Monday, August 19, 2024

WatSPEED and Digital Nova Scotia partner to upskill the digital economy

By Emma Pavlovich. This article was originally published on the WatSPEED website.

WatSPEED has partnered with Digital Nova Scotia (DNS) to bring learning and development opportunities to more than 300 organizations within Nova Scotia’s technology sectors. 

This initiative will offer specialized training for leaders, teams, and professionals who work in Nova Scotia’s digital economy, providing cutting-edge educational resources at the intersection of technology and business. 

“As our digital landscape evolves, so does the need for advanced skills,” said Sanjeev Gill, associate vice-president, innovation at the University of Waterloo and executive director of WatSPEED. “WatSPEED’s proven track record in supporting the needs of industry, combined with our institution’s strong reputation in technology and innovation, will enable Digital Nova Scotia’s member organizations to receive upskilling that is aligned with their needs, ensuring immediate and impactful benefits.” 

Programs for DNS members will focus on critical areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, machine learning, leadership, and agile project management, equipping participants with the tools necessary to enhance their careers in today’s fast-paced digital economy. 

As Nova Scotia’s industry association for information and communication technologies and digital technologies, DNS fosters the growth and evolution of the province’s digital economy through skills development, capacity building, events, and partnership opportunities. 

“This collaboration with WatSPEED underscores our commitment to improving Nova Scotia’s digital economy and expanding opportunities for upskilling and training,” said Owen Sagness, CEO of DNS. “As the leading industry association for Nova Scotia’s tech sector, we are always looking for innovative ways to provide valuable opportunities to our community, and this partnership does just that. We recognize the unique challenges and opportunities facing our industry and we’re thrilled to offer our members a competitive advantage through this new initiative.” 

This partnership marks a step forward in providing practical, industry-aligned education to drive innovation in Nova Scotia’s technology sector. 

CEL offers TA training for facilitating online courses

A message from the Centre for Extended Learning (CEL).  

The  Centre for Extended Learning (CEL)  is hosting  an online certificate course entitled  Getting Ready to Facilitate Online Courses:  TA Training – Fall 2024, which will run from  Monday, September 23, 2024 until Friday, October 25. (Note that there will be no activities or assignments due during Reading Week.) 

This 4-week, online certificate course is suitable for any current or future Waterloo teaching assistant (TA)  wishing to build skills and knowledge of best practices in facilitating fully online courses, says the course description. You will discover how to successfully contribute to the facilitation of  an online course, foster student engagement, support student outcomes, and build a sense of community using various forms of interaction. Participants  will also learn how to use LEARN LMS tools to create presence and connection,  assess student learning and work effectively in your TA/Preceptor role. 

 Note:  The format of the course is asynchronous (no live virtual sessions), however, participants are required to engage with the course content, interact with other participants, and complete activities each week by the scheduled deadlines. Participants should expect to spend about 4 hours per week on the course. 

Register on GoSignMeUp. Course registration closes on Monday, September 16. 

To Be Honest: The Musical hits the stage next week

A message from UWaterloo Life.

Attend one of the premiere performances of Waterloo Orientation’s award-winning production ‘To Be Honest: The Musical’ to show your support for the cast and crew and learn about the supports and resources available to students. Affectionally known as ‘TBH’, the musical is uplifting, welcoming and has strong themes of building connections and developing resiliency while attending university.

This musical will follow students though a ‘year at a glance’ and includes issues such as homesickness, consent, academic integrity, imposter syndrome, and features many supports for students. This show is presented so that students watching feel less alone and know how to access resources to help them get through the tough stuff and teaches them how to get involved and connected on campus.

"Students starting university face so much change all at once — anxiety about being in a new place, making friends, navigating relationships, striving for academic success, feeling unprepared or unworthy, and figuring out who they are while managing their own and others' expectations. It's a lot. We aim to explore many of those feelings and situations in TBH to help first-year students make the best of their post-secondary experience. Plus, the show is a musical, so it includes popular songs and some fun dancing to keep everyone engaged and entertained." - Amanda Kind, TBH Director

We look forward to your attendance at one of the premiere performances of “To Be Honest ‘The Musical’. Please see three available options and register using the link below.

• Wednesday, August 28, 2024, 3:00 PM –4:00 PM, Physical Activities Complex (PAC) Gymnasium
• Thursday, August 29, 2024, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Physical Activities Complex (PAC) Gymnasium
• Friday, August 30, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Physical Activities Complex (PAC) Gymnasium

The musical takes place in the Physical Activities Complex (PAC) and is open to everyone – including staff, faculty, and guests – to attend. Admission is free, but we encourage you to reserve tickets so we can plan for the number of guests. Doors open 15-minutes prior to showtime. Please arrive early and enter the PAC from the East entrance off the BMH Green.

Register and mark your calendars. It’s the performance you don’t want to miss!