Aurora College -- New Release

FORT SMITH, NT – Aurora College is introducing a Centre for Teaching and Learning pilot project, which will contribute to professional development within Aurora College and will play a key role in supporting a learning-centred environment for Aurora College students.

The 18-month pilot project will lay the foundation for the permanent establishment of a Centre of Teaching and Learning in the next three years and will focus on promoting academic excellence through professional development in the practices of adult education, instructional design and educational technology.

Dedicated internal support in the area of academic excellence is an integral feature at many post-secondary institutions, with similar centres in more than 113 institutions across Canada. These centres are hubs of teaching innovation that influence the culture of a post-secondary institution by building faculty teaching skills and promoting proven ways to engage students in learning.

The Centre of Teaching and Learning pilot project will be supported by five new positions within Aurora College, including an Interim Director of Teaching and Learning located in Fort Smith.

The eventual establishment of a Centre for Teaching and Learning at Aurora College will be instrumental in supporting the strategic goals of ‘Academic and Research Excellence’ and ‘Learning -Centred’, which are two of the four strategic pillars in Aurora College’s new strategic plan Strengthening the Foundation and Planning for Change. A Centre for Teaching and Learning also supports the College’s new mission which is to: Demonstrate leadership in the delivery of relevant and meaningful education and research rooted in strong connections to Northern land, tradition, community and people.

--- 30 ---

Aurora College delivers academic upgrading, trades and industrial training, certificate, diploma and degree programs to more than 3,000 full and part-time students at three campuses, 21 Community Learning Centres and other community sites in the Northwest Territories. Community-centred post-secondary programs reflect Northern culture and the needs of the Northern labour market. Aurora College’s research division, Aurora Research Institute, conducts, supports, and licenses research in the NWT. Research centres are located in in Inuvik, Yellowknife and Fort Smith.

For more information, please contact:
Jayne Murray
Manager, Communications & College Relations
Aurora College
Phone: 867-872-7021
Email: jmurray@auroracollege.nt.ca