Lansdowne Seminars
In 1978, the University of Victoria received funds from the provincial government for the sale of the University's former campus on Lansdowne Road, which was then to be further developed as the site of Camosun College. These funds were invested in trust, with the revenue dedicated to a special program of distinguished academic appointments. The criteria used in the selection of Lansdowne visitors are that they must be leading scholars with a national or international reputation and must be capable of interacting positively with students and faculty.
Pre-eminent academics invited to visit our department as Lansdowne scholars typically stay from two to five days and deliver one public lecture of broad interest and one or two seminars of a more specialized nature. They are also expected to be available to meet with individual, or small groups of, faculty and students.
2025-2026 Lansdowne Lecture
| Time and Location | Speaker | Title | Abstract |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 12:30-1:50pm DSB C128 |
Philip Oreopoulos | Computer-Assisted Learning in the Real World: How Khan Academy Influences Student Math Learning | Computer-Assisted Learning (CAL) offers an affordable way to implement a mastery learning approach in the classroom. However, while experimental research suggests CAL can enhance student outcomes, such findings often rely on experimental conditions not easily replicated in ordinary classroom settings (e.g., opt-in participation, extensive training and support, and high CAL usage targets). To assess the real-world impact of CAL, we draw on a large three-year panel of administrative data covering over 200,000 students in school districts that licensed Khan Academy's MAP accelerator, a program designed to support math learning. To identify causal effects, we exploit within-teacher and within-school changes in average classroom CAL practice time - a strategy that yields precise, policy-relevant estimates even at modest usage levels. We find that a classroom with 6.6 hours of annual Khan Academy practice (about 11 minutes per week) experiences a +0.031 SD gain in math test score performance compared to no practice. For classrooms with higher usage levels, we find approximately linear gains, with projected effects rising to +0.085 SD at the recommended 30 minute per week. Higher-achieving students benefit most, in part because they spend more time on CAL and progress through more skills than lower-performing peers. Teachers might reduce achievement gaps and boost overall gains by encouraging more productive use of the platform (focused on skill mastery) - especially among struggling students. |
|
Friday, September 26, 2025 3:00-4:20pm DSB C116 |
Philip Oreopoulos | Personalizing Education: Evidence, Possibilities, and Challenges, for Using Computer Assisted Learning and AI to Accelerate Learning | This presentation examines how computer-assisted learning is evolving with the introduction of generative AI and AI-powered tutors, with a focus on the implications for evidence-based education policy. Drawing on recent studies, I highlight both the promise and the limitations of AI in personalizing instruction, adapting feedback, and expanding learning opportunities at scale. Beyond the technical potential, the talk addresses the behavioral and institutional challenges of adoption, including how to motivate students to use these tools effectively and safeguard equity. The presentation aims to provide an evidence-based discussion around how technology might be used to achieve more personalized and effective learning outcomes. |
Past Lansdowne Lectures
| Date | Speaker | Title |
|---|---|---|
|
Thurs. Oct 3, 2024 |
(UC Davis) | |
|
Thurs. Sep 28, 2023 |
(UBC) | The Causes and Consequences of Zero-Sum Thinking |
|
Wed. Sept 7, 2022 |
(McGill) | |
|
Thurs. Feb 27, 2020 |
(Nottingham) | Selling the Public Good: Charities and the Private Provision of Public Goods |
|
Wed. Jan 23, 2019 |
(LSE) | |
|
Wed. Mar 1, 2017 |
(Cornell) | |
|
Thurs. Apr 4, 2013 |
(Yale) | The Role of Economics and the Economist in Competition Policy |
|
Thurs. Mar 1, 2012 |
(Stanford) | Social Networks and Economics: Lessons from Rural India |
|
Thurs. Jan 20, 2011 |
(Stanford) | In Praise of Weak Incentives |