When I finished my PhD in 2012, I had little idea of what I might do next. The immediate plan was to continue freelancing – I had a few clients for whom I did research and “virtual assistant”-like tasks. I didn’t feel particularly inclined to look for an academic job and in any case, the […]
Full-time, tenure-track academic positions may not be a reality for many doctoral graduates. In Canada, less than 20% of PhDs are employed as full-time university professors. This fact is not lost on many doctoral students. But if their degree will not afford entrance into that hallowed space, for what opportunities does their degree prepare […]
It’s been a long road, but I have come to realize that learning outcomes have the power to transform higher education. As a student, I unknowingly used them to make important decisions, as an instructor they guided my teaching and as a course developer they have changed the way I look at higher education. Like […]
Note: Of the 78,232 students who graduated in 2011, 72,249 were contacted to participate in this survey. Six months and two years after graduation, 17,950 and 20,055 graduates, respectively, responded to this question. Source: Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, 2013-2014 Ontario University Graduate Survey. See http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/pepg/programs/osaprates/OntarioUniversityGraduateSurvey1314.pdf As economists and employers continue to debate […]
“We know what employers value most,” says George Brown College’s current marketing campaign – appearing on a subway wall or TV screen near you. As Norma Desmond said to Cecil B. DeMille: I’m ready for my close-up. So too core skills, it would appear. You’re familiar with them – the so-called soft skills, essential skills, […]
Reflections on the ‘Rae Report’ 10 years and a few billion dollars later Harvey P. Weingarten, President and CEOHigher Education Quality Council of Ontario It’s Feb 7, 2005. As president of the University of Calgary, I’m paying no particular attention to the Rae Report. Presidents pay attention to issues in their home province and the […]
Reflections on the ‘Rae Report’ 10 years and a few billion dollars later It’s Feb. 7, 2005. Bob Rae faces the Queen’s Park media and releases his report and recommendations for Ontario’s postsecondary education system: popularly dubbed the Rae Report but officially titled Ontario – A Leader in Learning. It’s a pivotal moment. Mr. Rae, […]
Léo Charbonneau, Guest blogger According to its most recent annual report (PDF, pg. 26), the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario received roughly $5.5 million in operating funds from the provincial government for the 2012-13 fiscal year. The amount of quality research the council is able to conduct with that relatively modest sum is impressive. More than […]
Celia Popovic, Guest blogger The launch this month of a new teaching and learning site on York University’s website has prompted a flurry of emails from colleagues within and beyond the university commenting on the prominence we have given to teaching. As we all know, websites are prime real estate in the virtual world and […]