A4
Concurrent Session A4
Teaching with Technology and Navigating an Ever-Evolving Educational Landscape
Session Details
Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: DCC 709
From Law Student to Legal Technologist: Preparing Tomorrow’s Lawyers for an Innovation-Driven Legal Career
This session, "From Law Student to Legal Technologist: Preparing Tomorrow’s Lawyers for an Innovation-Driven Legal Career," will explore how legal education can evolve by integrating technology, experiential learning, and hands-on problem-solving. In my Advanced Legal Solutions (JUR 313) course at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, students move beyond theoretical legal analysis to build working prototype legal tech tools that address real-world Access to Justice challenges.
The session will highlight the teaching practice of guiding students through a design thinking and rapid prototyping process, where they identify legal problems, engage with potential users, and develop technology-based solutions. This hands-on approach shifts students from passive learners to active creators, giving them direct experience in legal innovation, problem-solving, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
This methodology is rooted in constructivist learning theory, particularly Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle, which emphasizes learning through concrete experiences, active experimentation, and reflective observation. Additionally, the Cognitive Apprenticeship Model informs the course structure by making expert problem-solving strategies visible and progressively transferring responsibility to students as they develop their prototypes. Project-Based Learning (PBL) is another key foundation, as students work in teams to address real-world legal issues with tangible outputs.
The impact on students has been profound. Many begin the course feeling outside of their comfort zones, uncertain about their ability to design and build technology-driven solutions. However, by the end of the term, they have not only created functional prototypes but have also developed a newfound confidence in their ability to drive innovation in the legal field. Their projects often exceed their own expectations, proving that legal education can prepare students to be problem-solvers, technologists, and access to justice advocates.
This session will offer practical strategies for integrating digital tools, legal tech, and hands-on innovation into legal education, providing attendees with insights on how to equip students with future-ready skills.
Presenters
Joe Marando is the Director of Legal Technology at a leading Canadian law firm and an instructor at Toronto Metropolitan University's Lincoln Alexander School of Law, where he teaches Advanced Legal Solutions, a course focused on legal innovation and access to justice. With a background in law and a passion for technology, Joe helps legal teams adopt smarter, more human-centered ways of working. He believes the future of law lies in empowering people—not replacing them—with tools that make legal services more accessible, efficient, and meaningful.
AI Driven Digital Assistants for Ethical Teaching & Learning
The presentation explores the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in educational environments. It emphasizes the integration of AI-driven tools that personalize learning experiences, automate administrative tasks such as grading and attendance, and enhance content engagement through the creation of quizzes, assignments, and interactive elements. By leveraging AI technologies, educators can foster creativity, improve curriculum design, and apply gamification techniques to create a more dynamic learning atmosphere.
The presentation highlights the potential of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT as valuable resources in education, assisting students in research, providing tailored feedback on writing, and breaking down complex concepts.
However, it also critically addresses the concerns associated with the adoption of Generative AI. Issues such as the propagation of misinformation, cognitive overload, diminished critical thinking skills among students, and the general reliability of AI-generated content are significant drawbacks that necessitate careful consideration.
In response to these challenges, the presentation offers recommendations for best practices in utilizing AI technologies within academic settings. These include promoting authentic learning experiences, ensuring academic integrity, and emphasizing the importance of critical engagement with AI tools among students. By outlining these strategies, the presentation aims to equip educators with practical insights for effectively integrating AI into their teaching methodologies while harnessing its potential to enhance learning outcomes.
Overall, the presentation provides a balanced assessment of AI's impact on education, recognizing its transformative possibilities while also cautioning against the risks of over-reliance on technology. By following the outlined best practices, educators can better navigate the complexities of AI integration in educational contexts, ultimately enriching the teaching and learning experience.
Presenters
Xavier Fernando is a Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering at TMU. He has (co)authored over 200 research articles, three books, many book chapters and patents. He is the Director of the TMU Intelligent Computing and Communication Lab and receiver over $5 Million in research grants. His area of research is wireless/optical communications, IoT and application of machine learning and artificial intelligence in various domains.
His work has won 30 awards and prizes so far including, number of IEEE awards, Professional Engineers Ontario Award (2016), IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society Prize (2010) and, Sarnoff Symposium Prize (2009). TMU nominated him for the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants award in which was a finalist.
He was an Associate Editor for the IEEE IOT Journal. He was an IEEE Communications Society Distinguished Lecturer and delivered over 100 invited talks. He has chaired the IEEE Toronto Section (2012-13) and IEEE Canada Central Area (2016-17) serving the IEEE Region-7 Board. He has been in the organizing/steering/technical program committees of numerous conferences and journals. He was a Member of Board of Governors of Ryerson University during 2011-12.
He is a program evaluator for ABET (USA). He was a visiting scholar at the Institute of Advanced Telecommunications (IAT), UK (2008) and MAPNET Fellow visiting Aston University, UK (2014). He completed his PhD at the University of Calgary, Canada in 2001.
Gap the Mind: Crafting a Future-Ready AI Literacy Curriculum for Creative School Students
The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into creative industries has exposed a critical gap in education: the lack of AI literacy curricula tailored to the unique needs of post-secondary creative school students. Existing initiatives often focus on technical skills, ethical considerations, or critical perspectives but fail to address the interdisciplinary socio-technical demands of creative industries. This session introduces a comprehensive AI literacy framework that integrates creativity, critical thinking, and future readiness to equip students with the necessary technical and soft skills for a constantly evolving professional landscape.
Building upon experiential learning, constructivist pedagogy, and Paulo Freire’s critical pedagogy, this research emphasizes AI literacy as a means of empowerment rather than passive adoption. A content analysis of AI literacy courses and industry reports informs the development of an evidence-based curriculum featuring four key modules: AI Fundamentals, Critical Thinking & AI, Responsible AI Use, and Creative AI Application. This interdisciplinary approach ensures students can critically assess AI’s impact, co-create responsibly, and adapt to ongoing technological change.
Attendees will leave with practical, evidence-based strategies to integrate AI literacy into their teaching, equipping students with lifelong learning skills crucial for adapting to and leading within AI-driven industries.
Presenters
Claudia Gordilho is an interdisciplinary professional with a diverse background in law, digital media, and 15 years in the fashion industry. Passionate about creativity, critical thinking, and education, she explores how technology can empower creative processes while critically engaging with their impacts. She is dedicated to empowering creative students to embrace change and actively shape the future, fostering innovation and social impact in creative fields.
