Close to $1 Million in Funding from eCampusOntario to Develop Unique New Online Programs at Trent
Trent University receives funding for five collaborative development & research projects for Trent Online
Online learning at Trent University is set to develop new online programming unique in Canada, while also making education more accessible, thanks to $977,180 in funding from eCampusOntario which will see numerous faculty members at Trent working to develop new online programs and courses, as well as research related to online learning.
Following a call from eCampusOntario last summer for education professionals to submit proposals that would encourage cross-institution collaboration while focusing on areas of high labour market demand, five unique projects at Trent University were approved. Each of the awarded projects will support enhanced learning opportunities for students, and will involve collaboration within Trent University, the Trent Community Research Centre, and ten other Ontario universities or colleges.
“Trent Online’s recent success with eCampusOntario funding is an excellent step forward for ensuring even greater opportunities for high quality online learning at Trent University,” said Dr. Jackie Muldoon, provost and vice-president academic at Trent University. “The projects that received funding will encourage collaboration among institutions, increase accessibility for our students, and support innovative program development at Trent.”
As part of the funding, Trent Online will support the development of two new innovative programs: a Master of Environmental Monitoring degree program led by Dr. Dennis Murray, associate professor of Biology and Canada research chair in terrestrial ecology; and a Circumpolar Studies Specialization diploma led by Dr. Heather Nicol, acting chair of the School for the Study of Canada at Trent University. Both programs will be unique in Canada and will be offered almost entirely online.
In addition, Dr. Stephen Hill, an associate professor in the School of the Environment has been awarded funding to develop a series of open access online resources to encourage integrated theory and practice learning through community-based research. The interactive modules will be built based on research conducted by Professor Hill, and the modules will be made available for wide use in Ontario and beyond.
Research grants were also awarded to Dr. Jane Tyerman, a faculty member in the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing and her team to explore the cost effectiveness of using virtual pre-simulation in nursing education, and to Dr. Marco Pollanen, a faculty member in the department of Mathematics and Dr. Bruce Cater, dean of Arts & Sciences at Trent to research tools and approaches for improving accessibility through enhanced online communication.
Currently, Trent University has developed over 100 online courses across a diverse range of programs.
About eCampus Ontario
eCampus Ontario is the a not-for-profit corporation whose membership is composed of all publicly funded colleges and universities in Ontario. Our mandate is to promote access, collaboration and innovation in online and technology-enabled learning to enhance the student experience, support faculty development and extend Ontario’s global reputation as a leader in teaching and learning through technology.
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham – Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.
For more information contact:
Kate Weersink, media relations & strategic communications officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6180 or kateweersink@trentu.ca
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