An annual event held in May which brings together engineering educators, interested professionals, and graduate students to explore topics relating to competency-based assessment. The structure is still evolving, but as we plan our third annual symposium we are building on successful elements of the first two including an introductory session available both in person and on-line for those new to the subject area, followed by a full day, main event that will include keynote speakers of interest and interactive workshop opportunities.
We welcome our francophone colleagues to the conference. Sessions will be delivered in English, with every effort being made to ensure the availability of a bilingual group facilitator for working group activities.
We look forward to welcoming you in May 2025.
Previous Symposiums
Second Annual CBA Symposium
The full day event on May 6, 2023 featured plenary speaker Keston Fulcher, who introduced participants to his Learning Improvement Process, offering encouragement to consider the concepts as they can be implemented at all levels. A guided scenario unfolded throughout the session.
Workshop facilitators Sean Maw and Jason Robert Tavares further explored the framework by highlighting relevant examples from their programs at University of Saskatchewan and Polytechnique Montréal, respectively. Interactive activities allowed participants to further connect the concepts to their own contexts. A reflective panel provided insights from the participant perspective, and discussions continued at the post event reception.
Organized pre- and post-event social gatherings at local restaurants to build connections within the engineering education community were once again well attended; moving forward these are now officially a symposium tradition.
First Annual CBA Symposium
The first event took place May 12, 2023, with a pre event CBA Primer session provided by Sean Maw based on the U of S experience. The CBA Symposium was a full day interactive workshop facilitated by Maw and Brian Frank. The goals were to guide participants through the principles of developing a CBA-based course, with a first pass complete, identify critical design factors and challenges in implementing CBA, and look for lessons from the health science community as delivered by speakers Eleni Katsoulas and Jordan Miller.
Organized pre- and post-event social gatherings intended to build connections within the engineering education community were well attended. The post event dinner included an unexpected bonus viewing of a Game 6 NHL playoff game being shown in Market Square.
