Education

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017 11 Learn a Traditional Language EXPLORE INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION AT RRC Each course is designed to help you read, write and speak Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe/Salteaux), and increase your understanding of its social, cultural and historical significance. FOR MORE INFORMATION: 204.694.1789 | CDE@RRC.CA | RRC.CA/ACL The courses are the first of their kind to be offered by RRC, and will be delivered through a partnership between its School of Indigenous Education and its School of Continuing Education. The College is committed to providing opportunities for educators to learn to speak, read and write in traditional Anishinaabemowin languages, which in turn will help to support and enhance the success of Indigenous students at RRC. "As a College, we are taking the lead to provide more opportunities for educators to gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous language and identity, and to continue to strengthen partnerships with Indigenous learners in our community," says Rebecca Chartrand, RRC's Executive Director of Indigenous Strategy. "The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada has called for action to protect the right to Indigenous languages, including the teaching of Aboriginal languages as credit courses. As a learning institution, it is critical for Red River College to incorporate Indigenous knowledge, perspectives and content, and to create innovative and relevant programming in order to achieve this." The College's Introduction to Anishinaabemowin Language and Culture course is geared to non-fluent or semi- fluent speakers, while a more advanced course is available for intermediate and fluent speakers. Both will be offered on a part-time basis beginning in January 2018. To learn more, visit rrc.ca/acl. ❚ RED RIVER COLLEGE LAUNCHES NEW COURSES EXPLORING INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE AND CULTURE As part of continued efforts to support the growth and revitalization of Indigenous languages in Manitoba classrooms, Red River College has launched a pair of new courses exploring Anishinaabemowin language and culture. It's a mantra we've all heard before: innovate, or become irrelevant. With that in mind, post-secondary education institutions have been working hard to stay relevant by providing busy students with fresh, flexible course options that can be custom-tailored to their individual needs. Kerry Swanson, President of Winnipeg-based Herzing College, says his institution has come up with a new concept called the Integrated Learning System. "It's essentially a hybrid delivery system that incorporates both online and on-campus learning. Students can learn both ways — whichever suits them best at a particular time," he says. "You can go in to a classroom and take in a lecture, or you can access lectures via pre-recorded modules." Basically, students — in this case primarily those in the ever- expanding millennial bracket — have the best of both worlds. "In either case, instructors will work closely with students to ensure they get all the concepts and information being taught. That said, students can access a very cool feature — they can go back to the video of the lecture to make sure they didn't miss out on any notes. With this format, you never miss out on anything." At the same time, the online delivery format is also very user-friendly. "Lectures are about 10 to 12 minutes. Students then go on to do a lesson-related exercise. If they do it successfully, they can choose to go on. If they're not successful, they can re-do the exercise. The instructor is also available to help the student out, if need be," Swanson explains. "This method of learning is becoming very popular." In short, it's essential that colleges, schools and universities recognize the learning demands of today's students. "Everyone learns differently and at a different pace, so you need to use different modalities to meet those differing needs," he says. "We're working hard at developing modalities that allow students seamless access, either by video online or by direct, in-class learning." All that work on developing cutting-edge programming is being driven by one central thought, adds Swanson. "We want to see people succeed, so we're going to make whatever efforts are required to help students achieve success. For that to happen, education has to be delivered in a flexible manner." With so many students leading demanding lives outside of school, that flexibility is key. "Because students have a wide variety of options to choose from, they can choose what they want to study and then study it in the way that best suits them, when they have time to study," he says. "The beauty of it all is we can provide students with a marketable skill in a short period of time." That means that students no longer need to feel "stuck." "You can now continue to work while going to school, so there's an option — you don't have to be stuck in a job you don't like. Flexible education options are now providing people with the ability to make positive long-term changes in their lives," says Swanson, adding that Digital Marketing Assistant and Radio, TV and Broadcasting are two of Herzing's most popular programs. It's no surprise the Integrated Learning System, with its ultra- flexible delivery options, is gaining popularity. "Word is starting to get out," he says. "People are talking about how practical and innovative the approach is. The key is that it's not distance education — you're not on your own, and it's very interactive, in the neighbourhood of getting close to a virtual classroom." Though there's a long way to go before the virtual classroom concept becomes reality, Herzing is committed to refining program delivery methods so they can provide even better options to students. "We're very excited about it — there's so much potential. We're going to continue to push the envelope in terms of innovation. By doing that, we can create accessible, flexible educational opportunities for people who didn't have them before." For more information on Herzing College's wide variety of innovative programs, visit herzing.ca/Winnipeg, or call 204-775-8175. ❚ Herzing College has developed the Integrated Learning System which incorporates both online and on-campus learning. Submitted photo DRIVEN BY INNOVATION By Todd Lewys for the Free Press HERZING COLLEGE '' It's essentially a hybrid delivery system that incorporates both online and on-campus learning. Students can learn both ways — whichever suits them best at a particular time."

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