January 4, 2024

The Canadian Digital Learning Research Association has released its annual 2023 Pan-Canadian Report on Digital Learning Trends. The report draws on administrator, faculty, and staff perspectives on a variety of digital learning topics, including learning modalities, teaching and learning technologies, and teaching competencies and preferences. Among its key findings, the report suggests that there is a continued demand for flexible learning experiences—such as hybrid course delivery—and that student needs and preferences for delivery models tend to be influenced by factors such as competing professional and personal priorities and the nature of their program. They also highlighted the pressing challenges posed by faculty burnout and academic integrity issues.

Memorial University has delayed the start of in-person classes at its Grenfell Campus to next week in response to an ongoing cybersecurity incident. Classes were initially scheduled to begin today, but these plans changed after the university became aware of a cybersecurity incident at Grenfell. Memorial has notified law enforcement and is currently working with cybersecurity experts to determine the cause and scope of the incident. As a precaution, information technology services at the Marine Institute have also been temporarily shut down. Update – Jan 4: Memorial University has provided an update pertaining to the cybersecurity incident experienced last week on its Grenfell Campus. The university indicated that the IT issues have been contained and that the IT services at its Marine Institute have been fully restored.

The Government of Nova Scotia is spending $16.2M to help postsecondary students pay for educational resources, including textbooks, and other school-related bills. A one-time, needs-based grant of $1,350 will be credited to almost 12,000 postsecondary students across the province. “I know from talking to students that affordability is a key issue for them,” said NS Minister of Advanced Education Brian Wong. “I have [also] heard from students that the cost of books can be a real challenge, and I’m proud to take action on solutions that will make a real difference.”

Sheridan College and the City of Brampton have launched the Brampton Charter for Improving the International Student Experience. inSauga and the Bramptonist report that the charter’s goals touch on ethical recruitment standards, academic and wrap-around supports, and work opportunities. The charter also contains guiding principles such as appreciating the complexity of international student experiences, respecting the diversity international students contribute to postsecondary education, and taking action to address gaps. “This is truly community work, done in partnership with over 35 organizations, to ensure international students have the opportunity to thrive in the classroom and beyond,” said Sheridan President Dr Janet Morrison.

The Collège Communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick will receive $3.5M from the Government of New Brunswick for the planning and design phases of a modernization project taking place at Bathurst campus. Through this project, CCNB will replace its Youghall Drive campus building with a new one on Collège Street and modernize the institution’s existing facilities. “We are very pleased with this vote of confidence from the provincial government,” said CCNB CEO Pierre Zundel. “It is an important first step towards modernizing our Bathurst facilities, not only to remedy an aging infrastructure, but also to create a catalyst for innovation and training that will benefit the development of the region and New Brunswick as a whole.”

Both McGill University and Concordia University have created new awards for out-of-province students in order to offset the upcoming provincial tuition increase, which comes into force this fall. McGill will launch the Canada Award, valued at $3K, for incoming out-of-province undergraduate students in select programs; the award is guaranteed for up to four years. Concordia will offer the Canada Scholars Award to out-of-province students; the value of the award will range from $1.5K to $4K, dependent on the student’s admissions average, and will last the duration of the student’s degree.

In a recent interview with the EvoLLLution, Gregg Bereznick (Western University) discusses the trends that are shaping the continuing medical education (CME) field. Bereznick notes that the post-pandemic experience should offer learners an in-person “pre-pandemic” experience in addition to a “buffet” of other opportunities that include virtual and in-person learning. He discusses how medical educators benefit from “bite-sized,” needs-based continuing education to fit their busy schedules. Bereznick says that continuing education for physicians must include “a level of truth and clarity that other onboarding may not require” to help participants move forward. Bereznick concludes that the post-pandemic world provides a unique opportunity for CME and faculty development to be rethought.

The First Nations University of Canada, Northlands College, and the University of Regina have collaborated to bring a Bachelor of Administration Program (BAdmin) to Northlands. The courses will be delivered remotely by FNU and in an in-person or hybrid format by Northlands. Students will be able to complete the program while remaining within their communities in northern Saskatchewan. “One of our core principles is keeping our learners first, and with this partnership, we are excited to provide newer educational opportunities to them and prepare learners for countless job opportunities in Northern Saskatchewan,” said Northlands President Karsten Henriksen.

eCampusOntario has enhanced its Micro-Credentials Portal to provide its users with personalized, skills-based pathways to jobs. The new portal draws on the Conference Board of Canada’s OpportuNext program and labour market data to support reskilling and upskilling. It will offer tailored recommendations on micro-credentials that build on a user’s existing skills and prepare them for jobs that are in high demand. The enhancements are funded by the Future Skills Centre. “Providing personalized pathways that leverage labour market data into actionable insights will help us build the workforce of tomorrow, today,” said eCampusOntario CEO Robert Luke.

Leïla Ahouman of CBC News profiles the growing number of plant-based food options in Canadian university student dining halls. Ahouman explains that the recent surge in plant-based options comes as a response to students’ demands for variety and for dishes that are more environmentally friendly. Some institutions have also begun labelling more ethical food options, such as those that are climate-friendly, fair-trade, locally produced, and/or ocean-wise, in order to draw attention to more ethical food purchases. Ahouman spotlights the menus and related food service initiatives at Concordia University, Dalhousie University, the University of British Columbia, the University of Calgary, the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Toronto, and Western University.