LearnX 2024: Agenda

Event Program

January 9 | 9:00 am -  4:30 pm (ET) - Simultaneous interpretation available for all sessions

The future of learning is evolving at a rapid pace, requiring learning practitioners, such as instructional designers, trainers, facilitators and other learning leaders, to stay ahead of the latest trends, demands and technologies in the industry.

This year’s event, with the theme of ‘Future-Focused Learning and Development,’ will feature public and private sector speakers, who will share their real-world stories to highlight the importance of designing, developing and implementing learning with a focus on diversity, equitability, inclusivity and accessibility. Additionally, speakers will highlight how leveraging evaluation data and artificial intelligence improves learning outcomes.

By the end of this event, participants will be able to describe current and emerging learning trends, apply best practices and will have the opportunity to foster valuable networking connections with peers and contacts from across the public service and the learning industry.

This event is hosted by the Heads of Learning Forum and the Canada School of Public Service.

9:00 am - 9:30 am (ET)

Welcome Remarks and Land Acknowledgement by Master of Ceremonies

• Kony Trudel, CTDP,  Acting Director, Research, integration and Evaluation Division, Canada Revenue Agency
• Alan Daly, CTDP, Technical Advisor - Training, Shared Services Canada

Activity to kickstart the day

• Moe Poirier, Founding Partner, Shift Facilitation

9:30 am - 10:30 am (ET)

Opening KeyNote Address

Employment equity, diversity and inclusion (EEDI) is a government-wide corporate therefore such an important theme for this year’s LearnX!

Join us for our amazing opening keynote session with Tina Varughese. She will cleverly tackle this hot and intricate topic, in today’s complex climate. Using her unique sense of humour and energy, she’ll outline common challenges that organizations face in adopting and promoting EEDI. She’ll further describe, weaved in her own stories, how we can improve EEDI in our learning projects.

• Tina Varughese, Diversity and Inclusion Guest Speaker, tWorks

10:45 am - 11:45 am (ET) - Concurrent session 1

Accessibility

Delve into the forefront of inclusive design with our accessibility panel. Engage in insightful discussions on best practices, emerging trends, and real world challenges in creating accessible learning experiences.

Our expert panelists will explore key topics such as, universal design, learner experience considerations and the ever evolving landscape of accessibility standards. They will further examine the delicate balance between technology and content in accessible training, cultivating an accessible mindset, accountability in accessibility reporting, and the pivotal role of empathy in creating truly accessible learning experiences. Don't miss out on this dynamic conversation shaping and advancing the future of accessible learning.

Panelists:

• Carolyn Wood, Supervisor, Supervisor of Learning and Development, Health Canada
• Shawn Thompson, Digital Accessibility Technical Advisor, Shared Services Canada  
• Alison Szawiola, Senior Project Officer, Free Agent, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat  

Moderator:

• Julie Bélisle-Boutet, Manager, Digital Accessibility in Learning, User Experience Directorate, Canada School of Public Service

10:45 am - 11:45 am (ET) - Concurrent session 2

Digital Learning Design: Agile Learning Experience Design (ALXD) at the Canada School of Public Service Digital Academy

Interactive Session

As learning designers, we recognize the challenges that modern public servants face in juggling multiple responsibilities. In our commitment to fostering continuous learning and delivering value to our learners, we are trying to adapt our learning design approaches to meet the needs of our learners. Join us for some practical insights on what a digital mindset looks like in learning design. Actively engage in reflective discussions with your colleagues about digital learning design practices.

• Éliane Dorval, Senior Learning Designer
• Kimberley Hutchinson, Senior Learning Experience Designer
• Dorcas Kashiba, Learning Experience Designer
• Elissa Allaw, Senior Learning Experience Designer
• Emily Canie, Learning Experience Designer

10:45 am - 11:45 am (ET) - Concurrent session 3

Data Literacy Fundamentals for Learning

Data literacy is the ability to read, write, communicate, and persuade with data. Why would learning professionals need data literacy in the age of AI? Because AI feeds on data. Before we start prompt engineering all kinds of answers, we need to make sure we speak data, the language of impact. While we don’t need to be perfect, we do need to practice. This session is about practicing speaking data through critical thinking while analyzing the dashboard of a simulated pilot project. The session is built using a fake data generator to make the simulated project data realistic. After discussing potential biases, mistakes, and misconceptions, you'll walk away with the power of the 4C’s (curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and culture) and access to a digital resource to continue your journey online after the conference.

• Zsolt Olah, Senior Learning Technologist, Amazon

11:45 am - 12:30 pm (ET) - Lunch and meet

Come and meet some of the dynamic people leading Heads of Learning Forum (HoLF) to hear from them what HoLF does and get their perspective on what they see as critical to future focused learning and development.

Panelists:

• Jean-Pierre Rousseau, Director, Faculty Management and Learning and Design Support, Canada School of Public Service
• Marcia Johnson, Director, Enterprise Learning Academy, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• Julie Stevenson, Manager, Enterprise Learning Academy, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• Simon Paré, Director, Learning, Public Safety
• Elizabeth Priest, Manager, LMS and eLearning Services, Shared Services Canada

Moderator:

• Alan Daly, CTDP, Technical Advisor - Learning, Shared Services Canada

12:45 pm - 1:45 pm (ET) - Concurrent session 1

Social Engagement/Facilitation & Virtual/Blended Delivery… Where to start?

The world of learning is evolving with the adoption of new technologies and diverse approaches in how to facilitate in today’s hybrid world. Join this panel where facilitation experts will explore new and innovative techniques being employed for learners and learn how new technologies will disrupt traditional approaches.

The panel discussion will include an interactive Q&A session allowing attendees to engage directly with the panelists.

Panelists:

• Hugh King, Human Resources Advisor, Corporate Learning Design and Delivery, Health Canada
• Connie Holt, Senior Learning Advisor, Canada Revenue Agency
• Alan Magnan, Director, Master Trainer, Langevin

Moderator:

• Moe Poirier, Founding Partner, Shift Facilitation

12:45 pm - 1:45 pm (ET) - Concurrent session 2

Inclusive Practices: Where to Start?

Interactive Session

Diversity is the norm, not the exception. We should design learning with this principle in mind. But why and how? And what do "inclusion" and "diversity" mean in the context of adult learning? In this session, we will attempt to answer these questions by proposing avenues for reflection and action, as well as resources to explore these themes in greater depth. Using real-life experiences, we'll identify challenges and make suggestions for more caring, compassionate and inclusive ways forward in a learning environment.  

• Maryse Sullivan, University of Ottawa

12:45 pm - 1:45 pm (ET) - Concurrent session 3

Augmenting Your Everyday L&D with AR

Review the tools, techniques, and best practices to enhance your everyday L&D designs to include augmented reality. You will examine multiple learning design scenarios and explore best practices on how AR can enhance them. You will review common AR development tools and techniques and explore how they can be used to supplement your blended learning approach. You will experience examples of AR enhancements and then apply that knowledge to build on your own.

• Betty Dannewitz, Immersive Experience Designer and Learning Solutions Architect, Blanchard

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (ET) - Concurrent session 1

Impactful DEI training through experiential learning

Interactive Session

How do you advance learning on EDI while also keeping inclusion at the heart of your design? Learn how the Centre for Learning in Intercultural Effectiveness and International Assistance Policy, part of the Canadian Foreign Service Institute (CFSI) at Global Affairs Canada addresses this challenge in this interactive presentation that will explore the intricacies of designing effective learning experiences that support Global Affairs Canada’s EDI commitments.

• Sarah Power, Senior Learning Advisor, Global Affairs Canada
• Alejandro Bascope-Alipaz, Learning Advisor, Global Affairs Canada

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (ET) - Concurrent session 2

INNOVA: Supporting innovation in French-language education

Learn about the INNOVA project, a space for research, training, experimentation and co-creation in advanced technopedagogy. INNOVA is dedicated to French-language education in a minority setting, and is open to the entire educational community, from kindergarten to university.

• Hubert Lalande, University of Ottawa

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (ET) - Concurrent session 3

AI in Learning: Building an Ethical System and the Future of Work

In an era where AI is rapidly transforming the workplace, HR and learning professionals stand at the forefront of this revolution. Join Megan Torrance and Josh Cavalier in a comprehensive one-hour presentation exploring the seamless integration of AI and Learning through the Human Resources AI Ecosystem and the W.I.S.E. A.T. A.I. models. This session will delve into strategies for harnessing AI to enhance HR functions while adhering to ethical standards. Discover how to apply these models in your organization to achieve a balanced approach to AI deployment, ensuring inclusivity, security, and transparency.

• Megan Torrence, Founder and CEO, TorranceLearning
• Josh Cavalier, Founder, JoshCavalier.ai

3:00 pm - 3:20 pm (ET)

Welcome back with MC and closing activity

• Moe Poirier, Founding Partner, Shift Facilitation

3:20 pm - 4:20 pm (ET)

Closing Panel:  Exploring upskilling and the evolution of workplace learning in a complex environment

In this dynamic closing keynote panel discussion on upskilling and the future of workplace learning, leaders, visionaries, and experts within the Government of Canada, and in the private sector of the learning industry gather to discuss the transformative landscape of professional development and the imperative for organizations to adapt to emerging trends. This panel discussion will explore the challenges and opportunities associated with upskilling in the rapidly evolving workplace.  Join them as they discuss, dissect, and delve into the need for a proactive approach to learning and development, the importance of embracing a culture of learning, and the value in advancing workplace skills to thrive in the future of work.

Panelists:  

• Denise Gomes, Acting Director General, Strategic Engagement and Service Delivery (SESD), Shared Services Canada
• Sae Schatz, Founder and CEO, The Knowledge Forge  
• Stefanie Couture, Partner, Workforce Consulting, Price Waterhouse Coopers 

Moderator:

• Aaron Feniak, Executive Director, Human Resources Council, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

4:20 pm - 4:30 pm (ET)

Closing remarks

Offering highlights of the day

• Kony Trudel, CTDP,  Acting Director, Research, integration and Evaluation Division, Canada Revenue Agency
• Alan Daly, CTDP, Technical Advisor-Learning, Shared Services Canada