What's New?
TRU Joins the OERu
Thompson Rivers University (TRU), through its Open Learning Division, and 14 other anchor partners have formed the Open Educational Resource University (OERu) project to address the issue of affordable access to education.
OERu aims to provide “learning to all students worldwide using OER learning materials with pathways to gain credible qualifications from recognized education institutions,” according to WikiEducator, a not-for-profit foundation, OERu does not offer formal teaching nor does it confer degrees or qualifications; however, it does work with partner universities such as TRU. These accredited educational institutions do offer formal teaching and credentials, from diplomas to degrees and post-baccalaureates.
Currently, OERu is exploring methods to provide credit for open educational resource (OER) learning using their existing processes and policies. Through the community service mission of participating institutions, OERu intends to “enable accredited educational institutions to provide assessment and credit pathways for formal academic credit at reduced student fees, which may lead to recognized credentials” for OER learners.
OERu’s mandate to support the estimated 100 million learners worldwide who are qualified for tertiary education but do not have the funding or provisions required to access credible qualifications dictates that it will promote open curriculum, open student support, open assessment and open accreditation to ensure educational growth amid increasing educational costs. By utilizing the free and accessible nature of OERs to facilitate affordable learning and academic growth for students in all echelons of society and at any place in the world, OERu offers people the opportunity to pay reduced amounts and still attain recognized post-secondary credentials, enhancing their potential in the global job market in an uncertain world economy.
For more information about TRU’s involvement in OERu and future plans for the project, read the article “Freeing Up Education” in the New Year’s edition of The Open Standard, the newsletter of Open Learning.
February 1, 2012
TRU-OL Seeking Volunteers
The TRU Student Appeal committee is currently seeking volunteers. The committee meets as needed (typically about six times a year) and convenes for approximately an hour and a half to three hours. Each student volunteer will rotate the responsibility of attending.
If you're an Open Learning student and are interested in joining, please email myvoice@tru.ca.
January 18, 2012
New Science Elective Available
TRU-OL is offering a new online course that aims to make its scientific subject matter interesting for both science students and those in non-science programs. GEOL 1031: Dinosaur Earth explores the Mesozoic era and the factors that allowed dinosaurs to dominate terrestrial habitats for over 160 million years.
"In studying dinosaurs, you have an opportunity to learn about all sorts of related topics,” says Steven Earle, the Open Learning Faculty Member for the new course. “Dinosaurs form the core of this course, but it is also about the evolution of life, geological time, and it goes back to the evolution of the dinosaurs’ ancestors.”
As part of the course, students will have the opportunity to complete a project on a particular dinosaur of their choice, and learn how to perform a search for a fossil in their own area.
This online, paced course begins January 30, 2012, so register soon.
If you would like to learn more about GEOL 1031, read an interview with Earle on the liveande-learn blog.
January 16, 2012
Contribute to Open Learning
TRU-OL is hosting a second strategic planning session at its Vancouver office and is looking for Open Learning students and alumni to participate in a focus group. Participants must be willing to commit to one three-hour meeting and will be paid $50 for their time and input.
The focus group will take place on January 24, 2012, from 6 pm to 9 pm at #233 – 1030 West Georgia St.
Please email Shirley Jackson at sjackson@tru.ca if you are interested in participating.
January 10, 2012
Holiday Hours at TRU
Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning (TRU-OL) will be closed for the holidays. At 12 p.m. on Friday, December 23, the Division will close, and will reopen on Tuesday, January 3.
We would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday break!
December 13, 2011
New Grading Scale for Graduate Programs
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is instituting a new grading scale that will affect graduate courses and programs delivered by TRU-OL. This will affect courses and programs that begin in Winter 2012 and beyond.
- Graduate courses. By the new graduate grading scale, the minimum passing mark in a course is 70%, or a B-. This grading scale will apply to all courses that begin in Winter 2012 and beyond. Fall 2011 courses that are currently underway will use the existing undergraduate grading scale.
- Graduate programs. Students enrolled in a graduate level program must maintain an overall B average in their programs. Further, graduate students may only get one B- grade. Graduate students getting a second B- or lower course grade will be required to repeat the course for a grade of B or better or withdraw from the program, unless the program has compelling reasons for recommending to the AVP, Research and Graduate Studies otherwise. These program-related provisions do not apply to current graduate students, as all students are bound by the program requirements that were in place when they started their program. This requirement will apply to all students starting their graduate program in Winter 2012 and beyond.
NOTE: Graduate programs are free to set standards that are higher than these minimums; please review your program description.
For a full description of the coming changes, please see TRU Policy ED 3-5.
November 8, 2011
Volunteer for Free Tuition
If you are registered in a program with Open Learning and have completed one course or more, you're eligible to join the Student Advisory Committee for Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions and qualify for a tuition-free course.
Student committee members represent TRU-OL students and help shape the future direction of our institution by providing valuable feedback. In appreciation for attending five of six meetings (in person or by teleconference), students will qualify for a tuition-free Open Learning course. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month on alternating months beginning in December 2011 and run from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
If you fit these qualifications and are interested in participating, please email myvoice@tru.ca with a brief overview of your educational background. Selected applicants will be notified by November 30, 2011.
October 13, 2011
TRUe Story Contest: Winner Announced
We are very pleased to announce the winner of our second annual TRUe Story contest.
We received entries from all over the country. We heard from students who are juggling families and full-time jobs alongside their coursework; from those who live in remote communities and rely on dial-up internet; and from a few highfliers who are travelling all over the world, taking courses in order to stay competitive in an overseas job market so they can study where they want and live where they choose.
Our winner, Lee Davidson, is an expat living in Oslo, Norway. He’s a father and coach who started his undergraduate degree in 1996 at Thompson Rivers University (though it was called Cariboo College then). But a serious health condition derailed both Davidson’s athletic career and his academic studies, and he was forced to rethink his goals. Now, after a 15-year hiatus, Davidson is once again taking courses and is back on the trail of that degree.
To read more about Lee Davidson, see his TRUe story. Stay tuned for more stories from Open Learning students, and once again, we extend a very special thanks to everyone who participated in the contest.
August 31, 2011
Course Materials Change
Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning (TRU-OL) is changing the way students will receive their course materials. Effective August 19, 2011, TRU-OL is returning to its prior system of shipping students a complete course package (unless otherwise noted in the detailed course description).
The price of the TRU-OL course package will be automatically included when you register, and you should receive this package within two weeks.
Please call 1-800-663-9711 if you wish to register without any materials.
NOTE: The package will be mailed to your current mailing address that we have on file. To be sure we have the correct address, you may log-in to mytru.ca and view the “Personal Information” field.
August 17, 2011
Volunteer to Qualify for a Tuition-free Course
Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning (TRU-OL) is currently seeking Open Learning students to join the Student Advisory Committee for Course and Program Delivery. Student committee members help TRU-OL to ultimately improve the student experience by providing valuable feedback on course content, program delivery and their own experiences as Open Learning students.
In return for attending five of six meetings (in person or by teleconference) during a one-year period, students will qualify for a tuition-free Open Learning course. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month on each alternate month, beginning in September 2011, and run from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Thank you to everyone who contacted us regarding this volunteer opportunity. We no longer require further submissions, but thank you for your interest, and please check back for future opportunities!
August 16, 2011
Stay Local, Study Global
Participate in TRU-OL’s Virtual International Exchange to gain international experience and the chance to receive $250 off the cost of tuition.
Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning has partnered with the Virtual University of Technologico de Monterrey in Mexico to create a virtual international student exchange. By completing an online course alongside their peers in Mexico, business students have the opportunity to learn more about business in a multicultural environment and experience first-hand the principles of international collaboration.
TRU-OL is offering $250 off the cost of tuition to the first 10 students who register in either course. The registration deadline is August 4. Both courses are paced, which means they have specific start and end dates. BBUS 4451 begins on August 8 and ends on November 6, 2011.
To participate, enrol in either NI 2001-International Negotiation or BBUS 4451-E-Commerce. To apply for the subsidy, please contact us by email or by phone 250.852.6820 (Kamloops and international) or 1.800.663.9711, ext 6820.
Please note: students should check with their program advisor before registering to ensure the course fits their program. Approval from program advisors is highly recommended for all program students.
June 23, 2011
Win $1,000 Toward Your Open Learning Education
Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning (TRU-OL) is launching its second annual TRUe Story contest. Now is your chance to share your TRUe story and be entered to win $1,000 towards your Open Learning education!
Tell us why you chose online and distance education. What factors led you to add an online course to your schedule or enrol in a TRU-OL program? Your story could be motivating and even life changing to someone who is returning to school after a hiatus or is unsure about whether to begin their post-secondary journey.
The winner of the contest will receive a $1,000 tuition voucher for courses delivered by Open Learning and will be featured in our TRUe story book. The contest ends on July 4, 2011, so don't delay!
Find full details on the TRUe Story Contest page.
June 7, 2011
2011 Spring Convocation
Spring Convocation at Thompson Rivers University is fast approaching, but if you haven't registered to participate, you may still watch the ceremony. The event will be broadcast as a live stream on June 9 and 10, and all ceremonies will be available as video recordings later in the day. Both the live stream and the videos will be available on the Convocation Video Gallery.
Ceremonies are held twice a year for TRU and TRU-OL graduates, once in the spring and once in the fall, and include the conferring of academic and honorary degrees.
If you have already graduated and received your credential in the mail, you may still participate in Convocation by registering for the fall ceremony, which is held in October. You will receive a certificate of participation at the ceremony itself. The deadline to register for fall Convocation is August 12, 2011.
Spring Convocation Schedule:
Thursday, June 9, 2011
|
| 10 a.m. |
|
School of Business and Economics |
| 2 p.m. |
|
School of Tourism
Faculty of Human, Social and Educational Development
|
Friday, June 10, 2011
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| 10 a.m. |
|
School of Trades and Technology
Faculty of Arts
|
| 2 p.m. |
|
School of Nursing
Faculty of Science
|
For further details, please see www.tru.ca/convocation.html.
May 26, 2011
General Advisory: Possible Postal Strike
As you may be aware, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) recently voted in favour of a strike. Negotiations are continuing and both CUPW and Canada Post must provide 72-hour notice before service will be interrupted; however, should a postal strike occur, TRU-OL will attempt to reduce any delivery disruptions to students. To reduce the odds that you will be affected by a postal strike, please consider the following:
- If you normally communicate with TRU-OL by mail, you may wish to use the electronic options available (such as email, myTRU or fax) to avoid delivery delays.
- Please review the deadlines of your course assignments and exams and prepare in advance for delivery disruptions. Should a postal strike occur, it may delay requests for library materials, transcripts, etc.
In the event of a postal strike, TRU-OL will post more information online. Please check back to our homepage and the myTRU portal for updates.
May 24, 2011
Award for Teaching Excellence
Merit Award Winner Keith Whitmore on distance learning, technology and the right tool for the job.
Open Learning Faculty Member Keith Whitmore has received an award for Teaching Excellence at the 2011 Merit Awards.
Whitmore, who holds an MBA, Masters of Science and a CGA designation, has taught accounting and math courses by distance since 1988 when he first began teaching at the Open Learning Agency in Burnaby, B.C.
Open Learning became a division of Thompson Rivers University in 2005, and by then the distance education landscape had changed considerably. While students were formally limited to receiving materials by mail and communicating with faculty by telephone, the option of online learning opened new possibilities for learners.
“I am really happy to be a part of Open Learning. It allows you to offer content delivery to a lot of students in a wide geographical area,” Whitmore says. “I have students in China, in Mexico, in London, England – today you really don’t need bricks-and-mortar.”
While Whitmore doesn't believe in adopting the newest technology in all situations and for all students (he finds that most students still prefer to talk on the old-school telephone when seeking help with a concept), he is excited by the potential Open Learning has to teach students how to expand their education even when their courses are complete.
“As a university, sometimes it is not so much what we teach people as the tools we give them to learn on their own,” Whitmore explains. “When my 16-year-old son’s PlayStation broke, he went on the Internet to find directions on how to fix it. The Internet is a fantastic tool, and by teaching students using that tool, we are teaching them how to take advantage of it.”
Keith Whitmore and the other recipients of the 2011 Merit Awards were recognized at the Annual Staff Awards Ceremony on April 19 on the TRU campus in Kamloops.
April 21, 2011
The New TRU-OL Homepage, Explained
The TRU-OL homepage has undergone some big changes. We hope the new design will make it easier for our web visitors to find the resources and services they’re looking for.
The navigational links on the left side of the site have been overhauled to provide better access to different sections of the website. All of the former links may still be found on the top navigation bar. In addition, we removed the Quicklinks at the bottom of the page and redistributed them on the homepage to make the content more accessible. Finally, we’ve highlighted the latest Open Learning news and events and have placed more emphasis on programs and courses so visitors can more easily get to this information directly from the homepage.
The revamped homepage is designed to improve visitors’ experience on the TRU-OL website. We hope you find the site has improved. If you would like to send us a comment, please contact us by email.
April 18, 2011
TRU 2011 Distinguished Alumni Awards
Shima Iuchi, BFA '03, receives a 2011 Alumni Award
Each year, the Thompson Rivers University Alumni Association recognizes graduates who have made outstanding contributions in their field or community. Shima Iuchi, who received the award in the Arts and Culture category, also happens to be a TRU alumnus who took advantage of the flexibility of Open Learning.
When Iuchi enrolled in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program at TRU in 1999, it was her second postsecondary venture: back in her native Japan, she had earned a Diploma in Art Management from the Seian University of Art and Design. But after four years working on the business side of art, a case of wanderlust led her to Kamloops, BC, where she was inspired by the work being done at the TRU Visual Arts department and enrolled in the BFA program.
However, she didn’t want to drag out the process and take classes while she was working. In order to graduate by her target, 2003, she spent one summer completing courses through Open Learning.
Today Iuchi works as a Lab Faculty Member in the Visual Arts department at TRU. Her artwork – which includes handmade paper, photography, sketches and video – has been featured in solo and group exhibitions throughout Canada, the United States and Japan.
The Thompson Rivers University Distinguished Alumni Awards dinner will recognize Iuchi and other award recipients on April 8, 2011 at 6 p.m. Phone 250.828.5264 or email advancementevents@tru.ca for tickets. For information on other Distinguished Alumni Award recipients, see here.
March 25, 2011
The 2011 Giving Back Campaign
Many TRU and TRU-OL students struggle to finance their education. The annual Giving Back campaign aims to help students in financial need achieve their educational goals by offering awards paid for by payroll contributions and donations by TRU employees.
Contributors can choose where they would like their donation to go: to an existing endowment or memorial award, to the Foundation Open Award (which assists students in greatest financial need) or towards a new award, which can be started if another four employees also wish to support that program and will contribute $5 or more per pay period.
Currently 129 employees contribute through payroll deductions. This year, the goal of the campaign is to increase that number to 200. For more information on the campaign and to find pledge forms, see here.
The Giving Back campaign runs from March 7-25.
March 7, 2011
Global Competency Credential Launched
If you've embarked on any international or intercultural experiences, you probably already know the benefits of doing so. Now you can make it official and receive recognition for your global extracurricular activities on your academic transcripts.
The new Global Competency credential offers TRU and TRU-OL students enrolled in a certificate, diploma or degree program formal recognition for their intercultural or international experiences. (Students can also apply for the credential up to one year after completing a program.)
So if you’ve engaged in intercultural volunteer work, if you’ve been living abroad or studying a second language, your experiences may be eligible. Once the credential is achieved, it will appear on your official TRU transcript and you’ll receive a "Certificate of Recognition – Global Competency."
For more information about what activities and experiences apply, visit www.tru.ca/global.
The first orientation session is on Thursday, March 10, 2011. Not in commuting distance to the TRU campus? Stay tuned for more information on delivery options.
March 2, 2011
2010 Teaching Excellence Awards for Open Learning Faculty Members
TRU-OL annually recognizes up to two individuals who represent the best qualities of our faculty members. Award recipients receive an engraved plaque plus a monetary award towards professional development activities or materials of their choice related to their work as a TRU Open Learning Faculty Member. Please get involved and nominate a faculty member via the application form found on the OL Teaching Excellence Awards page .
December 2, 2010
TRU unlocks the possibilities to education in Vancouver
By dskoglund on November 2, 2010
Vancouver is even closer to unlocking the possibilities to education as the Open Learning Division of Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is slated to commence operations at its Vancouver office. The Grand Opening celebration, which also recognizes TRU’s 40th Anniversary, is on November 3 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm in the new office, located at 1030 West Georgia Street.
Construction of the office was completed in early September and is now ready for Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning (TRU-OL) students and OL Faculty Members to utilize. Judith Murray, Vice President, TRU-OL, explained that the OL Administration always intended to have a Vancouver presence for Open Learning in order to help fulfill its mandate to provide open and distance education to the province of British Columbia.
"The majority of our students and the majority of the Open Learning Faculty reside in the lower mainland," Murray said. "The presence is important to keep TRU-OL top of mind for prospective students from the lower mainland and to best serve the needs of our Open Learning Faculty Members."
The new office will have a limited complement of staff, according to Murray, who will be overseeing the facility which will be used for exam purposes as well as a space for OL staff and OL Faculty Members to conduct meetings and training. TRU-OL’s new Vancouver-based office will also provide information and serve the needs of interested public looking for information regarding their options for online and distance education.
"This is a very exciting time for students around B.C. and the Lower Mainland, who will now have even more options as they pursue their post-secondary education," said Ida Chong, Minister of Science and Universities. "The opening of the Open Learning Division of Thompson Rivers University will provide a vital link for students to prepare for their future studies or meet personal goals."
November 2, 2010
New Degree Programs
The First Nations Applied Economics program will provide key foundational skills and knowledge to assist in the development of a First Nations economic infrastructure and support long term benefits in the development of residential and commercial enterprises on First Nation lands.
The primary goal of the Accounting Technician Diploma is to train accounting technicians, who generally work as supervisors in accounting departments or as para-professionals in public accounting firms.
July 16, 2010