Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/912526
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017 5 Innovators never stop learning. Bring innovation to your working world at umextended.ca/PDAL And they're enrolling in Canada's most innovative adult learning program. This first-of-its-kind program replaces our Certificate in Continuing and Adult Education and features: Applied learning – Every core course includes a project that can be applied to real world professional challenges and opportunities. Broad application – Courses are relevant to the workplace, community development and higher education. Flexible delivery – Modular online course delivery allows students to determine their own path to program completion. Put innovation into practice with the all new Certificate in Program Development for Adult Learners (PDAL). S omething new has been happening in the University of Manitoba's Division of Extended Education that is leading to the exciting redevelopment of programs designed to fit the unique needs of industry and organizations — on both a local and national level. In response to feedback from industry stakeholders for more relevant, applied learning in the field of teaching and training adults, we are launching our newly developed Certificate in Program Development for Adult Learners, and it is no ordinary program. It is the first example of a new generation of programming that will position the University of Manitoba as an innovator in professional studies programming. Over the past year, the program development team in Extended Education has been doing some groundbreaking work. One of our popular programs, the Certificate in Adult and Continuing Education, was due for an update and we decided to set our sights high. We wanted to produce the best adult learning program in Canada. Not only did we update content, we have also completely revolutionized the concept of applied learning. Taking adult-learning principles into account, we knew that it would be important to do two things that draw a solid connection to the types of work our students would be doing in their own workplaces. First, we added an applied project that relates to the professional focus for each student. All of the core program modules contribute directly to the completion of part of the applied project. Second, we provide students with choices within program modules so they can choose readings and learning resources that relate to their field. The three broad fields we anticipated in the design of the program are workplace performance development, community development, and higher education. The program core, with its strong emphasis on creating an applied learning experience, is complemented by a wide selection of elective courses to complete the program requirements. We are very excited to be offering this new program starting in January 2018. Although we believe we have designed a program that is second to none, we are also committed to ongoing improvement. This new program will be continually evaluated to make it even better because we truly believe innovators never stop learning. Learn more about our Certificate in Program Development for Adult Learners at umextended.ca/PDAL. ❚ UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA'S DIVISION OF EXTENDED EDUCATION AN INNOVATION IN ADULT LEARNING Pushing relevance to a whole new level By Dr. Gary Hepburn, PhD — Dean, Division of Extended Education Dr. Gary Hepburn, PhD — Dean, Division of Extended Education Supplied photos