Welcome to the October 2024 edition of Innovatus, a special issue of YFile devoted to teaching and learning at York University. This issue highlights a sampling of the experiential education and work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities being offered across the University, illustrating the way York U continues to be a leader in modern teaching and learning.
Innovatus is produced by the Office of the Vice-Provost, Teaching & Learning in partnership with the Communications & Public Affairs Division.
It is a pleasure to introduce this month’s Innovatus issue highlighting the diversity of experiential education opportunities across the University.
York has a long history of and commitment to deepening students’ learning and engagement with the community, both inside and outside the classroom. The momentum around WIL has especially been growing, with a vision of building opportunities for students that are uniquely York, rooted in our values of access, equity, diversity and inclusion. Working to ensure that all students have access to these skill-building experiences is critical to ensuring they graduate with confidence in their ability to manage their future careers in a world where the only constant is change.
The benefits of investing in these experiences for our students cannot be understated. The literature shows that students who participate in WIL perform better academically, are more likely to graduate, and are more likely to be hired and at a higher starting salary once they do. WIL participants also report greater confidence in their critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills, and a greater sense of self-efficacy and adaptability. Evidence suggests that these and other benefits of WIL are more pronounced for students from equity-deserving groups.
The articles in this issue of Innovatus provide a snapshot of how these valuable experiences are being cultivated in innovative ways across campus – from interdisciplinary collaboration to meet needs in the film and biotechnology industries to building career readiness through new approaches like simulations to embedding peer mentorship opportunities in the classroom and through the libraries.
I hope you enjoy reading and I look forward to working together to continue to champion these important efforts across the University for our students.
Melanie Belore
Executive Director, Experiential Learning
Office of the Vice-Provost Teaching & Learning
Faculty, course directors and staff are invited to share their experiences in teaching, learning, internationalization and the student experience through the Innovatus story form.
In this issue:
AMPD offers students hands-on filmmaking experience
Shooting the Set, a course offered this summer by York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD), gave students a fast-paced, experiential opportunity to gain a variety of filmmaking skills.
Educational studies program offers valuable, practical experiences
Rachelle Campigotto, a faculty member in York’s Faculty of Education, is helping facilitate community placements for aspiring teachers that combine theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience and realities that will prepare them for their future careers.
Professor brings workplace to the classroom with innovative teaching
Romi-Lee Sevel, a professor of accounting, is applying unique teaching methods to bring workplace simulations to her classroom and better prepare her students for their careers.
Markham Campus prioritizing experiential education with unique biotechnology programs
Two new biotechnology programs at York University’s new Markham Campus are reflective of the new campus’s leadership in advancing experiential education opportunities for students.
York University Libraries empowers students to tackle real-world challenges
York University Libraries is doing its part to advance experiential education with peer mentoring, capstone projects and placement opportunities.