As with the start of any new year, the beginning of 2022 invites us all to reflect on the challenges and successes of the past whilst we look ahead and plan for the future. This year we find ourselves once again having to navigate a pivot online. I know many of you have worked hard over the holiday break in preparation for your winter courses and want to acknowledge the tremendous resiliency, creativity and compassion our community continues to demonstrate. As we continue to adapt, TLS is working diligently to imagine the future of teaching and learning at Carleton, and is setting the stage to ensure our institution is prepared to take advantage of the valuable lessons learned throughout the pandemic.
Carleton’s new Learning Management System (LMS) Brightspace by D2L, offers a wide range of possibilities to our teaching and learning community that didn’t exist before. We continue to expand our communities’ access to experiential learning opportunities through investments in our learning spaces and programs. Our Students as Partners Program (SaPP), has surged in popularity as more and more instructors seek to renew elements of their courses in a student-centred way. Since its launch in January 2020, the program has supported over 500 projects.
As you prepare for the first few weeks of classes, we want to remind you that TLS is here to help you imagine possibilities and address challenges for all types of modalities. Rest assured that the team is ready thanks to the experiences of the last two years and the valuable lessons learned. If you find yourself requiring support through this transition we encourage you to review our Teaching Online & HyFlex resources page or reach out for a one-on-one consultation.
Whether you are interested in borrowing equipment, want to consult with us about experiential learning opportunities, or just need some assistance with educational technology, we are here to help.
From the whole team at Teaching and Learning Services, and from me personally, thank you for your incredible drive and care throughout these challenging times. I wish you all the best as we begin this new year, and this new term.
David J Hornsby
Associate Vice-President (Teaching and Learning)