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Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1425269
E D U C A T I O N F E A T U R E S p e c i a l F e a t u r e flexible education is already its mission and before the pandemic, it was offering 31% of courses online. "We were able to move the rest of our programming quickly and smoothly, thanks to our extensive experience in the online learning environment," says Dean of Lifelong Learning at Simon Fraser University, Julia Denholm. "In 2020/2021, we delivered all of our more than 600 course sections remotely and reached learners far beyond our borders." In addition to self-paced online courses, SFU Continuing Studies introduced virtual classes that provided live interaction between learners and instructors via videoconference. This was an important component of ensuring students could carry on with their studies safely and without further disruption throughout the pandemic. "We celebrated the 50th anniversary of SFU Continuing Studies this year," Denholm says. "In reflecting on our history, we were reminded that even in the 1970s, long before the internet, we offered correspondence courses as an alternative way to deliver learning to our students." During the pandemic, students valued the convenience of online learning, and SFU Continuing Studies is now committed to keeping more of its programming virtual even with campuses reopened. "We want to be sure our students can continue their learning and reach their career goals, no matter where they are or what life throws in the way," Denholm says. In addition, the pandemic and other world events have recently brought to light a number of social inequities that Denholm says have inspired SFU Continuing Studies students. "As a result, we're seeing growing interest in leadership and community building programs, which help leaders at all levels navigate an increasingly complex world and create positive change in their organizations and communities," she says. "People want to make a real difference, and that's exciting to see." QUEST UNIVERSITY Quest University was the first university in BC to make the decision to move to remote instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with most other institutions following the next day. Over a long weekend, students travelled back home to 40 different countries and continued their studies the next week. "Our courses are all seminar style, with small interactive classes, discussion, projects, labs, and field trips," says Jeff Warren, VP Academic at Quest. "Students also take one course at a time in an intensive 3.5 week 'block' of time. While so much changed when we pivoted online, other things did not change. Our faculty worked to maintain excellent learning experiences and learning communities." For some classes, that meant keeping community through meeting at the same time online. For other classes spread across time zones, community was created other ways. "At the time we moved remote, we had a class of students on a ship in Antarctica that ended up not being allowed to enter an Argentinian port," Warren says. "The class was quarantined together on the ship for a couple of weeks before finding a way to return home. Knowing they'd be missing their graduation, they threw an impromptu ceremony for the graduating students. This story is just one example of the creativity of our faculty and staff to create high impact learning experiences no matter what the circumstances." In September, Quest returned to in person classes, and the pandemic has prompted faculty and staff to deepen the school's constant process of evaluating its learning methods and services. As an institution for innovative teaching and learning, Quest University constantly evaluates and iterates to create the best learning experience possible for all students, whether studying in their first year of post- secondary or coming to the school as a mature student. "In a nutshell, continuous innovation is in Quest's DNA," Warren says. "While the pandemic was more significant upheaval than usual, our faculty and staff were able to respond extremely well because of the way Quest continues to iteratively innovate." ■ PHOTO: COURTESY OF SFU CONTINUING STUDIES PHOTO COURTESY OF: QUEST UNIVERSITY