Post-Secondary Education in the Rural Setting
Rural students are actively seeking educational opportunities in the towns and communities in which they live. Students in rural communities can enjoy the benefits of studying in one of the many Manitoba rural sites offering quality education. If you, a friend or family member are considering furthering your education, here are few things to consider when choosing your educational institution.
Small Class Sizes
As compared to the larger university and college campuses in Winnipeg, where there can be up to 60 students in a class, the average class size at rural sites is typically 15 students. The benefit of these smaller classes is that instructors can spend more time personally answering questions and giving one-on-one help to those that require or seek further clarification. Also, smaller class sizes enable instructors to be more flexible in the way they present their material, allowing them to accommodate the various learning styles of the students.
Student Friendly Atmosphere
Front office staff and administration personnel in rural settings get to know you on a first name basis. Make no mistake, the personal attention you receive as a student at a smaller campus can be the difference between success and failure. At a rural campus you are not just another student number. Staff is more than willing to spend time discussing any questions you might have, anything from the program you are taking, to individual courses you are presently enrolled in, or planning for the future.
Money/Time Savings
Naturally one of the greatest benefits that attendance at a rural site has to offer is location. The short drive from your door to the campus has its advantages. The close proximity to home offers opportunities such as: better chances for a part time job, more time for homework, and less money spent on gas. With a shorter drive to school the stress level experienced by the students is decreased as traffic congestion and the distance driven on hazardous winter roads is avoided or reduced. Free parking is often available at rural campuses and helps lighten the cost on the student’s pocketbook.
Facilities
Facilities at the rural sites can be as good as or better than those you may find in the city. Students have the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge by using new high-end computer labs, programs, and by having full access to the Internet. The rural sites may often incorporate upgrades and improve curriculum faster than their city counterparts.
Rural education is often delivered by multiple partners, such as Red River College, Assiniboine Community College, The University of Winnipeg, University of Manitoba and Campus Manitoba to name a few. Rural students can plan their degrees or certificates while sampling courses from the various institutions. Advantages gained by receiving your education in this fashion include, but are not restricted to; smaller class sizes, friendly staff, time/money savings, and easier access to facilities. Rural sites accommodate students of all ages into a wide variety of educational programs. Visit your rural campus for more information.
Text by Stanley Friesen, Kyle Guenther, Steve Blatz, Tim Falk, Rhea Fuchs, Nykolas Andrusiak, Anna Markwart and Chris Peters
Decoding Distance Learning
Text by Mary-Ann Shukla
With increased availability of distance learning students can become overwhelmed with the vocabulary and options available to them. Each institution has its version of what is fundamental asynchronous and synchronous learning. Asynchronous learning delivery is not in real time; materials are accessed or presented as taped or in paper format. Synchronous learning is real–time according to a fixed schedule such as live video feed and learning while your instructor may be in a different location but with video and sound being captured and transmitted live to you to wherever you are.
Both methods allow students a portion of control over how and when they will be learning. The difference lies in how much control the students have, additional resources required to access materials and ultimately, the evaluation methods used to assess learning.
e-Learning courses are reliant on a computer such as WebCT, an online (asynchronous and synchronous) course delivery system. It’s important for your learning experience that you are capable of navigating a computer and the Internet easily. WebCT is easy to use if you have basic computer experience, but if you’re not comfortable, or do not have access to a computer and internet, you may not get the most out of your learning experience. A system that includes high speed internet, a sound card, speakers, printer and a clear monitor would all be an investment in success.
The software you work on at home should be compatible with your alternate work sites allowing you to move between your home and the institution you may be visiting or studying at. Software incompatibility when you print at an alternate site will cause you to lose valuable time. Time or lack thereof is one of the many reasons students cite as being a motivating factor for taking distance learning.
Flexible Study can include independent study and scheduled time slots when you are in touch with other students and the instructor. This scheduled time may include transmission via LearnLinc, live video streaming, or other means such as teleconference, all vocabulary for delivery methods. Students must make themselves aware of the frequency and delivery method being used for their particular course, along with the particular hardware/software requirements that accompanies the version that is being used.
Distance Learning courses are available on either an open enrollment or a term basis. In course descriptions, courses are identified as either OPEN or TERM.
An OPEN enrollment course may be started any time but must be completed within a specified time period. The time frame begins the date your course package is issued and ends on the date specified on your course registration Information sheet and receipt. Time frames vary from one month to one year for specific courses or institutions.
Many courses are available on a TERM basis and must be completed by the end of that term. Most TERM courses involve teleconferencing and/or telephone tutoring. TERM courses have a given start and end date in fall, winter, or spring terms. Some term courses are offered on a cyclical basis such as once a year.
Teleconference courses are offered on a term basis only, which usually begin in September, January, and April, and must be completed by the end of the term. Teleconference courses are run with groups of students with minimum and maximum enrollments. Students are registered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Classes are conducted over the telephone using a teleconference bridge that enables the instructor and students to communicate. To access the bridge, you dial a toll-free number and enter a pass code. Each course includes a series of one-hour, one-and-one-half-hour, or two-hour teleconference classes.
The internet is recommended to research more extensively the various institutions and methods discussed. Distance Education is delivered by most institutions in Canada and across the world. Students are no longer limited by geography. It is essential when taking part in distance learning to become an informed consumer, to access which method institution and course best fits your needs.
Back to School Shopping
Text by Sheila Kolesar
It’s been a great summer so far. You’ve taken your children on a “field trip” a week. Last week it was the Imax, next week its Wet N Wild (If the weather holds up). You’re still looking forward to the beginning of September when the kids become the property of their new teacher. That’s great, but the school supplies list you put on the fridge so you wouldn’t lose it, is staring you in the face. A month to go, how are you going to afford to get all those supplies, backpacks, shoes, clothes and caution fees together?
One idea is go shopping, get everything on the list and lose the grocery-shopping list for that week. There is no way you are going to get supplies for your family and food in the same week. Unless….
Another idea is to take one week at a time!
First thing, take a look at how many weeks there are left until school starts. Divide the list into that many weeks. Make sure you divide it evenly – a pair of pants, pencil crayons, binders this week, shoes, markers and glue the second week, backpacks, pens, Kleenex the next week. This way you haven’t broken the budget, you spread the “love” around to all and the family can still eat because you haven’t lost the whole grocery list. This also saves you time because you aren’t running around the weekend before school starts like a chicken with your head missing. It is hard to buy supplies that are not there. You know, the items that you need would have already been picked up by mothers who planned their shopping
Do you have any plans to go across the border? This is another great idea. Give your kids a weekend away with a pool, maybe a theme park, and you can get some shopping done (for them AND you). You can get some cheap supplies there. The dollar is at a great rate right now. Make sure when you are shopping that you take a look at where the product was made. If it was made in Canada, the United States or Mexico, you won’t pay duty thanks to the free trade agreement. If you go somewhere where they have outlet malls you can get some brand name items at a reduced rate. Target is a great place to shop. They have fashionable items that are unique. This gets your children clothes and shoes that everyone else won’t have.
By planning ahead the only stress you will feel on September 5th will be to release the little hands that you have been holding close to you all summer long. September 5th is just another day that is there to remind you that time is marching on, your children are growing up and they need you a little less (especially when your youngest is going into school full time this fall)
Preparing for School Days
Text by Helen Lepp Friesen
With the changing of the leaves comes the new school year. Here are some things to consider as you prepare for the new school year.
Ensure that your child is registered and that you have provided the school with emergency contact information.
If your child is going to a new school, make sure you meet the teacher and principal before school starts. Take a tour of the school. Familiarize your child with his or her classroom and the location of the bathroom. If possible, meet a child or two that will be in your child’s classroom. Talk with your child about how he or she feels about going to school. Process any fears or anxiety. Let your child know that you welcome his/her thoughts and don’t belittle the fears.
Prepare for the new school routine by getting the kids to bed early a week before school starts and up at the right time.
Choose an outfit the night before and have the child’s back pack and lunch packed. That prevents the frantic morning rush. Both child and parent will have a better day if you start it calmly with plenty of time for breakfast and casual conversation.
If your child is going to ride the bus for the first time, go over bus safety guidelines. Find out the bus route and drive it. Ride the bus with your child the first time. When your child does ride the bus for the first time alone, be there to meet your child at the school to make sure everything went okay. Establish where your child should go in case of an emergency, should you not be there to meet him/her.
Get school supplies early, preferably in the summer when no one else is shopping for them. If you wait until the last minute you’ll join the other frazzled parents in the picked over school supply aisles not finding what you need and making numerous trips to piece together the list.
Paying attention to preparation details in advance can make getting ready for school an enjoyable transition from summer to autumn schedules.
The Optomap® and Yearly Eye Examinations
Text by Dr. Matthew Anderson B.SC. O.D.
Annual eye exams allow your optometrist to detect changes in the front of your eyes that may affect your eye’s comfort and prescription. However, your optometrist also needs to look at the back of your eye, the retina, to check that it is healthy.
Many imaging devices can be used to view the retina. The optomap® Retinal Exam is one of these devices used by optometrists and ophthalmologists to get a comprehensive view of the retina. This may detect possible abnormalities or signs of disease, and can provide early diagnosis and treatment.
The optomap® is a form of Retinal imaging and is an important tool for the screening and diagnosis of eye conditions, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration, and can also indicate evidence of non-eye diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and certain cancers. Since many of these conditions develop without symptoms, they are often first discovered during a comprehensive eye examination. With early detection and appropriate treatment these and other conditions may be corrected or minimized, and the severity of potential vision loss can be reduced.
The optomap® uses the latest laser technology to produce an Ultra-wide field image (up to 200 internal degrees) that provides view of almost the entire retina at the beginning of an eye exam without the need of the pupil being dilated. A green and red laser is used to separate the retina into distinct sub-structures. Adjustable magnification, contrast, gamma and brightness aid in visualization and recognition of different retinal pathologies.
The overall benefit of the optomap® in screening for eye diseases is enhanced disease management. The optomap® provides a baseline image to compare over time. This non-invasive tool allows for patient co-management with specialists and primary care providers via the internet, thus providing the best care your eyes need.
