The Future Learner’s Experience at Algonquin College

Posted on Thursday, January 9th, 2020

What is the future of personalized learning at Algonquin College? Read an excerpt from Algonquin College’s Learner-driven Strategy Implementation below for an example of a future learner’s experience of lifelong learning in 2050.

You can also download the full plan here to learn how the College plans to implement its strategy to become a leader in personalized learning.

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The future learner’s experience of lifelong learning at Algonquin College

It’s 2050. Chaaya exits her holo-con with the hiring manager of the international trade firm and indulges in a momentary — highly dignified, of course — “happy dance”.

She got the job.

It was the micro-credential from Algonquin College that made it possible. And as Chaaya reflects on that, she realizes just how many times Algonquin has contributed to her success in the past 20 years, going right back to that first program when she was 19… She remembers that year vividly. She had the opportunity after high school to do a placement with a UK company through a family friend. But that was going to push back her ability to start school in the fall — by a whole month. Fortunately, Algonquin’s flexible schedules and timetables allowed her to take the placement and begin her studies in October, without missing a beat. She was able to firm up all of her registration and timetabling while overseas.

That work experience proved invaluable. Chaaya graduated from her first program and got a job almost immediately. About eight years later, she decided she was ready for a change and went back to Algonquin College to shift her professional focus.

By that point, she was engaged and living downtown with her fiancé: they both needed to work to pay for their condo. Once again, Algonquin’s flexible, learner-driven approach made it possible for Chaaya to have her educational experience her way. She was able to structure her learning around ongoing work commitments and take full advantage of digital learning options whether she was at the College or at her job.

Best of all, she was in constant communication with her Universal Design for Learning certified instructor, who helped her stay focused on her learning goals, came up with creative ideas when there were conflicts between Chaaya’s work demands and school, and facilitated the most constructive group work Chaaya had ever done.

With her new diploma, Chaaya pursued her updated career path. Along the way, when opportunities arose, she picked up micro-credentials to bolster her resume. And that’s how she got to be here today. Now a mom with two awesome kids and a once-in-a-lifetime global professional opportunity, Chaaya knew she had all the right skills for this new job: she just needed the proof. There was just a month until the posting closed. No time for a full course of study. Chaaya returned once again to Algonquin College and in the space of three weeks was able to obtain not only the requisite micro-credential but also a digital credential that she could share instantly with her prospective employer and add to her virtual employability portfolio (VEP) for her network to see.

She and the hiring manager had clicked on holo-cons before, but today, with the news that she got the job, Chaaya was made to feel like she was already part of the team. She couldn’t wait to embark on this newest chapter of her professional life.

 

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More on the LDP Strategy Implementation:

The Learner-driven Strategy Implementation was created this fall and approved by the College’s Board of Governors on December 16. Students were recruited to join and support all three working groups that developed the plan. The Learner-driven team is also working with the Students’ Association to ensure the plan aligns with their priorities.

The Learner-driven Strategy Implementation promises that “Algonquin College will be the College of choice for learners who want programs and services customized to their individual needs, schedules and educational, professional and life experiences.”


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