Welcome to EDCI 335 – Learning Design for Technology-Mediated Environments. My name is Mary Watt (she/her) and I will be your instructor for section A01 this term.

I’m grateful to live on the unceded ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm(Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh(Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples in Vancouver British Columbia where I have lived for over 30 years.

I’ve been working with interactive and multimedia learning for many years, first as part of a research and development lab at SFU working on interactive museum and science centre exhibits and educational programs, then as a Curriculum Developer and Instructor for SFU Continuing Studies. I’ve also worked as a consultant for companies developing online aviation training, workplace safety campaigns, outdoor education and K-12 curriculum. Currently, I work in the Centre for Teaching Excellence at Capilano University in North Vancouver as an Instructional and Learning Design Specialist. Along the way I’ve watched learning design in technology mediated spaces evolve from something that was once only feasible for large teams of specialized experts to the development of tools and platforms that are open to anyone. Learning how to design these learning spaces thoughtfully and effectively, with a critical and ethical lens, has become a key skill in teaching and learning.

Through my kids I’ve also been involved for a long time with the democratic school movement, a philosophy of learning that trusts students to take responsibility for their own learning and for the learning community. Within the structure of this course, I will always try to give you as much freedom as possible to explore the material in ways that are authentic and meaningful for you. Please take advantage of the opportunities to give feedback and make choices about your learning path. I promise, I will be listening! I’m excited to learn more about you as we explore and learn together this term.

Email: marywatt@uvic.ca

Twitter: @mwatt2