Wednesday, August 29, 2018

These are the issues: Undergraduate Learning

This is part seven of a 7-week series in the Daily Bulletin examining the Strategic Plan Bridge to 2020 issue papers. Have your say and join the Strategic Plan conversation by providing feedback.

"Our environmental scan of best practices in teaching and learning at the post-secondary level confirms that the University of Waterloo is doing well on a number of fronts," writes the Undergraduate Learning issue paper advisory group. "Many ongoing practices that promote deep learning for our students emerge from individual Faculties through a host of initiatives, for example, senior capstone projects, problem-based learning, incubators, implementation of a large variety of technologies to support teaching and learning, and so on."

"The competitive landscape for the best undergraduate students means that Waterloo cannot afford to rest on its laurels. Within higher education, the dominant paradigm continues to focus on teaching while there is an ongoing and increasing push to focus on learning. As an institution, Waterloo appears ready to make a transition from operating within a teaching paradigm, where the focus is on what teachers do, to the learning paradigm, where the focus is on what learners do. This is where we need to go as an institution."

The advisory group proposes the following institutional vision statement for learning:

Waterloo as a university where learning is powered by curiosity, informed by research, and transformative in practice.

The advisory group recommends adopting five evidence-based principles of effective teaching that are particularly relevant to Waterloo’s context that will enable the University to achieve the learning process as characterized in the vision statement: 

At Waterloo, effective teaching (1) uses alignment in course and curriculum design; (2) fosters motivation; (3) embodies inclusivity; (4) encourages deep learning; and (5) enables lifelong learning.

In terms of specific initiatives that would allow Waterloo to achieve the aspirations of the vision statement for learning, the advisory group has distilled them into five strategic priority areas:

1. Teaching and curricular innovations to encourage creativity.
2. Student-led initiatives to empower our students.
3. Assessment of learning to provide positive and productive learning experiences.
4. Institutional infrastructure, policy, and practice to promote quality and remove barriers to flexibility.
5. Advancing experiential education as an integral part of the Waterloo experience.

The advisory group has proposed a series of thought-starting questions to stimulate discussion on this issue, including:

• How can the university demonstrate commitment to an approach to learning that is powered by curiosity, informed by research, and transformative in practice?
• In your role, how do you see this approach to learning coming to life?

Read the full list of thought-starting questions.

Check out the full issue paper (PDF) on the Bridge to 2020 website.

Join the conversation and share your feedback on the Leveraging Resources issue paper.

UW Fitness programs for faculty and staff

A message from UW Fitness.

The kids are back in school and it’s time to get back to fitness! Did you know you can exercise in a private gym under the supervision of certified trainers right here on campus? The best part is that Waterloo staff can get a 50 percent discount on these services!

UW Fitness is offering Waterloo staff and faculty several specialized once weekly small group exercise programs in addition to our regular twice weekly small group personal training. Thanks to funding from the UW Staff Association’s Staff Excellence Fund, Waterloo staff receive a 50 percent discount on all fitness program. Take advantage of the private on campus facility under the guidance of our certified staff.  

Please see our website for more details and scheduling.  Classes start the week of September 10^th.   

Email fitness@uwaterloo.ca to register or call ext. 36841 for more information. Spaces are limited and new programs are starting soon so sign up ASAP.

Wednesday's notes

Print and Retail Solutions is reminding campus that if you bring your kids back-to-school shopping at the Book Store, you will receive a free plush goose with your purchase until Friday, August 31. One goose per child (13 and under).

Employers on campus next week hosting employer information sessions include Asana, Hatch, TD and Oliver Wyman. Visit the Employer Information Calendar for more details.