Author Archives: John P Egan

There’s a lot happening right now. One term completed; another looming large with a first-time taught course on a first-time used LMS platform. Throw in some holidays (Mexico), professional development (two conferences in Montréal), and an upcoming intensive language course … Continue reading →

Is the term really (nearly) over? Wow that zoomed by. For me, at least. Still tidying a bit of stuff up though. Which means marking. It’s nearly done; I’m well done. ETEC565A went well.’Twas the first time teaching the tweaked … Continue reading →

As we have moved through the program I have become increasingly appreciative of the mentorship I received in my early university teaching career. Those relationships—most specifically with Professors Allison Tom, Tom Sork and Dan Pratt—have served me exceedingly well fifteen … Continue reading →

For folks new to teaching online (or blended), managing your online space can be a bit challenging at first. Or rather challenging. Or hairy-pulling challenging. As someone who started teaching online back when the internet was based on fishing line … Continue reading →

After a guilt-free work at home day (very productive, in terms of work and chores), I hopped into the car at 16h30 en route to Cypress Mountain. Since yesterday morning there had been almost 60cm of fresh “powder”. In coastal … Continue reading →

I was prepping for a meeting recently and wanted to use some basic animations in a PowerPoint slide deck. Nothing fancy–just bringing bullet list items one at a time as a discussion unfolds. And was resigned to schlep my laptop … Continue reading →

Got this email today: Starting March 1, Emirates is offering new daily service from Seattle (SEA) to destinations in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the South Asian subcontinent via Dubai. With our new partnership with Alaska Airlines, travelers can … Continue reading →

He asked for it. Here it is.  I’ve been fairly obsessed with “tablet teaching” as of late. Initially I was more than happy to plug my iPad into the projector (or podium) and use it like a laptop. Then I … Continue reading →

A quick metric for how overcommitted busy I am relates to my iOS devices. No, they’re not neglected–I use my iPad and my 2 iPhones (one is for work…but yes I’m a loser) every day. Certain apps would need to … Continue reading →

I don’t often write about my life here. Perhaps I should? Or not? This morning I had a marvellous ski up on Cypress Mountain. I managed to get all the way to the top of Hollyburn Ridge for only the second time … Continue reading →

Gung hay fat choy! Gung hay! Gung hay! The latest cohorts of ETEC565A are well under way: somewhat smaller crowd (17 and 18 per section), but two quality bunches of folks in each.  Qualitative feedback on their Flight Paths has … Continue reading →

…et après Québec. J’aime la belle province (oui, c’est un province; n’importe) et j’y allais en 2009. Québec me manque! Il y aura deux conférences à Montréal en juin; donc je serai là pour une dizaine de jours. Et pour … Continue reading →

Or, rather, another teaching term. This terms I’ve got two sections of ETEC565A; in the end I suspect I’ll have just under 40 students in total. A nice, manageable number! I’ve made a few tweaks (with my colleague Jeff Miller) … Continue reading →

Another year has zoomed by. It’s been an interesting one for me, particularly on the professional front. I’ve taken on–and settled nicely into–a newly created role in a newly created service unit. I’ve built a new working relationship with one … Continue reading →

I’m hiring a GAA for Jan-Apr 2011.  You must be a UBC full-time graduate student. Job ad is here; feel free to circulate widely. Applications close 1159PM Sunday 18 December.

The Guardian UK reports the latest Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD, or those kapitalist bums, as I like to think of them) education rankings. Overall Canada comes in third, behind South Korea and Finland. New Zealand is 4th, … Continue reading →

Bless me blogosphere for I have sinned. I should’ve posted this a couple of weeks ago. Had other things to do. Sorry, sort of. I calibrated my recent travels in Europe to be in Riga for Latvia’s indepdence celebrations. Like … Continue reading →

Today the CBC had a story on the most recent results of the PCAP tests, which are administered to grade 8 students across the country.Unlike many of my colleagues in education I think have some sort of national assessment of … Continue reading →

I awoke today the freshest so far: darn near bright eyed and bushy tailed, as Mom used to say. After a mediocre buffet breakfast, I set out for my first sightseeing destination: Lieutuvos Radio Television (TV) Tower It’s honking’ big … Continue reading →

After a relaxing morning at my Warsaw hotel I decided, as much to shake myself out of lingering jet lag torpor, to head to the airport a bit early. Upon my arrival I do as I always do: I checked … Continue reading →