Welcome to the September 2020 edition of ‘Innovatus,’ a special issue of YFile devoted to teaching and learning innovation at York University. It offers compelling and accessible feature-length stories about York University’s community commitment to excellence in teaching, learning, internationalization and the student experience.
Featured in this edition of ‘Innovatus’
A letter of thanks and a view to the future
In an open letter to faculty at the University, Professor Will Gage, York’s associate vice-president teaching and learning, offers a warm welcome and outlines his priorities for the 2020-21 academic year. Read more
While new students prefer in-person learning, they are adapting well to online learning
Two first-year students who are oceans apart speak about their experience with orientation and remote learning. Adrianna Bonavota and Mishal Vellani would prefer to be sitting in classrooms on the Keele Campus this month, but they accept that online classes are the way of the world today. Read more
York pilots University 101 course for incoming students
Recognizing that the transition from high school to university isn’t always an easy one for students, York University’s Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies hopes to smooth the way with an introductory course called University 101. The first-year course aims to help students develop five key aspects of student success. Read more
YU Experience Hub helps bring virtual experiential education to life
This past spring, the YU Experience Hub, the institutional unit at York that helps students bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace, was able to leverage federal government support to increase student employment opportunities through the Talent Opportunities Program funded by Employment and Social Development Canada. Read more
York faculty turn to Teaching Commons for assistance with remote teaching
From mid-March through August, the Teaching Commons at York University saw triple the number of faculty take part in its courses and webinars than the entire previous fiscal year. The Teaching Commons filled more than 1,600 seats in its courses and webinars during that period and its Going Remote website had more than 35,000 page views, nearly 25,000 of them unique. Read more
‘Innovatus’ is produced by the Office of the Associate Vice-President Teaching & Learning in partnership with Communications & Public Affairs.
If you would like to share your experiences in teaching, learning, internationalization and the student experience, please let us know by filling out the ‘Innovatus’ story form, which is available at tl.apps01.yorku.ca/machform/view.php?id=16573.