A Class of One

Students who can’t get to the classroom can have the classroom come to them, through Malaspina’s accredited online courses.
”Online education allows students to take classes when and where they are. For anyone who cannot attend a conventional classroom – perhaps because of work, family responsibilities, distance, or disability – online courses make education accessible,” said <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Tony Bellavia, career and academic director for Malaspina University-College. As an added bonus, many online courses are less expensive than in-class counterparts and registration can be done online – at 2 a.m. if necessary.

One of the newest courses available online is Malaspina University-College’s English 067, which gives adult basic education students the equivalent of English 12.

“Online courses offer unmatched flexibility,” said instructor Jean Maltesen, who adapted English 067 for online delivery. “Each student is literally a class of one, able to take the course on his or her schedule.”

Maltesen has taught adult basic education courses at Malaspina for 13 years and is currently taking online courses towards a University of Calgary masters’ degree.

By the end of the pilot session of English 067, students were confident enough to create original oral presentations for the class, which were submitted through virtual live sessions, by Power Point, or as MP3 files. All demonstrated impressive academic and technical mastery, Maltesen said.

The online version of English 067 has now been added to www.bccampus.ca, which allows students from throughout B.C. to enroll. As of August 3, seven students had enrolled for the next session, which starts September 7.

“The fact that the course would be available online is an incredible advantage, so they can pursue this goal while retaining a job,” said Ethos Career Management Group President Theresa Mayoh. She has worked with many people who left school early for jobs, especially in resource industries like fishing or forestry.  Her company serves approximately 5,000 central island job-seekers annually.

“I think not having Grade 12 can definitely be a barrier. It’s a benchmark that employers use. It often comes up with the older worker – either as a stumbling block employment-wise, or as a personal goal they want to accomplish,” Mayoh said. Completing Grade 12 allows them to move ahead in their career, enroll in training courses, change careers or obtain a better job.

• For more information about adult basic education online, go to https://viu.ca/abe

Online courses are equally beneficial for those in mid-career, who need new skills to keep pace with job requirements, change careers, advance in a current career, or complete a

degree. Popular online upgrading programs offered by Malaspina University-College include desktop and web publishing (http://www.pr.viu.ca/dwpw.htm);

an internet essentials certificate program (https://viu.ca/pdt/); and a technical communications certificate program (http://www.pr.viu.ca/techcomm.htm).

Malaspina’s Applied Business Technology certificate courses are also available online. These courses lead to certification as an administrative assistant in an accounting office, legal office, or general business. For information, visit https://viu.ca/abt/

Mayoh said employers place a higher value on those who continually upgrade their skills. During her 12 years’ in employment services, she has seen the benefits of life-long learning.

“I see employers looking at future employees in a much different light if they’ve taken recent training,” she said. Employees who upgrade their skills are seen as goal-oriented, open to change, flexible, and ready to learn what is required on their new job.

Job-seekers who upgrade their skills gain a boost in self-confidence and feel better able to compete in the marketplace, she added. These benefits apply to all job-seekers, whether completing grade 12 or a degree.

Online learning is also available for those completing a degree. Malaspina is continually adapting academic courses for online delivery. Already available are courses in Biology, Child and Youth care, Creative Writing, Geography, Geology, Health Services Administration, History, Human Services, Media Studies, Quantative Methods, Science, and Tourism Management (https://viu.ca/calendar/).

Finally, students can take non-credit online learning courses to explore new interests, engage their minds, have fun, or hone a hobby. A long list of Continuing Education online courses is available at https://viu.ca/pdt/.