Reimagining digital innovation for teaching and learning through the ABCs of intention: Awareness, Betterment and Care.
LDDI’s 2026 theme, Intention, aims to foster conscientious approaches to digital innovation and technology integration. Our goal is to challenge the fast-paced, unconscious, uncritical use of technology in education. Through the ABCs framework, we identify three core principles of intentionality:
Awareness
Build knowledge and understanding of digital technologies through evidence-based inquiry, critical thinking and mindfulness to improve pedagogy and practice.
Betterment
Empower educators and students to make a positive impact and build a better future in education and beyond, for this generation and the next.
Care
Take responsibility for the impact that our technology use has on people and the planet; be mindful of how we integrate digital tools and practices in teaching and learning.
Activities and challenges designed to inspire thoughtful and intentional engagement with technology.
Our rotating campaign of activities invites educators and students to engage with technology through critical thinking, intentional action and thoughtful reflection. Each activity is grounded in one of the ABCs of intention — starting with Awareness — and can be used to spark in-class exploration of technology-related topics.
November 2025: Technology for Betterment Community Board
Our Technology for Betterment Community board invited Faculty of Education students and TEC Expo 2025 attendees to reflect on how technology has made a positive or negative difference in their lives and education. Their responses helped our team explore how technology shapes learning and wellbeing in our community. Participants were asked to reflect on the following questions:
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- How can we use technology more mindfully to promote both learning and wellbeing?
- Has technology helped you connect, learn, or find balance — or sometimes caused stress or distraction?
- In what ways has technology supported your personal growth or academic success?
Events and Initiatives
Cultivating Empathy Through Digital Storytelling
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 | 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
This Viewpoints panel discussion explored how digital storytelling can cultivate empathy, deepen understanding and inspire meaningful change across educational and community contexts. Panelists shared insights from their research and practice in areas such as ecological storytelling, immersive audio experiences, multimodal literacies, and community-based digital narratives. Together, they addressed critical considerations including ethical storytelling, digital equity and authentic human connection, guided by the ABCs of Intention: Awareness, Betterment and Care.
Studio B Podcast
New episodes released throughout 2025–26
Recorded in LDDI’s Studio B, this podcast explores the evolving role of technology in education, with a special focus on artificial intelligence (AI), ethics and innovative approaches to technology. Hosted by members of the Learning Design & Digital Innovation team, each episode sparks conversation around emerging tools and the future of teaching and learning. Designed for the Faculty of Education community and beyond, Studio B invites listeners to reflect, experiment and learn about what’s possible in technology-enhanced education. Subscribe to the LDDI YouTube channel to be notified when new episodes are released.
Partnerships
Dr. Kristiina Kumpulainen, LLED
LDDI is proud to partner with Dr. Kristiina Kumpulainen and the Department of Language and Literacy Education (LLED) to co-create activities and events for our 2026 Year of Intention.
Contribute
If you have an idea for a project or partnership exploring intention and intentional uses of technology, we would love to hear from you. Contact us to share your ideas and to learn more about our In-Focus initiatives.
Previous In-Focus Themes
Explore our previous In-Focus themes below:
In-Focus 2025: Creativity
In-Focus 2024: Climate Justice
In-Focus 2023: EDID