offered year-round and integrated with the work of the SMT Centre, this bi-weekly seminar led by Dr. Rishi Krishnamoorthy will cultivate a strong research community through ongoing dialogue and engagement.
• CTL1011 – Anti-Oppression Education in School Settings
  Utilizing a flipped classroom format with pre-recorded lectures and subtitles, this course—taught by Dr. Arlo Kempf in both fall and winter—supports flexible, self-paced learning and is particularly beneficial for English Language Learners.
• CTL5069 – Introduction to Education Studies in Canada
  Tailored for international students, this fall course led by Dr. Dirk Rodricks runs on a compressed schedule and features support from ROSE. It provides an introduction to Canadian educational research, systems, and expectations for graduate study.
• CTL1809 – Narrative and Story in Research and Professional Practice
  Delivered in an intensive two-week spring format by Dr. Angela Vemic, this course is ideal for those who prefer a focused and immersive learning experience.
• CTL5026 – Life Writing Methods in Qualitative Research
  Scheduled on Saturdays during the winter term, this course by Dr. Tara Goldstein is designed to accommodate working educators. It offers a reflective, practice-oriented exploration of life writing methods in qualitative research.

These courses exemplify our program’s dedication to pedagogical innovation. We encourage all students to explore these offerings and consider how they align with your academic, professional, and personal goals.

For more information, please stay tuned for further announcements.

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C&P News & Updates: January 2025 

Course Scheduling Consultation Process

C&P has launched an initiative to consult with students on their preferences for course scheduling, particularly regarding class times. By gathering student insights, we aim to create diverse scheduling options that better accommodate different needs and commitments, enhancing accessibility and flexibility for our C&P courses. The consultation was distributed in the fall, and we will soon begin analyzing the collected data.

Introduction to Education Studies in Canada

This new C&P course, designed to support international students, focuses on helping them navigate Canada’s education system and engage with cross-cultural and international academic topics. Led by C&P faculty member Dirk Rodricks in collaboration with the Registrar’s Office and Student Experience (ROSE), we anticipate launching the first cohort of this course soon.

For additional details, please contact C&P coordinator, Alexandre Cavalcante, at alexandre.cavalcante@utoronto.ca.

We hope these initiatives mark the beginning of meaningful innovations within our program to better support our diverse and dynamic student population.