Meet Vania Chan of UBC Okanagan

Contributed by Gina Bennett, College of the Rockies
Tell us a bit about where you work and what you do.
I work at the Centre for Teaching and Learning at UBC’s Okanagan campus. I support instructors with technology they might use for teaching purposes (for example, BlackBoard Learn, iclickers, TurnItIn, peer evaluation software). I consult with instructors on how the technology would fit with their teaching objectives and help them as they learn to master using it.
How long been involved in teaching and Learning and ed technology?
At the university, about 5 years. Before that I was involved with user training at a software company. Stretching back 15 years, I worked in a research group that developed video games to encourage kids to study math and science. I learned a lot of fun math puzzles during that time!
What’s one thing you really love about the work you do?
Meeting a variety of people around campus. I love going to a professor’s office and seeing how their workspace is decorated. Often they will have an artifact collected from their field work or maybe artwork created by one of their students. Everyone has stories and I love hearing them!
How long have you been a member of ETUG?
5 years
What do you like best about this community and its activities?
I get to meet people who do similar work around the province. Hearing success stories and how other people approach teaching and learning has been the best professional development. And it’s so nice being able to keep in touch with people and see them again twice a year.
Do you have a favorite ETUG memory?
I presented for the first time last year! It added a new dimension to the ETUG conference for me and I highly recommend it!
What would you like to ETUG provide more of in terms of benefits/value to members? Any input or help you want to ask members to provide?
I really enjoy the two-day conferences each spring. It allows for great networking.
Do you have any special interests/hobbies?
Photography, hiking, and snowshoeing.
Anything special you what to ask or share with members?
I’m one of the organizers of a mentoring program for female undergraduate students in science and engineering. If anyone knows of professional female scientists or engineers in the Okanagan who want to be mentors, please let me know!