Scholarship
I undertake qualitative and quantitative studies of online communities – primarily online learning communities. My qualitative work has investigated how online learners ‘perform’ their ethnic and cultural identities, with the goal of identifying ways in which cultural differences must be considered when teaching online. My quantitative work seeks ways of making best use of LMS data to review learning design and/or support learners.
See my related research and publications
Learning design
I design teach and facilitate online and hybrid courses. I also design training and materials to help educators teach more effectively in online learning environments. Examples include:
NP-EDGE: Genetics and genomics for nurse practitioners (2025- )
A flexible, innovative, online learning resource for nurse practitioner students, designed to integrate genomic concepts into the NP curriculum. We used Open Moodle and best-practices in accessible learning design to provide engaging learning material. NP-EDGE consists of two core modules and eight clinical modules, which present material with a genomics lens. To learn more, see: https://blogs.ubc.ca/npedge/
Integrating Indigenous pedagogies into online learning (2021-2023)
This web-based resource guides users through the elements of the 5Rs model, and offers ideas, themes, resources and example activities that can be included in the design of online courses. Short videos offer insights and suggestions from Indigenous and non-Indigenous colleagues engaged in this work.
Consortium on analytics for data-driven decision-making (CanD3): Developing talent for population analytics in aging societies (2020-2026)
Together with colleague Amélie Quesnel-Vallée (McGill University) and multiple institutional and organizational partners, and with funding from a SSHRC Partnership Grant, I contributed to the design, development, and teaching, of this innovative training program whose goal was to equip the next generation of academic and applied population researchers with the knowledge, skills, and networks to support data-driven decision-making in aging societies.
MET Practicum: ETEC 581 (2020 – )
Experiential learning opportunities such as practicums are intentional applied and reflective educational opportunities that “highlight the power of experience” in the learning process (Roberts, 2012). The MET practicum offers students an opportunity to complete a valuable experiential learning project as part of their MET degree, through placement with an academic or community partner engaged in eLearning development, educational technology integration or other work relevant to educational technology.
- Planning and Managing eLearning: ETEC 520 (2020 – )
Originally developed by Dr. Tony Bates, this course is focused on managing and planning eLearning in educational institutions and organizations, and is aimed at people who have, or hope to have, management and leadership responsibilities in this sector.
- Understanding Learning Analytics: ETEC 543 (2019 – )
Contemporary educators and educational technology specialists need to be able to understand and think critically about the possible advantages and disadvantages of learning analytics in different contexts. This course is aimed at a scholar practitioner audience and investigates LA in the context of other data-focused approaches to educational change.
- Research Methodology in Education: ETEC 500 (2018 – )
ETEC 500 is a course about education research for education practitioners. It emphasizes critical thinking about educational research, and is an important introductory skills course.
- Culture and Communication in Virtual Learning Environments: ETEC 542 (2013 – )
Developed in collaboration with Yael Tagerud of Linnaeus University in Sweden, and Dr. Hyoshin Kim, this is an elective course in the University of British Columbia’s Masters in Educational Technology online graduate program. First offered in spring 2013, it introduces learners to theoretical frameworks and existing research that considers the potential impact of culture on communications and learning in virtual learning environments.
- Foundations of Global Citizenship (hybrid): HUMN 103 (2016) – College of Interdisciplinary Studies, Royal Roads University, Victoria, Canada
- Perspectives on Global Citizenship: SOCI 430B (2005-2013) – Department of Sociology, UBC Faculty of Arts
- Cell Biology 1: Structural Basis: BIOL 200 (2008) – UBC Faculty of Science
- Effective Online Teaching and Facilitation (2009-2010) – UBC Continuing Studies
- UBC Certificate in International Development (multiple short online courses) (2004-2005) – UBC Continuing Studies
Leah P. Macfadyen 