Athabasca University
This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. (February 2020) |
Other name | |
---|---|
Motto | Learning for Life[1] |
Type | Public university specializing in online distance education |
Established | 1970 |
President | Alex Clark[2] |
Students | 40,630[3] |
Undergraduates | 35,520[3] |
Postgraduates | 5,110[3] |
Location | , Alberta , Canada |
Campus | Online, rural and urban |
Faculty & Staff | 1,233[3] |
Colours | Blue and orange |
Affiliations | |
Website | www |
Athabasca University (
Origins
[edit]Athabasca University was created by the Alberta government in 1970 as part of an expansion of higher education to cope with rising enrolment at the time. In the late 1960s, the University of Alberta (U of A) had long been established, the University of Calgary was created through new legislation, and an Order in Council had created the University of Lethbridge.[6] In 1967, the Manning government announced its intention to establish a fourth public university, but this would be delayed by three years as the government considered different proposals. The U of A wanted to expand rather than see another university open in Edmonton to compete with it. One proposal favoured establishing a Christian university instead of a secular one. Another early suggestion was an "Alberta academy" that would take credits students had earned at multiple universities, evaluate them for transfer, and perhaps award degrees. A Department of Education ad hoc group favoured the establishment of a fourth public university.[6]
A group of U of A graduates including Preston Manning influenced the development of an independent fourth university. In 1970, Grant MacEwan, then the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, established
In 1984,
In 1994,
Mandate
[edit]The initial mandate for Athabasca University dictated that
First president and early years
[edit]In April 1971, Timothy C. Byrne was appointed the first president of Athabasca University, and he assumed office in June that year.[6]
The initial governing authority of the university had eight members as well as a broad range of powers to set up the new university. On 2–3 July 1970, they met for the first time, and Carl W. Clement was the first chair. It was expected by the government of the day that
The
The government of Peter Lougheed in 1971 brought changes including a cabinet portfolio specifically for post-secondary education. The newly elected Conservative government was opposed to building a new university in Edmonton, but architectural plans were permitted to continue. A proposal was made to the government to test the new model for three to five years, and if it succeeded,
In the summer of 1972, the new deputy minister of Alberta Advanced Education stated there was a demand for lifelong continuing education. There was also a need for an "Alberta academy" that would evaluate university courses taken at multiple institutions and award degrees based on its evaluations. Meanwhile,
In 1972, a new Order in Council was issued to include only a new pilot project for distance education.[6]
Piloting distance education
[edit]Trial and error characterized the pilot period, as there was no similar model to follow for the mandate Athabasca University was given. In 1973,
Contrary to much current belief, Athabasca University was not modelled after the Open University, but was developed in its present form during the pilot project.
AU became aware of what the Open University was doing when, during the final year of the project, a representative went to Milton Keynes to discover any methods its staff might have devised to speed up production.[6]
In 1975, plans came together to reach out to students through field services tutors and regional learning resource centres. In 1976, the first part-time telephone tutors were appointed, 24 in total. The tutor role was to facilitate learning, not to teach the course. Tutors were assigned blocks of between 20 and 40 students each, and
An early test project for a learning resource centre had books and tapes relevant to the courses available at branches of public libraries throughout Alberta. Although the libraries were keen on the idea, students preferred to remain in their homes to learn. By 1975, the median age was between 35 and 40, and there were 725 students. A minority of students had only completed Grade 9.[6]
Inviting students to register in a course and then forcing them to wait an unconscionable length of time for delivery of units was obviously not a way to establish a reputation as a reliable institution.[6]
In 1975 at the end of the pilot project, an agency was appointed to evaluate its success. A recommendation was made to the Alberta government that the university be made a permanent member of the province's university system. It was also to remain an open university. Under the chairmanship of Edward Checkland, the university gained permanency.[6]
In 1976, Sam Smith took over as president, and the university's permanency was established through an act of the Legislature of Alberta.[6]
Early collaborations
[edit]The first collaboration the university embarked on was with Keyano College, which eventually led to the opening of a regional learning office in Fort McMurray, Alberta. (This regional office would later close.) In 1976, North Island College took on the challenge of delivering many of
In the mid-seventies, two young Canadians, one of whom was the son of a prominent Edmonton family, were indicted in an English court for attempting to smuggle drugs into the country. They were each sentenced to a lengthy prison term and incarcerated in one of England's most infamous prisons. Each registered in one of Athabasca University's first three courses, becoming the first two in a long list of prison inmates to join its student body.[6]
In 1985,
Modern partnerships and collaborations
[edit]The university maintains more than 350 collaborative agreements with other Canadian and international educational institutions, with professional associations, with businesses, and with Indigenous institutions and communities.[9]
Through Athabasca University's partnerships with other post-secondary institutions, students have options. For example, they can add an Athabasca University course to their program at a partner institution, take classroom versions of Athabasca University courses at a partner institution or enrol in an Athabasca programs while studying at or working for a partner institution.[10]
Through established transfer agreements, Athabasca University also recognizes previous education that obtained through colleges, technical institutes, or professional organizations. Block credit transfer arrangements have been established with numerous educational providers across Canada, granting program graduates a specified number of credits toward a particular degree.[11]
A range of academic partnerships are in place, including a recent announcement in early 2019 with Lakeland College.[12]
Amazon Web Services
[edit]Athabasca University is the first Canadian post-secondary institution to enter into a formal collaboration with Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS).[13] This collaboration modernizes
Canadian Football League Players' Association (CFLPA)
[edit]In June 2014, Athabasca University formally partnered with the CFLPA as the official education provider for their players – both past and present.
Western Hockey League (WHL)
[edit]Since 2009, the WHL and Athabasca University have partnered, offering fully accredited university courses to any WHL player interested in pursuing post-secondary studies while playing in the WHL. For the 2018/2019 hockey season, over 75 players have been taking courses through Athabasca University.[17]
Professional Hockey Players' Association (PHPA)
[edit]Partnering with the PHPA, members of the association have access to online courses that they can complete through Athabasca University.[18]
Blue Seal Program
[edit]The Achievement in Business Competencies Program, also known as the Blue Seal Program, gives Alberta-certified trade and occupational certificate holders the opportunity to earn a business credential that is recognized by employers. A Blue Seal illustrates they have the skills needed to succeed in business.[19]
Education delivery models
[edit]The majority of Athabasca University's courses are taught through online distance education, but some courses or components of courses are taught in-person, face to face. The major education delivery models at
- Individual study: Students are provided with the textbooks, computer software, and video material required. A preset recommended schedule comes with each course. Each course has a professor, as with any university course. This person publishes a series of learning activities, readings and assessments. That publication becomes additional reading and activity for the student. Assignments are submitted to the professor via email or more commonly via the Moodle assignment drop box. The final exam is administered at Athabasca's learning centres or a partner university, college or accredited individual. Students have up to six months to finish their course, unless they have received a student loan, in which case, they have up to four months. Courses start at the beginning of each month. Most courses are now augmented with additional resources and activities using the Moodle LMS
- Collaborative, online: Courses in the graduate programs are paced, usually beginning three times a year. The primary delivery platform is the Moodle Learning Management System, that is augmented by web conferencing using Adobe Connect and social networking using elgg-based Athabasca Landing
- Grouped study: Offered primarily to students physically in Alberta, this method allows students to get together with other students in the same course, and study in a manner similar to that of a regular university. Students studying in this method have up to four months to complete their course. Courses start in September and January.[20]
Centre for Distance Education
[edit]In addition to delivering courses and programs primarily through online distance education, Athabasca University has a Centre for Distance Education (CDE).[21] Since 2019, the CDE has existed in name only, and its staff and programs are now part of the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences (FHSS). The former CDE, led by a core faculty and supported by additional sessional instructors, offered graduate-level courses and programs that taught other educators how to develop, design and deliver online education. The CDE was home to North America's first online Doctor of Education in Distance Education, and it also offered a Master of Education in Distance Education and post-baccalaureate certificates and diplomas in distance education technology, instructional design, and technology-based learning. These programs and associated teaching methods continue to thrive in the FHSS.
Distance education research
[edit]Accreditation
[edit]Athabasca University reports to the government through the Minister of Advanced Education and is publicly funded through the Province of Alberta. The university's governing council is authorized to grant degrees through the Post-Secondary Learning Act along with governing its own affairs. Members of the governing council are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in council.[23]
Under the Post-Secondary Learning Act,[24] Athabasca University is considered a "Comprehensive Academic and Research University" (CARUs).[25] CARUs offer a range of academic and professional programs, which generally lead to undergraduate and graduate level credentials and have a strong research focus.[25]
The university is accredited with the United States by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.[26]
Select memberships
[edit]- Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
- Association of Commonwealth Universities
- Canadian Association for Graduate Studies
- Canadian Virtual University
- International Council for Open and Distance Education
- International Association of Universities[27]
- University of the Arctic
- Organization of American States (OAS) Consortium of Universities.[28]
Academics
[edit]Research
[edit]Notable faculty
[edit]- Martin Connors, Canada Research Chair, space science, discovered Trojan asteroid associated with planet Earth (2011)
- Joseph Pivato, professor of Comparative Literature who published eleven books on Canadian authors and ethnic minority writing.
- Tracey Lindberg, Canada Research Chair, indigenous knowledge and law, many publications on social and legal questions
- George Siemens, assistant professor, distance education, theorist in distance education, creator of theory of Connectivism, leader in learning analytics
Scholarships and bursaries
[edit]The Government of Canada sponsors an Aboriginal Bursaries Search Tool that lists over 680 scholarships, bursaries, and other incentives offered by governments, universities, and industry to support Aboriginal post-secondary participation. Athabasca University bursaries for Aboriginal, First Nations and Métis students include: Alberta Historical Resources Foundation; Syncrude Canada Ltd./Athabasca University Aboriginal Scholarship; Frank and Agnes Cardinal Neheyiwak Bursary; Harold Cardinal Essay Prize for Aboriginal Students; Canative Scholarship for Métis Students;
Notable people
[edit]Some notable people have studied through Athabasca University, including Alberta politician Debby Carlson,[35] Olympic bobsleigh racer Christian Farstad,[36] former Alberta Premier Ralph Klein, professional hockey player Alyn McCauley,[37] and cross-country skier Milaine Thériault.[38]
Controversy
[edit]In 2012, it was revealed that Athabasca University was among institutions of higher education involved in illegal donations to the provincial Progressive Conservative party of Alberta. The university spent $10,675 on Conservative fundraising events, including golf tournaments and dinners.[40] The university president retired early, and an interim president, Peter MacKinnon, was appointed by the university governing council.
Coates Report
[edit]Facing financial pressures in 2015, Athabasca University underwent an independent third-party review to report to ascertain long-term solutions.[41] The report[42] found that there was a significant student demand for flexible, online post-secondary options, but that Athabasca University needed a clear and shared vision for the future.[43]
Looking forward
[edit]Looking to the future and guided by a new president, Neil Fassina, Athabasca University charted a renewed course. Building off recommendations from the Coates Report, Imagine: Transforming Lives, Transforming Communities[44] was a strategic plan forward, built out of extensive collaboration with the entire Athabasca University community and acted as a roadmap with priorities to guide them on the path forward.
Imagine: Transforming Lives, Transforming Communities
[edit]Imagine: Transforming Lives, Transforming Communities[45] is a strategic plan that charted the path forward for Athabasca University crystallized the university's mission and mandate. Important priorities were enacted, including a partnership with Amazon Web Services to transform and update its Information Technology infrastructure.[46][47] A range of educational partnerships and collaborations also increased opportunities for learners to have barriers moved for access to university-level education, from Bow Valley College[48] to Aspen View Public Schools and Northern Lakes College.[49]
Student representation
[edit]Undergraduate students
[edit]Undergraduate students at Athabasca University are represented by the Athabasca University Students' Union. The AUSU head office is in
AUSU was officially incorporated as of 16 July 1992, and was formalized as a registered Alberta society until students' unions in Alberta were granted recognition under the Post-Secondary Learning Act. On 13 September 2004 the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta approved an order in council establishing "The Students' Association of Athabasca University".
AUSU offers services to its members including but not limited to: an optional health & dental plan student awards, a free subscription to LinkedIn Learning, student advocacy, and Athabasca University course evaluations.[50] Student media at Athabasca University is provided by the official publication The Voice Magazine. Previously published on paper, the magazine since 2001 is published exclusively online in HTML and PDF format.[51]
Graduate students
[edit]Visiting and program students at the graduate level are represented by the Athabasca University Graduate Students' Association.[52] The organization was founded in 2010, and approved by the Alberta Advanced Education.
Arms
[edit]
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See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "About
AU : Coat of Arms". Athabasca University. Retrieved 19 August 2014. - ^ Tran, Paula (3 February 2023). "Athabasca University board of directors fires president, hires new one | Globalnews.ca". Calgary, Alberta: Global News. Archived from the original on 18 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ^ a b c d Athabasca University Annual Report to Alberta Enterprise and Advanced Education for the year ended March 31, 2013 (PDF). Athabasca University. 2013. pp. 10, 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
- ^ "Comprehensive academic and research universities (CARUs)". Types of publicly funded institutions. Government of Alberta. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
- ^ Zdeb, Chris (16 June 2014). "June 16, 1985: Athabasca University opens for distance education". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on 20 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Byrne, T.C. (1989). Athabasca University: The Evolution of Distance Education. Calgary, Alberta: University of Calgary Press. p. 135. ISBN 0-919813-51-8.
- ^ "About
AU : History". Athabasca University. Retrieved 22 August 2014. - ^ "Celebrating 25 years of disruption with Athabasca University's online MBA program". Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ Government of Alberta. "Athabasca University". Government of Alberta - Studying in Alberta. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ Athabasca University. "Collaborations & Partnerships". Athabasca University. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ Athabasca University. "Academic Partnership Delivery". Athabasca University - Academic Partnership Delivery. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ Collinge, Brendan (17 January 2019). "Lakeland College, Athabasca University to offer new degree options". My Lloydminster Now. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
- ^ Graney, Juris (3 November 2018). "Athabasca University reaches deal with cloud-computing giant Amazon". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ Shekar, Shruti (30 October 2018). "Athabasca University immerses itself in 5 year digital transformation plan, uses Amazon Web Services". IT World Canada. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ Athabasca University. "Imagine: Transforming lives, transforming communities". Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ Athabasca University. "RISE: Athabasca University's Digital Transformation, Our 5 Year IT Strategy". Athabasca University - Office of the Vice President Information Technology and Chief Information Officer. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ WHL Scholarship (12 March 2019). "Record 405 WHL Scholarships awarded to graduate players for 2018-19 academic year". Western Hockey League.
- ^ Shoalts, David (17 February 2001). "Safety net for life after hockey". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ Faculty of Business, Athabasca University. "Blue Seal Program". Athabasca University - Faculty of Business. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
{{cite web}}
:|last=
has generic name (help) - ^ "Who studies at
AU ". Athabasca University. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 9 September 2007. - ^ "Athabasca University Centre for Distance Education". Athabasca University. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
- ^ Zawacki-Richter, O.; Anderson, T.; Tuncay, N. (2010). "The Growing Impact of Open Access Distance Education Journals: A Bibliometric Analysis". International Journal of e-Learning & Distance Education. 24 (3). Retrieved 22 August 2014.
- ^ "Athabasca University Regulation, Alta. Reg. 50/2004". CanLII. Archived from the original on 10 November 2007. Retrieved 9 September 2007.
- ^ Province of Alberta (1 February 2019). "Post-Secondary Learning Act". Alberta Queen's Printer: Chapter P-19.5 – via Statutes of Alberta, 2003.
- ^ a b Government of Alberta. "Types of publicly-funded institutions". Alberta.ca. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
- ^ "Database of Institutions Accredited by Recognized U.S. Accrediting Organizations". Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 9 September 2007.
- ^ "International Association of Universities". Archived from the original on 1 May 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
- ^ OAS (1 August 2009). "OAS - Organization of American States: Democracy for peace, security, and development". www.oas.org. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
- ^ "The chalkboard is dead: researchers". Maclean's Magazine. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 9 September 2007.
- ^ Athabasca University (30 January 2019). "Additional Canada Research Chair coming to
AU ". Athabasca University - The Hub. Retrieved 28 March 2019. - ^ "Athabasca University". Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
- ^ "Facts & Statistics". Athabasca University. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 16 September 2007.
- ^ "COL Chairs Programme". Commonwealth of Learning. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
- ^ Aboriginal Bursaries Search Tool
- ^ "Centre for Innovative Management Update". Athabasca University. Retrieved 22 August 2007.
- ^ "Olympian joins the Canadian Olympic Committee in new role". Canadian Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on 6 September 2007. Retrieved 22 August 2007.
- ^ Koshan, Terry. "No end in sight". CANOE. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2007.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Milaine Thériault". Cross Country Canada. Archived from the original on 7 August 2007. Retrieved 22 August 2007.
- ^ "Athabasca University at a Glance".
- ^ "Alberta colleges, universities made illegal donations to Tories". CBC. 20 March 2012.
- ^ CBC News (19 January 2017). "Troubled Athabasca University to undergo third-party review". CBC News. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
- ^ Coates, Ken (1 May 2017). "Independent Third-Party Review of Athabasca University" (PDF). Athabasca University.
- ^ Athabasca University (28 March 2019). "Independent report charts sustainable future for university". Athabasca University.
- ^ Athabasca University. "Imagine: Transforming lives, transforming communities". Athabasca University. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
- ^ Athabasca University. "Imagine: Transforming Lives, Transforming Communities". Athabasca University. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
- ^ Graney, Juris (3 November 2018). "Athabasca University reaches deal with cloud-computing giant Amazon". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
- ^ Graney, Juris (8 June 2018). "Athabasca University gets $4.9-million grant to upgrade outdated IT". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
- ^ Athabasca University (10 December 2018). "Announcement: Bow Valley College and Athabasca University Collaboration". Athabasca University. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
- ^ Staff (5 October 2018). "Aspen View inks deal with NLC, university". The Lakeside Leader. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
- ^ "Home". Athabasca University Students' Union. 1 December 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
- ^ "A Publication of the Students of Athabasca University". The Voice Magazine. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2015.[failed verification]
- ^ "Athabasca University Graduate Students' Association". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ^ "Athabasca University". Canadian Heraldic Authority. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
Further reading
[edit]- Small, Michael W. "A Case Study of Educational Policy-making: The Establishment of Athabasca University." Ph.D. diss., University of Alberta, 1980.