Join us for the final episode of this semester in which we discover how two college teachers successfully integrated foundational theory with authentic, hands-on experience. Dayna Morrow and April Hayward share how authentic learning activities are helping them increase student engagement, understanding, empathy, and critical thinking.

Driven by the need to capture student attention and prepare them for the job market, they interwove practical activities such as virtual reality experiences that simulate visual impairments, physical role-playing, and community visits into their curriculum.

We discuss the value of authentic learning activities in a digital age, and their value in developing essential skills like empathy, communication, and critical thinking. Plus, we discuss how these innovative strategies can be incorporated into any discipline.

About our Guests

April Hayward has been teaching at Vanier College since2016, teaches in the Special Education Techniques (SET) program. A proud Vaniergraduate from the same program (formerly Special Care Counselling), Aprilstarted her career as a specialized educator, working primarily with olderadults in day programs, long term care homes, and in-home respite programs. Shewent on to earn a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Psychology and WorldReligions), followed by a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at McGill University. In2009, inspired by her work with older adults and their families and caregivers,along with her leadership and advocacy roles in community organizations, shewent back to school to complete her Master’s degree in Social Work. Her thesisfocused on end-of-life care conditions in long-term care homes. Her desire toteach comes from her passion for improving conditions and outcomes forvulnerable populations. She is inspired every day by creative and dedicatedstudents who, through the SET program, are making a difference in theircommunities. Outside of her work, April is a proud mom, amateur runner, foodenthusiast, and can usually be found immersed in a community project and talkingabout her dog.

Dayna Morrow is the Department Coordinator for Special Education Techniques (SET) and has been teaching at Vanier for 17 years. She’s worked as the SET internship coordinator and spent two years as a member of the Vanier Student Success Working Group while also volunteering on several college committees. Prior to, and throughout her time at Vanier, Dayna worked in health and social services in private, public and nonprofit organizations with older adults, families and youth. Dayna has degrees in Applied Human Sciences(Therapeutic Recreation) from Concordia University, and Education Counselling Psychology (Family Life Education) from McGill University. She is also a graduate from Special Education Techniques (formerly SCC) being a proud Vanier alumnus. Outside of Vanier, Dayna enjoys time spent with family, volunteering at the Board of a local community organization, taking long walks & paddleboarding at her cottage in the great outdoors.