Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Maplesoft, Waterloo partner to improve online STEM education

Maplesoft and the University of Waterloo have announced a partnership that will combine Maplesoft’s online courseware platform, Möbius, together with Waterloo-developed content in math and other STEM subjects. Möbius will be available along with courses and online Waterloo material to provide institutions and professors with a rich online learning solution that allows learning by doing, using technology that keeps students actively engaged through interactive applications, visualizations and immediate feedback.

The University of Waterloo is uniquely positioned to offer a wide array of specialized courses. The Faculty of Mathematics alone offers close to 600 courses in mathematics, statistics and computer science. About 50 such complete courses are currently offered online using Möbius.

Maplesoft has successfully developed technology solutions and tools used in STEM education for nearly 30 years, and 8,000 educational institutions, research labs, and companies, in more than 90 countries use its technology.

A combined offering by these two partners aims to transform online education and help students develop a deeper understanding of complex problems and concepts in STEM topics. Through this new partnership, students and educators around the world can get access to a wide variety of online undergraduate courses covering a wide array of subjects.

“The University of Waterloo has a long history of high quality distance education and substantial experience in online courses and degrees. We eagerly embrace advances in technology to give all our students the most effective learning experience. Möbius allows both on-campus and online students to learn at their own pace and at their own time,” said Stephen Watt, dean of the Faculty of Mathematics at Waterloo. “Rather than learning by watching, students can learn by doing. We are delighted to see Waterloo-developed material made widely available through Möbius.”

“The blending of highly effective technology infrastructure with top quality content is critical to the advancement of online education,” said Jim Cooper, president and CEO of Maplesoft. “It provides a complete solution that enables institutions to move courses online and make full use of the opportunities that the application of technology to education can provide. The University of Waterloo has a strong reputation in the STEM education community and the top-quality university level content they have developed using Möbius will offer opportunities for more effective education. We are excited about this initiative that will empower educators to succeed in a new teaching environment with a solution designed to meet the particular needs of STEM education.”

The initial offerings will be available beginning spring 2017, with a larger suite of courses coming in the fall.

Maplesoft and the University previously partnered to create the Secondary School Courseware Project, a free online education initiative that encourages and promotes the study of mathematics among high school students. The project, developed using Möbius, supports high school teachers in pre-calculus and calculus courses, and better prepares students for STEM courses at the post-secondary level. This new agreement is the next step in building on the success of that initiative.

The Library presents The New Feminists

A message from the Library

Special Collections & Archives is pleased to announce the launch of a new exhibit: The New Feminists. In an exciting collaboration between the Archives and Fine Arts, a selection of 3^rd- and 4^th-year-students’ studio work is currently on display.

Students engaged with feminism were inspired to create after connecting with our women’s studies collections. This student-driven exhibit is accompanied by material from the Archives.

Visitors are advised that the exhibition contains mature content.

The New Feminists will be on display in the Doris Lewis Rare Book Room until Tuesday, February 28.

We would like to thank Professor Tara Cooper and Faith Ashford for co-curating The New Feminists. We would also like to thank the following students for allowing us to display their work: Faith Ashford, Olivia Carvalho, Nicolette Kemp, Raegan Little, Sarah Moreau, and Taylor Singh.

Applications open for China research partnerships

Applications are now being accepted for the International Research Partnership Grants-China (IRPG-China).

IRPG-China is a pilot program within the International Research Program Grants (IRPG). Each of these University of Waterloo programs offers up to $20,000 to help researchers establish global research networks with elite institutions, advance research and innovation, and leverage new funding opportunities.

Since the IRPG was created several years ago, the funding through these programs has led to new partnerships with key institutions, over $4 million in new grants for Waterloo researchers, and more than 50 new innovations and technologies.

Applications for the grants, which are worth up to $20,000, close on February 1.

For more information, please contact Madalina Mirea.

Register for the Hagey Funspiel and other notes

Registration is open for the annual UW Hagey Funspiel. The event will be held at the Ayr Curling Club on Saturday, February 25. As always, the the event is open to faculty, staff, retirees, alumni, students, suppliers and guests.

"Whether you are an experienced curler or have never curled before, you will enjoy the fun and frolics of this annual non-competitive event," says a message from the Funspiel organizers. "Brooms, sticks, crutches, sliders, grippers are supplied."

The Registrar's Office is reminding students that the last day to add classes for the winter 2017 term is January 16, 2017. Conversely, the last day to withdraw from a class with 100 percent refund of tuition is January 23, 2017. Students are asked to contact their academic advisor if they have questions.

UW Fitness is offering several new specialized once-weekly small group exercise programs for Waterloo staff and faculty (in addition to their regular twice weekly small group training). Thanks to funding from the University of Waterloo Staff Association’s Staff Excellence Fund, Waterloo staff receive a 50 percent discount on up to 2 of the following new “Learn To” programs:

• Learn To Spin
• Learn Effective Core Training
• Learn to Nordic Pole Walk
• Learn Effective Resistance Tubing Workouts
• Learn to Exercise with the Stability Ball
• Learn TRX Suspension Training
• Learn to Run

"Take advantage of the private on campus facility under the guidance of our certified staff," says a message from UW Fitness. "Please see our website for more details and scheduling, email fitness@uwaterloo.ca to register or call extension 36841 for more information." Spaces are limited.

The University Club is running a Chinese New Year Luncheon from January 23 to January 27.