Join us for a World Café conversation on the purpose of education

Education under a microscope — up close and personal.

That is the theme of a World Café conversation being organized by faculty and students. The event, taking place on Thursday, November 28, from 2 to 5 p.m., will encourage members of the Concordia community to examine the purpose of education.

Is it about preparing people for the workforce or molding and shaping responsible citizens? What role do students play in determining the intent of their education?

These are just some of the questions that will be addressed during the conversation, being co-sponsored by Concordia’s Centre for Teaching and Learning Services (CTLS) and the Sustainability Action Fund (SAF).

“This is an exciting initiative because it will bring our faculty members and students together to question the very purpose of education,” says Janette Barrington, acting director of the CTLS. “We want to engage Concordians in a meaningful dialogue about how we can support students in getting the most out of their education.”

Barrington says that CTLS is also teaming up with the SAF to co-sponsor the Second Annual Teaching Festival, The Power of Curriculum, to be held from February 5 to 7, 2014. The festival will offer workshops and presentations open to students and faculty.

For Mikayla Wujec, SAF’s chief executive officer, the November World Café is about finding new ways and innovative ways to increase the amount of sustainability content in Concordia’s curriculum.

“The World Café event is the first event where we hope to engage students, staff and faculty to think critically about their education,” she says. “We are inviting people to come join us in the conversation. Together, we will chat, reflect, discuss, scribble and doodle about we can create a sustainable learning society.”

Open to students, faculty and staff, admission is free and coffee and cookies will be served. However, space is limited so people are encouraged to arrive early.

When: Thursday, November 28, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Where: Room GN-M100, Grey Nuns Motherhouse, 1185 St-Mathieu St., Sir George Williams Campus