Journey Through Innovative Digital Pedagogies

This week’s class was engaging as each small group presented their problem of practice related to educational technology integration and innovation. It was fascinating to see the diversity in the chosen topics and how each group approached their presentation. In fact, w hat stood out most to me was how each group interpreted the task differently. This highlighted that there is no single right way to approach the assignment. Similar to technology, innovation occurs with diversity and experimentation. There was an added layer of creativity achieved in the class, thanks to the variety of digital tools used to incorporate an interactive element into the presentations. Digital tools such as Mentimeter, Quizizz, and Padlet were used, which I appreciate as I generally learn about a digital tool that I was not familiar with. At the start of my group's presentation, I will admit I was nervous. However, as we progressed through our presentation, I felt more confident. My group selected a pro...

I was hired as an assistant professor at the University of Toronto at the same time as the world was facing an unprecedented global pandemic.  I was a course coordinator for the first course in the medication therapy management (MTM) laboratory series. T he faculty was rethinking and adapting their teaching methods for virtual learning. I had to restructure the lab into a virtual format, which was no small feat, because the course relied heavily on practical, in-person experiences.  Pharmacy education has traditionally relied on didactic lectures, face-to-face learning in laboratories, and experiential placements to develop the professional skills required of a pharmacist. In-person learning allows students to enhance their communication skills through realistic patient interactions, and students benefit from immediate feedback and mentorship from clinical instructors (i.e., practicing pharmacists). Additionally, the classroom environment fosters meaningful relationships with ...

In the first class of Innovative Digital Pedagogies, we explored foundational theories and models that help explain the challenges of adopting digital tools. The theories and models explore the understanding of why resistance to change occurs and how we can plan more effectively for the successful adoption of digital tools. As a university professor, I find these theories relevant when navigating the ever-evolving landscape of pharmacy education, where digital transformation is necessary.  In my teaching, I have struggled with incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into my current courses. AI can transform pharmacy education, including personalized learning, clinical simulations, and decision-support tools. However, its adoption is not without barriers. In the first-year Medication Therapy Management laboratory (clinical practice lab), students were introduced to the potential of AI in clinical practice and the academic setting. AI tools were demonstrated to show they...