Intentions For and Outcomes Following a Decade of Government Investment in Graduate Education

Research Summary: ​Assessing government investment in graduate education: address the data gaps  Over the past decade, the federal and some provincial governments have made considerable investments in graduate education. But while available data identify enrollment trends, there is a notable lack of data on other important aspects of graduate education such as employment outcomes, according […]

@ Issue Paper No. 16 Making the Grade? Troubling Trends in Postsecondary Student Literacy

Research Summary: Troubling Trends in Postsecondary Student Literacy Ontario students headed to college or university might not have the literacy skills they need to be successful, according to a new report from the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO). “The timing is especially problematic given that strong literacy skills are critical to students as […]

Non-Traditional Postsecondary Education Pathways of Adult Learners in the Toronto District School Board: Evaluating the Influence of Individual and Neighbourhood Characteristics

Research Summary: Adult learners overwhelmingly plan to attend college, but far fewer actually enroll Like many school boards, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) offers continuing education options to assist adult learners as they develop the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue postsecondary education (PSE). A new study from the Higher Education Quality Council of […]

Writing Instruction Using an Online Assignment Planner

Research Summary: Integrating Online Writing Assistance into the Classroom Creates Challenges In an effort to improve writing skills, the Writing Centre at Wilfrid Laurier University developed a series of free online resources and tools for students. However, a recent study by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) found that even when integrated into […]

Developing Teaching Assistants as Members of the University Teaching Team

Research Summary: Teaching assistants (and their students) benefit from formal training programs Formal training programs for teaching assistants (TAs) inform their teaching practices and can lead to improved student learning experiences according to a new study from the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario. Developing Teaching Assistants as Members of the University Teaching Team  examined two […]

Hybrid Learning in a Canadian College Environment

Research Summary: College study: Successful hybrid classes still depend on instructor abilities College courses that mix traditional face-to-face instruction with online learning appeal to both students and faculty, but the success of these hybrid classes is largely dependent on the abilities of the instructor, particularly their technological skills, dedication and organization, according to a new […]

The Diversity of Ontario’s Colleges: A Data Set to Inform the Differentiation Discussion

Research Summary: College degree granting dominates differentiation discussion While degree granting by Ontario colleges is barely a decade old and only 4% of the province’s college students are enrolled in degree programs, the topic dominates current discussions about college differentiation. A new report from the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) says that moving […]

Recruiting Students for Research in Postsecondary Education: A Guide

Research Summary: Guide gives researchers tools to recruit students for research projects When research projects involve student participation, recruiting students is an important yet challenging part of the process. Recruiting Students for Research in Postsecondary Education: A Guide, published by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO), provides an overview for researchers on how students […]

Large First-Year Course Re-Design to Promote Student Engagement and Student Learning

Research Summary: Students More Engaged When Instructors Focus on Interaction Instead of Lectures Many students are concerned about the learning challenges presented by large first-year university classes, particularly the “impersonal” nature of lectures. A new study by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) finds that by re-designing courses to provide lecture content online […]