Connections 2024

Tuesday, August 20 and Wednesday, August 21

Connections is an annual conference organized by employees for employees. It is about connecting face-to-face with colleagues from different departments and campuses, and celebrating the strengths and diversity of the people who work here through interactive social activities and fun informative workshops.

Join your colleagues on either Aug. 20 or 21 at Okanagan College's 19th Annual Employee Learning Conference. Hear from your President about what's happening at Okanagan College and check out some workshops.

Student Fundraiser

Each year Okanagan College students access a range of resources and supports through the VSAOC (Vernon Students’ Association OC) and OCSU (Okanagan College Students’ Union) including the Pantry, which provides students with a range of non-perishable food items and basic hygiene and toiletry items.

Connections 2024 will be collecting food items and monetary donations to support these valuable student supports. Please bring your items to the check in table on the morning you are registered, and we will gladly provide you with valuable tickets that can be used to win prizes throughout the day.

Schedule of the day's events

8:15 - 9 a.m. Registration at the Kelowna campus
9:15 - 10:15 a.m. Opening Remarks and OC Updates - President Neil Fassina
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Learning Session #1
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Lunch near the courtyard
12:45 - 1:45 p.m. Learning Session #2
2 - 3 p.m. Learning Session #3
3 - 4:30 p.m. Connections Social

Session descriptions

10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Learning Session 1 descriptions

Presented by: Kathy Bockhold

Audience: General

Description: Enjoy a walk through the museums of Northern Italy and discover the connection between art and anatomy by the great artists of Italy.

Presented by: Jeanette with T.R.E.E.S.

Audience: General

Description: Introduction to young tree training. The same principles apply for young and established shrubs such as hedges and ornamental plantings. It's about the INTENTION of pruning.

Presented by: Deborah Warren

Audience: General

Description: Deb registered at the Vernon Airport with Aurora Aviation to take flight lessons. This was paid for in part from PD funds. She was evaluating their online training as preparation for taking the Transport Canada exam for PPL license, and she can say that the online training and dual-flight with a flight instructor is excellent. Come to the session and hear all about it.

Presenters: Kisun Kim

Audience: Instructional

Description: Can I show streaming videos in my online class? Does recording my session while streaming videos for the class contravene copyright laws? Where can I find open resources so that my students don’t have to buy expensive textbooks? What copyright options do I have for my own online material? Have you asked yourself these questions, or do you have other copyright questions? We’ll help you find the answers to these questions, as well as others, in preparation for future classes.

Presented by: Kate Cook and Jacqui Noftall

Audience: Instructional

Description: This session is designed to help you successfully navigate the twists and turns of your professional journey. Whether you're just starting out or looking to make a change, this course will provide you with tools, resources, and guidance to begin charting your career course with confidence and clarity.

Presented by: Howard Hisdal

Audience: General

Description: Have you ever wondered why the College has four different campuses? Find out why by attending History Professor Howard Hisdal's presentation on the last 60 years of Okanagan College history as 2023 was our Diamond Jubilee year. You may even learn about a few scandals.

Presented by: Linda O'Donoghue

Audience: Instructional

Description: This session will explore the outdoors as a potential "classroom" space where learners and facilitators learn together experientially. Participants will discover strategies and ideas on how nature and the outdoors inform learning from an embodied perspective.

Learning Outcomes:
Patricipants will
-atriculate strategies for teaching and learning outdoors
-discuss ideas for outdoors teaching and learning within their discipline
-discuss how nature and the outdoors allow for experiential and embodied learning

Presented by: Stephen Brown

Audience: General

Description: In this workshop, you'll get to meet MOM: the new, online and open-source MyOkanaganMath assessment platform. MOM provides algorithmically generated questions for use in mathematics, physics, chemistry, business, and other quantitative fields. MOM seamlessly integrates with Moodle and is ideal for generating randomised questions for use in assignments and tests. In this workshop, you will get to see what features are provided in MOM, what questions are available in its diverse question library, and maybe take a look at the design process for creating new questions.

Presented by: Frithjof Petscheleit

Audience: General

Description: Be More Than A Bystander (BMTAB) is a training and educational program to support organizational and cultural shifts towards more inclusive, safer and respectful workplaces. The training equips participants with practical tools and strategies to intervene in bullying, harassment and violence.

Since 2018, BCCWITT has partnered with EVA BC to customize the BMTAB program for the skilled trades industry. With the support of SkiledTradesBC, the program has expanded and been delivered across the province. This is a shortened version of the usual 2-hour session.

Presented by: 

Audience: General

Description: 

Presented by: Mystery Presenters

Audience: General

12:45 - 1:45 p.m. Learning Session 2 descriptions

Presented by: Adrienne Renaud

Audience: General

Description: Learn how changing the way you think about clothing can impact the environmental and social harms of the fashion industry. Get practical tips for shifting to sustainable shopping habits.

Presented by: Kyla Ashman

Audience: Instructional 

Description: What is Autism? What do you need to know if you have a student with Autism in your class? What are come strategies that may assist a student on the spectrum to be successful in your course?

Presented by: Anna Wolleben

Audience: General

Description: Discover the art of repurposing old maps into unique bookmarks at our workshop! Join us as we guide you through the creative process of transforming vintage maps into practical and beautiful little handmade gifts you can present to your beloved ones.

Presented by: David Williams

Audience: General

Description: Is AI the key to transforming your work? Embark on an exploratory journey in this hands-on workshop designed by all members of the college community. Through interactive activities and real-world examples, you'll investigate how generative AI can streamline workflows, enhance quality and boost productivity. 


Discover the  potential applications of AI in your specific role such as generating course content, providing feedback on an important email and troubleshooting software issues.

 
Attend to crack the code and decide for yourself if AI can help unlock a more efficient and effective work life. Gain practical knowledge on integrating these tools into your daily taks and workflows. 

Presented by: Chantale Hutchinson

Audience: General/Instructional

Description: Okanagan College employees from all areas and campuses play a central role in supporting learner success. In this session we invite you to explore the four Core Concepts of the Okanagan College Learning Framework through an invigorating hour of approaches designed to supercharge your classes and meetings. 

Presented by: Ben Halsall

Audience: General

Description: This talk will explore the benefits and pitfalls of sharing content online. How can this content support our students? How do you find your niche? Who should start a YouTube channel? Can you make a living as an influencer? Keeping your authentic voice online and creating an online following or community can be a challenge. This workshop will explore these themes and will invite discussion from participants.

Presented by: Terry Bridges

Audience: General

Description: Since its launch in Dec. 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has worked flawlessly and has already produced amazing science. In this presentation, Terry will talk about the incredible technological achievement that the JWST represents, its launch and deployment of its mirrors and instruments, and how it is revolutionizing our understanding of the first galaxies to form in the universe, the birth and death of stars, planets around other stars, and even our own solar system. Terry will also discuss why he thinks we should change its name.

Presented by: AR (Antriksh) Mistry

Audience: General

Description: Observing day-to-day experiences and delving into any learning moments. Are simple experiences insightful?

Presented by: Gardeen DePluzer and Shani Herath

Audience: General

Description: The "What is Bias and what do we do about it" session equips participants with tools to address biases and foster inclusive work environments. Participants engage in self-reflection and exploration, guided by experts with lived experience to raise awareness of biases and learn practical strategies to mitigate their impact. By delving into unconscious bias and systemic discrimination, participants gain a deeper understanding of bias in personal and professional settings.

Presented by: Mystery Presenters

Audience: General

2 - 3 p.m. Learning Session 3 descriptions

Presented by: Catie Whibley

Audience: General

Description: Whether you're a beginner or need a refresher of your skills, this workshop is for everyone who wants to crochet! We will be learning beginner stitches to make washcloths and potholders for your home or to gift away.

Presented by: Kate Cook and Jacqui Noftall

Audience: General

Description: Resiliency helps us adapt to change, manage stress, and maintain a positive outlook, which in turn can improve our overall well-being. By developing resiliency, we build capacity in all areas of our life that helps us better navigate through difficult situations and emerge stronger and more confident on the other side. In this hands-on session, participants will explore their "wheel of life" and identify strategies to bring balance and resiliency to their life.

Presented by: Julian Buck and Sean White

Audience: General

Description: New to craft beer and want to learn what it’s all about? Craft beer fan who would like to know more about what you enjoy? Then this session is for you! We will learn about craft beer styles and history while sampling a variety of beers from one of the Okanagan’s best craft breweries, Copper Brewing, to guide us along the way.

Presented by: Joanne Stacey

Audience: General

Description: Fast paced, fun and creative.  Great for anyone who loves music and wants to learn more about songwriting. No need to play or sing to participate. We will have a great time and write a song together!

Presented by: Kate Sidlar

Audience: General

Description: There’s an invisible squid, and plants that shun light, and a snail that pulsates with colours so bright. But these wonders in nature wouldn’t exist if complex interactions didn’t persist. All living things work together without question; if you want to learn more, sign up for this session!

Presented by: John Caspers

Audience: General

Description: What are the must haves when camping? These are the items you should have to ensure a great time when camping.

Presented by: Kathryn Truant and Certified Dental Assistant Team

Audience: General

Description: There are many products and systems advertised to whiten teeth. Backed by research, and not by brand ownership, this workshop will help dispel the myths and present the facts surrounding this multi-billion-dollar industry.

Presented by: Ryan Ebner

Audience: General

Description: A 30-minute session on how to work with files within Teams. This will included sharing files in Teams, securing Teams files, recovering missing documents or unwanted changes. Additionally, a tip or two to help with your day-to-day use.

Presented by: Carolee Clyne

Audience: General/Instructional

Description: This session is designed to highlight the new elements of the UDL guidelines addressing issues of identity and culture included in the newly released version 3.0. With a renewed focus on learner centred, the revisions expand these well known guidelines to include values of collective learning, interdependence, and multiple ways of knowing representing diversity in perspectives and identity. 

Presented by: 

Audience: General

Description: 

Presented by: Mystery Presenters

Audience: General

Registration

Register for Connections on either Aug. 20 or 21 by Sunday, August 4

Connections 2021 video