Facilitators:
- Belinda Jin, Learning Technology Specialist, Simon Fraser University Continuing Studies
- Ezra Liu, Learning Design and Development Specialist, School of Continuing Studies, University of Toronto
University continuing education (CE) sits at the intersection of professional practice and academic teaching. Unlike traditional academic departments, CE programs rely heavily on learning designers and subject matter experts (SMEs). Learning designers design effective online courses, develop assessments in the era of AI, and build high quality curriculums in collaboration with SME instructors who possess limited post-secondary experience while simultaneously balancing multiple professional roles.
Overcoming these challenges require strong collaboration, practical strategies, and flexible approaches to achieve successful program development. However, CE professionals often work in isolation within their own institutions. In this interactive session, we invite learning designers, instructional designers, curriculum designers, educational developers, and anyone working in the CE programming space to step beyond institutional silos through shared conversations about their CE context.
Drawing on a cross-institutional collaboration between a learning designer at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies and a learning technology specialist at Simon Fraser University Continuing Studies, we will share practical approaches to managing SMEs, supporting instructor development, and leading program development projects. We will highlight cross-institutional similarities and differences and identify common educational technology and learning design challenges. Participants will begin by reflecting on their own experiences supporting SMEs before moving into small-group discussions to share experiences, challenges, and successes. The session will close by exploring the potential vision for a stronger CE professional community of practice and identifying a concrete pathway towards an ongoing cross-institutional support network.
Date: December 1, 2026
Time: 1:30 – 2:30 pm ET
Moderator: TBD
Leads:
- Christie McGaghran, Program Manager, McMaster Continuing Education, McMaster University
- Nathan Cheney, Executive Director, Professional and Continuing Studies, Brock University