Online Learning News - April 14, 2021

Learn What Faculty Are Saying About the
Near-Future of Higher Education

Thursday, April 22, 2021
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Register Now!

Faculty across Canada have been sharing their hopes, aspirations, fears and anxieties about the future of higher education in this country — and what they have to say might surprise you.

This one-hour, interactive webinar touches on numerous aspects of higher education in Canada from the perspective of faculty at our post-secondary institutions.

Topics include:

• Concerns about funding
• Hopes around digital learning and equity
• Questions around micro-credentials and collaboration
• The optimist’s view of what higher education can be and how it can potentially serve Canadian society in broader ways

Our Host:

Improving Digital Accessibility 

A Mohawk College Innovation

Professor Jennifer Jahnke is leading the rapid growth in Mohawk College’s innovative Accessible Media Production program. The program has many unique features, including a curriculum using the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which provide an opportunity for all learners to succeed. Scaffolded course sequencing, a capstone course with an experiential learning component, and extensive industry partnerships contribute to the unique nature of the program. 

Professor Jennifer Jahnke
Coordinator, Accessible Media Production Program
Mohawk College

Today!

Learn How to Manage Technology to Support Mental Health and Well-Being  

Wednesday, April 14, 2021
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (ET)

Register Now!

Dr. Aga Palalas, an expert in the field of digital wellness with years of experience teaching online, draws on her research and shares practical insights to help educators establish healthy digital habits.

In this engaging and interactive webinar, you’ll gain a better understanding of how to:

• Manage the use of technology in a way that supports the health and well-being of faculty and students
• Optimize digital wellness to maintain mental health
• Use mindfulness practices to support the well-being

Our Host:

Search Contact North | Contact Nord’s Directory
of Teaching and Learning Centres in Ontario
and Across Canada

Access the resources of 80+ teaching and learning centres at colleges and universities in Ontario and across Canada. These centres support faculty and instructors by offering resources, tools, coaching and training to enhance teaching and learning strategies, assessment practices and student interaction.

Search the Directory

Discover the 10 Developments Shaping Colleges and Universities Post-COVID-19

1. Modular, stackable learning
2. 365 admissions
3. Mode choice
4. Access to technology
5. Learner mobility
6. Assessment on demand
7. Competency-based learning for skills
8. Collaborative programming
9. Strong focus on Indigenous education and learning
10. Enabling the green transition

Get the full story

Read Dr. Tony Bates’ Blog Post

In this blog post, Dr. Bates comments on the report: Johnson, N., Seaman, J. and Veletsianos, G. (2021) Teaching During a Pandemic: Spring Transition, Fall Continuation, Winter Evaluation Bay View Analytics: Oakland CA, March 22, pp. 53.

This article combines three Pulse reports conducted in April, August, and December, and looks at changes in higher education teaching in the USA during the pandemic. This report examines the nature and magnitude of the changes in teaching and learning, from faculty and academic administrators’ points of view.

Read Contact North I Contact Nord Research Associate Dr. Tony Bates’ blog post:

Teaching during a pandemic: a longitudinal study

This Week's Must-Read Book on Online Learning

Universal Methods of Design – 125 Ways to Research Complex Problems, Develop Innovative Ideas and Design Effective Solutions

By Beth Martin and Bruce Hanington  (2019)

This beautifully produced collection of design ideas was not intended as an instructional designers’ treasure chest, but that is what it is. Digging into this collection of design ideas, there’s plenty here for a series of activities, projects and powerful processes for student engagement. There are 125 ideas in one place. It’s a gold mine. Have it by your keyboard next time you start designing a course!

Browse all Must-Read Books

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