PDTCA 2025

What do we mean by artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning? What are the potential impacts on education and society, and how do we talk to students about all of this? In this (session or panel discussion) we will explore these topics, try out some examples, and talk about the potentials and pitfalls of AI and related technologies.

In recent years we have seen a rise in the use of artificial intelligence in our everyday lives: from machine learning algorithms that screen resumes for job postings, to bots that can converse with one another. In this workshop, participants will explore the pitfalls of artificial intelligence when it comes to algorithms responsible for making decisions impacting lives, and what our responsibilities are to ensure our models are ethical.

From its inception, Islam has transformed the status of women and paved the way for female leadership to grow and flourish. Did you know that the first University in the world was founded by Fatima al-Fihri, a Muslim woman? Or that Sabiha Gökçen, the first female combat pilot in the world, was Muslim? Were you aware that the early spread of Islam was funded by Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, the first Muslim woman? Please join me for a walk through history as we explore the contributions of Muslim women in all fields of life, including Mathematics, Literature, Politics, Science, Education, and more. We will look at the contributions of Muslim women around the world from early Islamic civilization, through the generations, until today. This session will leave you with a foundational understanding of what Islam, unmarred by the media and mainstream society, really says about women. We will highlight some of the entrepreneurs, warriors, educators, and scholars who forged the path for future generations to walk with dignity, pride and ambition.

As a visual art senior high specialist for 20 years I had developed selection of art assignments that had proved to be particularly successful. One of these, the "Conte Still Life Drawing" assignment was particularly successful. I found this assignment dealt with several, often challenging, drawing concepts, including "working progressively from the most general to specific details", the use of values to give the illusion of three dimensionality and perhaps most importantly "drawing what you see - not what you know."

Participants prepare their drawing paper by creating a grey "ground" with the drawing conte' (similar to charcoal) then set up 3 - 4 "still life" objects (vases, mugs etc.) then dramatically light them with the table lamps.
Using the white erasers, participants draw their objects in big basic shapes. Then, participants will look for the basic highlight areas of their set up and erase those areas on their prepared drawing paper. That done, participants draw in the darker areas of their set up. Then, they will draw in any finer details using their conte' sticks and erasers.
One of the intents of the lesson is to create a convincing "range of tones" from light to dark to appear "3 Dimensional" and not Flat - 2 Dimensional.

I had presented this assignment to the Art 10 students but have found it to be of value to students of all ages and prior experience. In March of this year I presented this assignment to members of the "Calgary association of Lifelong Learners" and received a most positive response and was very pleased with the resulting drawings from the group.

I would be bringing in all of the items needed including: table lamps (to "highlight" the still life objects), drawing materials - cartridge paper, conte' drawing sticks and cheap white erasers. Although the materials are inexpensive, I would ask participants to either prepay $10.00 for materials or simply "pass a hat" to compensate me.