Federal budget supports digital literacy and work-integrated learning: �山ǿ�� engineering has had success with these programs

ullahnor — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 19:30:05 +0000

ullahnor Thu, 03/23/2017 - 15:30

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Teachers from the Toronto District School Board attend a robotics and computer coding workshop hosted by �山ǿ�� Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering in February 2016 (photo by Tyler Irving)

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City & Culture

Budget

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Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

The 2017 federal budget earmarks $50 million over two years for Teaching Kids to Code, a fund that supports teaching initiatives in coding and digital literacy across the country, and includes new investments in work-integrated learning. Both are areas where �山ǿ��'s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering has a track record of success.

Teaching Kids to Code

“To give our young people the best possible start, we will promote hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, and math, especially for young women, girls, and Indigenous youth,” said Finance Minister Bill Morneau in his speech to Parliament.

Learn more about coding workshops at �山ǿ�� Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Teaching Kids to Code will enhance activities such as coding workshops from �山ǿ�� engineering’s outreach programs. Aimed at providing both students and teachers with new tools to integrate programming, robotics and digital literacy into their classrooms, these workshops reach hundreds each year.

“Demand for talent in science and technology will only continue to grow in the coming decades,” said Dawn Britton, associate director of engineering outreach at �山ǿ��. “Outreach activities are critical in ensuring that the STEM fields attract talent that reflects the full diversity of Canada.”

Britton was on Parliament Hill for the announcement along with Jennifer Flanagan, CEO of Actua, Canada’s leading science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) youth outreach network. �山ǿ�� engineering and Actua have partnered with Google to deliver Codemakers, which aims to transform the way youth engage with computers and build digital literacy through hands-on learning.

“For 25 years we have focused on engaging the hardest to reach youth, including girls and Indigenous youth, and we are thrilled that the government’s innovation agenda is focused on skills development and inclusivity,” said Flanagan in a statement.

In 2015–2016, �山ǿ�� engineering engaged more than 9,000 pre-university students through pioneering programs, including:

Innovate U – Canada’s largest STEM event for children in Grades 3 to 8. This one-day workshop, held last May, was run in partnership with Google Canada and Actua, and attracted more than 1,400 students and teachers from across the GTA.
Coding Workshops – Delivered in partnership with Google and Actua, coding workshops will provide students in Grades 3 to 6 with the opportunity to develop their own set of codemaking abilities through a variety of in class activities.
Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program (DEEP) Summer Academy – Since 2003, DEEP has provided highly motivated high school students with an aptitude for science and math with opportunities for advanced study in a variety of engineering, technology, business and science disciplines.
Jr. DEEP and Girls' Jr. DEEP – Modelled on DEEP Summer Academy school students, Jr. DEEP offers courses on cutting-edge topics in science, technology and engineering with an emphasis on hands-on learning.

Innovative programming, combined with strategic recruitment initiatives, has contributed to continued enriched diversity at �山ǿ�� engineering among both students and faculty. This year, the first-year undergraduate class included more than 40 per cent women, the highest proportion in Ontario. This increased the overall proportion of women across all �山ǿ�� engineering undergraduate programs to more than 30 per cent.

In the past 10 years, the number of female faculty members has more than doubled, from 21 to 55. �山ǿ�� engineering is a key partner in advancing Engineers Canada’s ‘30 by 30’ objective: 30 per cent female representation among newly licensed engineers by 2030.

New look for �山ǿ��'s Faculty of Information

ullahnor — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 15:41:02 +0000

New look for �山ǿ��'s Faculty of Information

ullahnor Tue, 10/25/2016 - 11:41

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Renovation on the fourth floor of the Faculty of Information features group study hubs (photo by Noreen Ahmed-Ullah)

Noreen Ahmed-Ullah

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Noreen Ahmed-Ullah

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Faculty of Information

If you’ve ever flown first class in an executive pod, then you’ll appreciate the creature comforts behind the new study pods at �山ǿ��’s Faculty of Information.

A semi-enclosed space, comfy chair, movable desk, a foot stool to stretch your legs and your very own desk lamp and electrical outlet – what else could you possibly need?

“It’s perfect,” said Azel Mulagulova, a first-year master’s student in the faculty, which is also known as the iSchool. “There’s privacy. It’s very comfortable to work in and very efficient in the way it’s designed.”

The individual study pods are just part of the upgrades at the Faculty of Information, in which the fourth and fifth floors of the northern part of the Robarts Library complex have been completely redesigned and refurbished.

Azel Mulagulova works on her readings in a study pod at the iSchool

The renovation includes group study spaces, more interactive labs for digital preservation and database research, a soundproof Skype room and an exhibition wall (which will be replaced annually) for students in the Museum Studies program to practice curatorial techniques and designing exhibit spaces.

The faculty includes 681 graduate students in both the Information Studies and Museum Studies programs. While the new spaces will be available 24 hours a day to students in the faculty, they’re also open to other students from across the university from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“The impetus for adding updated smart boards and computers, gathering spaces, classrooms – and an abundance of electrical outlets – was to transform [this space] into a collaborative, experiential and experimental space,” says Dean Wendy Duff. “By giving students and professors a diverse range of study spaces: individual study pods, small and large group study rooms, as well as labs and large seminar rooms, they can pursue further excellence in teaching, service, studies and research.”

A Museum Studies student works on a display at the exhibition wall (photo by Charlotte Gagnier)

Gone, for the most part, are the days of endless study carrels. Instead, the space is using more open, wider tables that allow students to spread out their books. The tables also have easy-to-access electrical outlets.

The Semaphore Demo Room on the fourth floor will be a bookable space for events and design activities that focus on emerging technologies. For example, it’s been used recently for virtual reality demonstrations.

Both floors have been updated with new seating, more interactive classroom spaces and futuristic-looking group study hubs, each custom-built to tuck into the polygonal shapes in the north-facing windows of the Claude Bissell building, which is part of the Robarts complex.

The seven hubs, which feature their own motion-sensitive lighting, outlets and table space are often filled with people working together on assignments.

“They’re the second most popular spots here after the individual pods,” said Kathleen O’Brien, communications and development officer for the faculty. “Students are encouraged to gather and talk about their projects.”

A virtual reality demonstration at the iSchool (photo by Charlotte Gagnier)

digital

Federal budget supports digital literacy and work-integrated learning: �山ǿ�� engineering has had success with these programs

Learn more about coding workshops at �山ǿ�� Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Read more about �山ǿ�� and the federal budget

New look for �山ǿ��'s Faculty of Information