Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
More than a credential or a piece of paper
From the 2024 issue of Waterloo Magazine: Happiness.
We all have different ways of giving back, whether giving our time and skills or making a charitable donation. However, the reason is often the same — you want to help make a difference.
Dr. Sara Konrath (BA ’02) understands this well. Having grown up in the region and studied at the University of Waterloo, Konrath is now a social psychologist and associate professor at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, where her research focuses on philanthropy and what drives people to give back.
Read more about Sara’s experience, and learn what inspires her to give back to Waterloo.
Celebrating excellence in online teaching
A message from the Centre for Extended Learning (CEL).
The University of Waterloo’s Online Teaching Awards recognize teaching and course design excellence in fully online courses. A leader in digital teaching and learning, Waterloo has a comprehensive Digital Learning Strategy, and many exceptional people supporting our students in their learning journeys, and it’s time to celebrate two outstanding contributors!
The Centre for Extended Learning (CEL) and the Office of the Associate Vice-President, Academiccongratulate Daniel Harley and David Ha, winners of the 2023 Online Teaching awards.
Excellence in Online Course Design Award
DEI 616: Multimedia Storytelling, created by Daniel Harley of the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business, has been selected as the recipient of 2023 Online Course Design Award.
When designing the course, Daniel recognized that students in this program come from varying backgrounds and career aspirations and he aimed to provide a practical and analytical orientation to storytelling that they could use within their individual disciplines. The course design follows many Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and User Experience Design for Learning (UXDL) principles and results in an engaging, pedagogically effective learning experience which students found thought-provoking and relevant.
Excellence in Online Teaching Award
David Ha from the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) has been selected as the winner of the 2023 Online Teaching Award. David was nominated for his teaching in AFM 131: Introduction to Business in North America, a large first year course, which he also authored.
David has been a pioneer and leader in online learning at SAF since 2015. His students were very supportive of his nomination and their comments indicate that he creates a strong rapport with them, is responsive to their needs, and finds many ways for them to engage with him, the course materials and other students.
Both author(s) worked collaboratively with CEL in the design and development of their courses.
Getting the incoming class Waterloo Ready
A message from the Student Success Office.
Over the next two weeks, you’ll see thousands of new and friendly faces on campus. The Student Success Office (SSO) and all six faculties will welcome incoming undergraduate students and their supporters to Faculty Ready Days. Dates include:
- Health Ready: Monday, July 8
- Math Ready: Tuesday, July 9
- Science Ready: Wednesday, July 10
- Arts Ready: Thursday, July 11
- Engineering Ready: Saturday, July 13
- Environment Ready: Wednesday, July 17
Faculty Ready Days are just one element of the SSO’s new student transition strategy. Waterloo Ready programming also includes weekly emails, webinars and LEARN modules.
Together, these resources establish students’ relationships with peers, faculty, staff and campus services; create knowledge of important campus services; establish communities for international and equity-deserving students; and build students’ sense of belonging at Waterloo.
Learn more on the Welcome Warriors website.