Looks like the Brantford campus is closing and moving back to Hamilton...
Combining in-person and online learning is Mohawk College’s goal, president says
http://www.thespec.com/news/local/ar...president-says
A big part of Mohawk College president Rob MacIsaac’s vision for the school is making postsecondary education accessible to everyone by making resources available online, around the clock.
MacIsaac says he’s committed to ensuring Mohawk is relevant to today’s economy and stays that way.
“We are trying to change both what and how we teach in a fundamental way. We set an objective that, by 2013, all of our courses will be delivered in a blended format, combining face-to-face and online learning in a thoughtful way.”
MacIsaac shared his thoughts Wednesday with The Spectator’s editorial board.
A key goal is to make the college’s programs accessible to students who previously couldn’t participate, many of whom have full-time jobs. MacIsaac said about 30 per cent of Mohawk students leave in their first year of postsecondary education, sometimes because of the difficulty around juggling work and school. Blended learning would give everyone access to classes and lectures anytime, any place.
The college’s physical footprint is seeing big changes, as well.
“We are also trying very hard to make sure that we are delivering our education in facilities that the students in this region deserve. That has meant undertaking the largest renovation in the college’s history, focused on the Fennell campus.”
The Fennell campus has already seen a new library and collaborative learning spaces, and the addition of campus-wide Wi-Fi access. A new student services centre is set to open in a few weeks. The school is also planning for a new recreation centre, incorporating student input.
“In our master plan, I think we could put up another five or six buildings on that campus.”
MacIsaac also confirmed the Elgin Street campus in Brantford will close in the next few years, which will add 1,500 students to the Fennell campus.
“It wasn’t an easy decision. It was not a high performing campus in terms of how well our students liked it. We actually did focus groups and surveys of our students at that campus and the majority of the students who were there indicated they preferred to be at the Fennell campus.”