New blended model courses added

Several first- and second-year Arts and Science courses will join PSYC 100 and GPHY 101 by adopting a blended format. First year film and media (FILM 110), sociology (SOCY 122) and gender studies (GNDS 120), as well as a second-year classics course (CLST 205) have all been redesigned to

blend in-person learning with online learning.

Professor Sidneyeve Matrix’s Media and Popular Culture class (FILM 240) also uses a blended model, with 700 spaces for each online and on-campus students. On-campus students will attend a weekly lecture, while interactive webinars on Fridays and Saturdays are available for students who choose to take the course online.

According to the University, five additional courses will become blended in 2013, including 100-level biology (BIOL 102) and calculus (MATH 121).

— Holly Tousignant

Input on government discussion paper requested

The deadline for Queen’s community input on a post-secondary education-related discussion paper has been extended to Sept. 20.

The paper, “Strengthening Ontario’s Centres of Creativity, Innovation and Knowledge” was released by the provincial government in June. It outlines a number of potential changes to post-secondary education, including three-year degrees, year-round schooling and using technology to promote learning.

Four of the eight questions posed by the survey were discussed in consultations between the provincial government, Queen’s and other post-secondary representatives this past summer.

Queen’s initially requested feedback by Aug. 31. A web page hosted by the University allows users to provide comments on eight of the paper’s discussion points, as well as general feedback. The discussion topics include year-round learning, entrepreneurial and experiential learning, technology-enabled learning opportunities and quality teaching and learning outcomes.

— Holly Tousignant

QSoE releases app

The Queen’s School of English has created a new app for incoming students of the School.

The free QsoE Arrival App guides students through the arrival process, from pre-arrival to on-location. It’s designed to be used by those who are not fluent in English, and includes information about important Queen’s phone numbers, getting around Pearson Airport, visa requirements, local transportation and navigating campus.

The iPhone and Android-compatible app is still in the testing phase, but is available for download on iTunes and Google Play.

— Holly Tousignant