By Christine Janzen
The project Steering Committee will provide strategic direction for the development of open-content modules by the Environmental Sustainability Research Centre. Pictured from left are Matt Clare, Dr. Liette Vasseur, Brodie Hague, Dr. Ryan Plummer, Dr. Chris Fullerton, and Christine Janzen.
Learning about sustainability at Brock, and universities across Ontario, is about to change thanks to a grant from e-Campus Ontario. With the funds of nearly $100,000, the Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC) is beginning to develop new open-content material focused on environmental sustainability in practice.
These modules are associated with the ESRC’s new online undergraduate course, Environmental Sustainability in Practice (ENSU 2P02), which will be offered starting in Fall/Winter 2017-2018.
The Open Content Initiative is an integral part of eCampus Ontario’s vision to support and strengthen the online learning experience through digital access to open and free educational resources. The initiative complements Brock University’s own strategic goals when it comes to online learning.
“Serving the 21st-century learner and putting students first is a priority in our current Strategic Mandate Agreement. This is a subject of immense importance at Brock University and in education more broadly,” said Vice-Provost Anna Lathrop. “The success of the ESRC in the open content initiative by eCampus Ontario speaks to the strides being made at Brock towards this strategic priority. It also highlights the manner in which innovative transdisciplinary research can inform novelty in teaching and learning.”
The funds will enhance the ESRC’s ability to utilize innovative pedagogy and various multimedia components to provide students with an enriching and engaging online learning experience.
“There is no doubt this is a significant and sustainable contribution to innovative pedagogy: making the course modules open access means that many learners, in addition to Brock students, can benefit from these collaborations. It’s a win win,” said Jill Grose, Director of the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation.
The project will benefit from the ESRC’s research expertise and transdisciplinary orientation, and provide an opportunity to reach multiple audiences.
“This new venture will communicate some of the amazing research being conducted by ESRC Faculty, Librarians, Students and Affiliates in the field of environmental sustainability. The openness of the modules provides favourable circumstances for far-reaching impacts – undergraduate students may learn about our Master of Sustainability program, collaborations with researchers at other institutions may emerge, and partnerships with governments, organizations and communities may develop,” said Ryan Plummer, ESRC Director and Professor.
The successful grant proposal came about through the collaboration and hard work of the ESRC’s Undergraduate Program Committee. The project is scheduled to be completed by January 2018.
