Education

2 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT • SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2021 EDUCATION GUIDE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA High-quality teaching key to student success BY JENNIFER MCFEE AND LE AH GELLER H igh-quality teaching prepares stu- dents for their futures, no matter whether it's done in-person or re- motely. Dr. Mark G. Torchia is the Vice-Provost ( Teaching and Learning) and executive director of the Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, an academic support unit providing leadership and ex- pertise for the University of Manitoba's teaching and learning mission. "Effective teaching, regardless of modality, is de- signed to provide an optimum learning experience for students and allow them to be as successful as possible in achieving their academic goals," Torchia said. High-quality teaching helps prepare students to achieve successful careers and to become engaged citizens. "UM works to provide an outstanding student experience by sup- porting opportunities for experiential learning as well as working with our external partners, including business and industry, to ensure cur- riculum is aligned with labour-market needs. This helps ensure UM graduates are highly successful in the workplace, their careers and in ongoing graduate education. Beyond the traditional instructor-learner model, UM also provides plenty of supports to students in an effort to further enhance their aca- demic and personal success, he added. Looking ahead to the fall term, UM is increasing the number of avail- able in-person classes, based on COVID-19 public health orders. "We anticipate that close to 800 courses and labs will be held in-per- son, with the remainder delivered remotely," Torchia said. "In addition, many other in-person, non-curricular opportunities for students are in development for the fall term. UM has indicated that winter term is planned as a fully in-person term." In addition, the university encourages faculty to be innovative in their teaching, whether that's in the classroom, in the community, in nature or online. Sarah Ciurysek is associate director, graduate and research, and as- sociate professor at the UM School of Art. Ciurysek is the recipient of the 2021 Olive Beatrice Stanton Award for Excellence in Teaching. She was nominated by Jean Borbridge, who took three of Ciurysek's courses during her BFA, before graduating in 2017. Borbridge now works as a visual artist and as education co-ordinator for the UM School of Art Gallery. "Sarah is incredibly warm and generous with all of her knowledge, and creates an amazing, safe environment to learn and grow," says Borbridge. "She creates intimate relationships with all of her students, and also encourages them to connect with each other. There is so much space for discussion and peer-to-peer learning." When the campus shut down due to the pandemic in March 2020, Ci- urysek realized many of her students would struggle to complete term projects, as they couldn't access school facilities. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 ere is no question UM instructors have really done an incredible job at maintaining the quality of the courses but also have demonstrated their willingness to integrate new approaches to learning." — Dr. Mark G. Torchia, Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning), University of Manitoba #AccessUM To learn more visit umextended.ca/access or call 204-474-8000 Discover the path between you and your dreams ACCESS Program The Access Program includes two paths: The University of Manitoba Access Program (UMAP) supports students in degree and diploma programs at the U of M. It is available to all Manitoba residents, with preference given to Indigenous people, residents of Northern Manitoba, low income earners, and newcomers. The Health Careers Access Program (HCAP) supports Indigenous (Status, Non-Status, Métis, Inuit) students for entry to health-related professions such as Medicine, Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, Pharmacy, Rehabilitation Sciences, Nursing, and Midwifery Program. Kaitlin Fosseneuve, UM student, UM graduate Métis and Cree from Cranberry Portage "I had so many obstacles and barriers that I had to break through, but the Access Program was a really big help for me. Have you applied for the Access Program?"

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