Skip to McMaster Navigation Skip to Site Navigation Skip to main content
McMaster logo
2022 Innovations in Education Conference Logo

Innovations in Education Conference

Overview

Join us on Thursday, December 7th and Friday, December 8th in Hamilton, Ontario for the 2023 Innovations in Education Conference. We are pleased to announce the theme this year: “Taking risks and embracing challenge.” 

This theme aims to foster a dynamic exchange of ideas, experiences, and best practices among educators, researchers, administrators, and other stakeholders in the field of teaching and learning as they explore the ways in which new and unique approaches, outside-the-box thinking, and taking risks can enhance the student learning experience and build connection within the education community.  

As educators, we must recognize that taking risks can lead to both success and failure. But failure can still be a success. What did we learn? How can we adapt and improve? What were the unexpected outcomes? We learn more from failure than we do from success and in a time of disruption in the educational landscape it is critical to explore innovative approaches, leverage emerging technologies, adapt to new pedagogical methods, and build on or even challenge existing approaches.  

The goal? Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Share your knowledge, research and approach for taking risks, experiencing failure, and how it helped you and your colleagues learn and grow!  

During this event, we will explore the opportunities and challenges that arise from innovation, such as personalized learning, collaborative teaching models, interdisciplinary approaches, and inclusive education. We will also critically examine considerations when implementing these strategies, including addressing diverse student needs, managing technology integration, adopting new policies, fostering student engagement, and promoting equity and accessibility in education. 

Through keynote speeches, interactive workshops, panel discussions, and paper presentations, we will create a safe space for participants to share their professional insights, research findings, and stories of success (or failure!). By engaging in collaborative discussions and networking opportunities, attendees will gain valuable knowledge and practical tools to navigate the ever-changing landscape of teaching and learning in higher education. 

Join us at the conference on “Taking risks and embracing challenge” to be part of a transformative event that empowers educators and inspires innovative practices in higher education. Together, let us unlock the potential of our students and shape the future of teaching and learning. 

Day 1: Thursday, December 7

Time: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: McMaster Innovation Park, 175 Longwood Rd S Suite 101A, Hamilton, ON L8P 0A1 
Programming: This day will be fully in-person and will include a keynote speaker/panel as well as presentations and hands-on workshops. The closing session on Day 1 will include a networking event.  

Day 2: Friday, December 8 

Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Zoom Events (online)
Programming: This day will be fully online and include a variety of presentations, talks, and workshops. 

Ticket Costs: 
  • $75 for general admission (access to both days) 
  • $50 for presenters (access to both days) 
  • $25 for students (access to both days)

Expandable List

TORONTO, OAKVILLE, AND BURLINGTON: Take Highway 403 to Highway 8 West Main St. Exit. At the traffic lights at the top of the ramp turn right. Proceed on Main St. West and then turn right onto Longwood Road South.  

ST. CATHARINES AND THE NIAGARA PENINSULA: Follow the Queen Elizabeth Way Eastbound over the Burlington Skyway Bridge. Take Highway 403 West towards Hamilton, and exit as described above in the directions coming from Toronto. 

KITCHENER-WATERLOO: Take Highway 401East to Highway 6 South to Highway 403 West, and exit at Highway 8 Main Street Exit as described in the directions coming from Toronto. Or take Highway 8 to the Town of Dundas; proceed along King Street straight through the town – this will become Highway 12 (Cootes Drive). Turn left onto Main Street, continue 1.5 kilometers and turn right onto Longwood Road South.  

BRANTFORD AND LONDON: From Brantford, take Highway 403 East to the Aberdeen Street exit, and turn left onto Longwood Road South.  

MCMASTER UNIVERSITY’S MAIN CAMPUS: If you are parked near the Sterling Street entrance, take Sterling Street to the first all-way stop at Dalewood. Turn right onto Dalewood then left at the lights onto Main Street West. Turn right at Longwood Street South. If you are parked on the West Campus, exit Cootes Drive to Main Street West, turn left at the lights and travel 1.5 kilometers along Main until Longwood Road. Turn right onto Longwood Road South. 

Parking Map available here.  

We recommend booking your stay at the Visitor’s Inn Hamilton, which is a 10-minute walk from McMaster Innovation Park.  

Location: 

649 Main St. West (Hwy 8 & 403)
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 1A2 

Phone/Fax: (905) 529-6979
Toll Free: 1-800-387-4620
[email protected]   

Registering as an individual 

  1. Open this registration link
  2. Register with a Zoom account or register with an email. Please note: you must register using the same email you will use to attend the conference. See instructions below for “Setting up your Zoom account” if you do not already have one.

*For internal McMaster attendees who wish to purchase multiple tickets for their department, please contact Claire Leighton ([email protected]) to arrange a chartfield transfer. 

Setting up your Zoom account 

  1. Sign-in to Zoom with your existing log-in credentials.  
    • To sign-in using your McMaster ID (or other University ID), click the SSO icon underneath the log-in. This will redirect you to type log-in using the domain on the next page. McMaster employees should use “McMaster”.   
  2. Select your ticket and click purchase.  
  3. You will be redirected to purchase the ticket through PayPal.  
  4. Follow the steps to check out.

Preparing for the conference 

  1. Add the Zoom Event link as a bookmark on your browser for easy access to the event hub page.  
  2. Check back on Monday, December 5 to begin building your conference schedule. 

Additional Helpful Resources 

Questions? 

Connect with us via email: Claire Leighton, [email protected] 

Introduction to Zoom Events 

During the conference, Zoom Events will be the hub of activities. The virtual lobby will open one week in advance of the conference and attendees can join the lobby by clicking the event link hub and clicking “Join Lobby.” From here you can create a profile for yourself and start building an itinerary of events you want to attend.  

Sessions 

  • View the entire schedule of activities by clicking the “Sessions” tab.  

Speakers 

  • Learn more about all of the speakers for the 2023 Innovations in Education Conference

Itinerary 

  • Create your own itinerary by opening the “Sessions” tab. 
  • Use the “Filter” function to sort sessions. 
  • Add sessions to your itinerary using the bookmark sessions button. 
  • Once you have built your itinerary, you can view your whole schedule by selecting the “Itinerary” tab in the navigation bar at the top of your screen. 

Exhibitors 

  • Learn more about our conference sponsors eCampus, Echol360, Lightboard Depot and Obsidian Screens.   

During the in-person day on Thursday, December 7, you will attend McMaster Innovation Park and can refer to the Zoom Events platform to view the schedule, read speaker bios and session descriptions. There will also be schedules posted on-site in-person.   

During the virtual day on Friday, December 8, you will join the conference link provided in your confirmation email at the start of programming and will participate in sessions throughout the day right from the Zoom Events platform (you can do this right from your Itinerary page.) 

Important Notes: 

  • Attendees must register with their own Zoom account and use the same account to join the event.  
  • We recommend opening Zoom prior to the conference and completing any recommended software upgrades or updates to prevent issues accessing the conference.  
  • If you’re able, the easiest way to connect is through single sign on (SSO) – click the SSO key icon and then enter your company domain – likely university.zoom.us – the system will connect you.  
  • For more information: 
  • Getting started as a Zoom Events Attendee  
  • If you encounter any technical issues during the conference, please contact  
  • Claire Leighton ([email protected]) or [email protected] (this email will be actively monitored throughout the conference). 

We appreciate your support in testing your conference access before the start of the conference. We have performed extensive testing on the platform and expect a smooth conference program; however, technical difficulties are always a risk. We ask for your patience and understanding as we work quickly to provide assistance to both presenters and attendees who may experience difficulties during the event.  

""

Keynote speaker: Ronald A. Beghetto

Ronald A. Beghetto is an internationally recognized scholar on creative thought and action in educational settings. He holds the Pinnacle West Presidential Chair at Arizona State University, USA, and is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association. Ron has been named one of the Top 200 University-Based Scholars in Education by Education Week.  More information about Ron can be found at www.ronaldbeghetto.com.

 

Keynote Session
December 7 (in-person):

Cultivating Creative Agency in the Face of Uncertainty, Risk, and Artificial Intelligence

We are honoured to present keynote speaker, Dr. Ronald A. Beghetto, who will delve into a critical discussion about cultivating creative agency in a time of great disruption. This session will explore how educators can empower students to embrace uncertainty, take calculated risks, and drive principled and positive creative outcomes for themselves and their communities.

Key Session Takeaways:

  • Empowering Students: Discover strategies to encourage students to embrace challenges and navigate uncertainties.
  • Embracing Productive Risks: Learn how to create environments where students feel empowered to take calculated risks in pursuit of creative outcomes.
  • AI as a Partner: Understand the role of Artificial Intelligence in fostering possibility thinking while preserving human agency.
  • Practical Insights: Gain actionable insights to help students navigate the challenges of the AI era while maintaining their creative autonomy.