Simon Fraser University (SFU) - university and degrees review

Simon Fraser University (SFU) - university and degrees review

A brief look at the university – Simon Fraser University review and evaluation

Simon Fraser University (SFU) is a public Canadian university in British Columbia with three campuses, each located in different parts. The main campus is located on Burnaby Mountain in Burnaby, and the other two satellite campuses are found in Vancouver’s Downtown at Harbour Centre and Surrey. In recent years, the downtown campus has expanded to include several other buildings, including the Segal Graduate School of Business, now known officially as SFU Vancouver. Ranked by respected national surveys, such as the 2009 Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, as one of Canada’s top three comprehensive universities for many years, Simon Fraser University is named after Simon Fraser, a famous explorer and North West Company fur trader, who was known for his pioneering spirit.

Simon Fraser University was established in 1965 and presently has more than 32,000 students and 900 faculty members. Simon Fraser University has eight faculties in total and offers more than 100 undergraduate major and joint major programs, as well as 45 graduate programs. Students are mentored by faculty acclaimed for their research and teaching abilities and coached by dedicated advisors and employers in the integrated learning program. In addition, Simon Fraser University graduates enjoy a diverse range of internship opportunities and limitless career choices.

Which university courses are offered here at Simon Fraser University?

Simon Fraser University helps new, returning, graduate, distance education and mature students to fulfill their academic goals and potential by combining vast academic choices and co-op options and in turn, these help them to shape their future and add value to the world.

An example of this would be that students are able to obtain two degrees from different institutions at home and abroad through the dual and double degree programs. Exchange programs and field schools also encourage international and domestic students to share and experience others’ perspectives and worlds. Night and weekend programs enable full-time workers with families to achieve higher education.

Simon Fraser University is organized neatly into eight different faculties:

Faculty of Applied Sciences
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Faculty of Business Administration
Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Environment
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Science Radiology

Here at Simon Fraser University, they believe in equipping students with the relevant skills to tackle and solve real-life pressing problems. As such, SFU also offers innovative interdisciplinary degree programs such as the Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics and Master of Science in Population and Public, which are rare in other universities.

You will be pleased to note that distance education is made possible, here at Simon Fraser University. The Centre for Online and Distance Education (CODE) at SFU caters to students’ schedule and flexibility can be enjoyed while achieving your academic goals. As such, study could not have been made more accessible. University credits can be earned while meeting your other needs and obligations, be it full-time work, family or sports. SFU has one of Canada's largest distance education centres, with approximately 100 courses offered in a number of academic areas for each term. Courses emphasize twenty-first century technologies and skills, and most importantly, they are credited towards the internationally recognized and respected Simon Fraser University degrees, certificates, and post-baccalaureate diplomas. Of course, more research can be done if you are interested in an education with Simon Fraser University and more details on the array of available courses, both on-campus and online, can be found on the university webpage.

Finance and other important matters

All these valuable information were gleaned from Wikipedia, the college website, and also other helpful sources:Tuition varies based upon course selection, location and the number of courses studied each quarter.

There are various forms of financial aid and other services available, some of which are:
Scholarships for graduate and undergraduate students
Awards for graduate and undergraduate students
Government student loans and grants
Bursaries
Emergency loans

For more information on the different forms of financial aid available at Simon Fraser University, you can look at the university’s official website or contact the officers at the Finance Office.

Why you should study at Simon Fraser University and my own personal recommendations

Here at Simon Fraser University, they believe in helping students to chart their own unique course and destiny through numerous interdisciplinary academic programs and other interesting and enriching student activities. In addition, the wide and diverse range of undergraduate degrees and graduate programs in the university appeals to me. Simon Fraser University takes the welfare of students into consideration, providing flexibility in learning with an established distance learning education put in place. The university advocates academic excellence, promotes learning for all and respects diversity. Of course, the question is whether the course you want is offered at Simon Fraser University, be it in the real or virtual campus. Overall, I would recommend this university as you will be able to learn at your own pace and you will be spoilt for choice regarding the academic programs and student activities. Overall, this could be the university that you are looking for; with its diverse range, it could be the university education you want to help you leap towards academic excellence.

Thanks for reading and I hope that you will be able to find your dream university education at Simon Fraser University, be it on-campus or distance learning. Cheers!

Get your university degree online - degree reviews and university reviews

E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate (UW-Stout!)

University of Wisconsin-Stout
School of Education
Online Professional Development 

E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/elearningcertificate.html

• Are you looking for an E-learning and Online Teaching Certificate program?
• Is your institution rapidly developing online courses and programs?
• Are you looking for a new career or a way to supplement your current salary?
• Our courses benefit educators interested in effectively teaching online or blended courses. 

Spring registration is open. Sign up soon.

Courses are completely online; no travel to campus required.
8-Week Online Courses Recommended Course Sequence  

• EDUC 760 E-Learning for Educators two start date options:  February 8, 2010 or March 22, 2010
   
• EDUC 762 Assessment in E-Learning Begins January 11, 2010
   
• EDUC 763 Instructional Design for E-Learning  Begins February 1, 2010
   
• EDUC 761 Creating Collaborative Communities in E-Learning Begins January 25, 2010
   
• EDUC 764 E-Learning Practicum  (Prerequisite: Completion of EDUC 760, 761, 762, 763 and Consent of Instructor)
   

For more information, visit http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/elearningcertificate.html You may enroll in any single course for professional development or complete all four courses and the practicum to receive the Certificate in E-Learning and Online Teaching.

Courses can be used to fulfill requirements in the Master of Science in Education, Master of Science in Career and Technical Education and Ed.S. in Career and Technical Education degree programs.
Benefits

• Expert facilitation by veteran online educators
• Small highly interactive classes
• Professional quality projects for an e-portfolio to aid in job searches
• Career mentoring and job placement assistance
• Credits may also apply as electives in three different UW-Stout graduate degree programs
• Highly competitive tuition (tuition is the same for Wisconsin residents, out-of-state and international students)

The courses model best practices in e-learning with interactive discussions and hands-on experiences

• creating and using blogs, wikis, and other social tools
• integrating video and podcasts
• adopting best practices for engaging class discussions and assignments
• designing authentic assessment activities, quizzes and grading options 
• building strong communication activities in your online class
• motivating online students who are falling behind      
• managing your online teaching workload

If you have any questions, please contact Dennis O'Connor, the program adviser, at (530) 318-1145 or email oconnord@uwstout.edu

REGISTER SOON  

Register online today to reserve a spot at: http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/register.shtml

Mark university billing (do not include credit card info) and no tuition payment is due until mid January.

Online Instructional Design Graduate Certificate from UW-Stout!

New! Instructional Design Certificate

http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/instructionaldesigncert.shtml

Sign up now and begin January 19, 2010

The Instructional Design Professional Certificate is designed for professionals interested in switching careers, enhancing their career or developing focused competency in instructional design.

You might work as a member of an instructional design team or as a professional development coordinator, instructional designer for textbook or e-learning company, web developer, software consultant or designer, or in curriculum development in education, healthcare, museum, nonprofit organization or military settings.

• Eight week intensive graduate-level online courses

• Expert facilitation by veteran online educators

• Small highly interactive classes

• Professional quality projects for a job search e-portfolio

• Career mentoring

• Highly competitive tuition (same tuition for Wisconsin residents, out-of-state and international students)

Need more information?  Click Here! 

Notes from the front lines: The first week of class.

Getting Started: Week 1

The first week of an online class is so intense. Here are notes from the front lines that capture some of the realities of teaching online.

Teaching two intense online classes, E-Learning for Educators and Teaching and Assessing Writing with the 6-Traits means I'm reading a lot of posts. (I've got the classes grouped so the volume of posts isn't burying the students.)

Social Icebreakers

It's the critical first week and the icebreakers have worked well. This is a discussion where every one in the class is talking together. With about 150+ posts in the icebreaker discussions of each class folks are staggering a bit trying to cope with the multiple threads of ideas and introductions. It's like walking through a crowded room where everyone is talking and sharing. I always like to start a class with a big social exchange. It give folks a chance to learn the software while they get to know each other without the pressure of an academic assignment. This is great!

An International Group

I think everyone gets a kick out of learning online with people from around the world. In addition to a large group from Wisconsin, we've got folks from New York, Delaware, Maryland, Minnesota, California, and Vermont. From overseas there are teachers connecting from Korea, Okinawa, Taiwan, Dubai, Germany, and England. I get a kick out of the geographical diversity of each class. (If I had the time I'd create a Google Earth tour of everyone's home...hmm with time enough...)

Ways to read a discussion thread in D2L

Over time I've learned to read these threads using some of the D2L message reading options. I like to check every box in a thread and then view it in printing format. This puts the entire thread up, one on top of the other, in message format. It's easy to read the entire exchange and scroll past the re quoted text. (Sometimes I wish folks would delete the quoted text, but I always leave it up to them to follow my model. I don't want it to be too complicated.)

Changing Subject Lines

When I respond I usually change the subject line. I'm trying to model this method early on so folks learn to capture the essence of the post in the subject area. Some do, some don't.

Mark as read

When I finish reading the posts in message view I scroll to the bottom of the group and click "Mark as read". I then close the window and return to the main discussion. A quirk of D2l is that you have to hit the refresh button on the navigation bar of the message system to get the posts to go from bold to plain (for read).

This helps me see my progress as I work through the posts.

Notes Become Grade Book Comments

I'll often write my responses into the grade comments area as I read the posts. I can put the notes in a field visible to participants, or in a private comment box. This way I capture my thinking about each post as I read and work a bit on my comments for the week. I can then paste them into the public discussion or save them for the private feedback for each learner.

Obsessed with feedback

I want to offer evaluation comments to all students at least once a week. Sometimes this becomes overwhelming and I have to lighten up. A really efficient voice conversion system would help. My right hand has carpal tunnel and a degraded thumb joint making typing a bit painful... but not enough to keep me from it. Still folks deserve timely and regular feedback, from their instructor and from their colleagues.

Good start

Both classes are rolling and packed with articulate interesting people. My job is to help them become a community so they can learn from each other. This is going to be fun!

Dennis/ SanMarcos

Last Call for the Fall!: Assessment in E-learning

Have you realized how powerful assessment is in the online learning environment? Assessment has the capability to drive interactions and engagement, as well as minimize plagiarism in the electronic classroom, strengthen higher-level learning and build e-portfolios. Learn what is needed to become an excellent online course designer while developing your electronic record keeping systems and methods for evaluating student learning, discussion postings and group projects. Become familiar with assessment tools that could make or break your online course.

EDUC 762 900C 3 graduate credits 
September 21 – November 14, 2009

Course Info     Registration

What the students are saying:

"My toolbox runneth over thanks to everyone here. I now have a whole arsenal of tools, a clearer vision of how to use them, and a brain full of ideas."
~ Susan Inak, 30 years in education; Middle School Science Teacher and Media Specialist.

"I feel more comfortable trying new things - actually pressing those buttons to see what else I can do with a tool. I enjoyed our discussions and felt support from everyone in the class. I truly felt like I learned a lot.  Everyone brought more to the material for me with their comments."
~ Melissa Anibas, Nursing Instructor

"My appreciation goes to Dr. Khalsa for the great course that she has created. This course has taught me some great assessment tools that can be used in my future online courses.  I have learned advantages and disadvantages of many of these tools."
~ Dora Szemborski, College Accounting Instructor  

Last Call for the Fall!: a Unique Online Graduate Course with Ann Bell

LAST CALL FOR THE FALL Enroll Now!

•  EDUC 744-966F September 22 – December 4, 2009
  
• 3 graduate credits
• Online Course - No travel to campus required

Web 2.0 provides critical tools to meet the demand for easier and more efficient ways of teaching and learning. Investigate core concepts of how Web 2.0 is impacting learning environments. Explore how to improve instruction using new technologies such as wikis, blogs, podcasts, photo sharing, virtual offices, simulation and digital game-based learning and other emerging technologies. Create personalized and group online learning environments.
EDUC 744 966F 3 graduate credits September 22 – December 4, 2009
EDUC 744 966M 3 graduate credits January 25 – April 9, 2010
Course Info     Registration

“I have truly enjoyed this class, the discussions, readings and the new applications we have learned have stirred a real passion for teaching. I hope we will all bump into each other using these wonderful tools we have learned about. We can continue to collaborate on Web 2.0  I feel like I have a great new tool box. I have already started to use much of it…”
~ Bonnie Spies, Art and English/Reading Teacher, Connecticut

Accomplished writer and online educator, Ann Bell has written three books: Creating Digital Video in Your School; Handheld Computers in Schools and Media Centers, and Exploring Web 2.0:: Second Generation Interactive Tools - Blogs, Podcasts, Wikis, Networking, Virtual Words, And More. 

Attention Information Age Educators: Primary Sources A Great Online Class!

Teaching Information Literacy with Primary Sources 

Learn how to locate authentic digital primary sources in multiple formats to enhance your curriculum. Develop age appropriate learning activities that promote higher level questioning and critical thinking skills while adding excitement to student learning through engaging activities. The course is especially helpful for teachers of AP classes, teachers addressing state and national standards requiring the use of primary sources, and teachers working with National History Day activities. Materials from TPS Direct, the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources professional development program, will be incorporated in the class.
EDUC 744 951F  3 graduate credits September 21 – November 25, 2009

Course Info     Registration

Last Call!

This course is taught by noted Library Media Specialist:


Mary Alice Anderson

School of Education
University of Wisconsin-Stout
140E Voc Rehab Bldg
Menomonie, WI 54751
Phone: (507) 452 1180 after 4:00 p.m. CST
E-Mail: andersonmary@uwstout.edu

The class was what I needed to help me get focused for school! 

Primary Sources, Where have you been? Why have I never used primary sources? I didn’t use them because I didn’t know where to find the resources.I never considered all of the possibilities.

tags: uw-stout, e-learning, online class, librarian, 21cif