Open Learning News and Updates

Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress

International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8 in many countries. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It is a call to action and a reminder that gender equality is one of the most effective ways to build healthier, more prosperous, and more inclusive communities — because women’s success is everyone’s success. (Government of Canada, 2024; United Nations, n.d.) In line with this year's theme: “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” Open Learning @ Conestoga will highlight Conestoga women who are publishing Open Education/ Open Access Resources (OAs/OERs) thereby contributing to the Sustainable Development Goal of Quality Education and supporting the joint action for a shift to a green economy and care society. Throughout March, we will share various publications, their authors, and how you might find these resources useful. #IWD2024 #InvestInWomen

For the week of March 25th, we are highlighting the following OERs:

Stories of Hope: Reflections on Resilience, Vol. 1 by Laura Quirk

Stories of Hope: Reflections on Resilience is an inspiring project led by Laura Quirk, faculty in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies at Conestoga College to share diverse stories through personal essays and other artistic forms. This first volume includes Laura’s poignant first-person account of living with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Book Features: 

• Relevant to students in disability studies, health care professions, and community or human services

• This volume includes learning assessments explicitly tailored to learners in the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant programs at Conestoga College

• assessments are designed to enhance students' educational experiences and provide a unique perspective on the challenges individuals with MS face.

Call for contributions

Laura invites members of the Conestoga community and beyond to contribute their own stories. Anyone interested in contributing to future volumes can contact Laura directly at lquirk@conestogac.on.ca.

Listening Techniques for Achieving Success by Larissa Conley and Sarah Darling 

Listening Techniques for Achieving Success by Larissa Conley and Sarah Darling, Faculty in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies is a free, open-educational resource (OER) designed to develop academic listening and note-taking skills.

This book features: 

• Students listen to conversations and presentations on everyday topics such as holidays, food, and travel.  

• Using interactive activities, students learn useful vocabulary and check their understanding. Each chapter introduces a strategy that can be used to improve listening comprehension and note-taking.  

• Discussion questions provide extension activities. Whether you're a student, professional, or simply a curious learner, there's something here for you. 

Business Math: A Step-by-Step Handbook Abridged by Sanja Krajisnik; Carol Leppinen; and Jelena Loncar-Vines

This book provides an introduction to a variety of topics in business math including simple and compound interest, annuities, payment schedules, mortgages, and more. This supplemental textbook covers topics from Chapters 8 to 13 inclusive, adapted from the original Business Math: A Step-by-Step Handbook by J. Olivier and Lyryx Learning Inc. providing extra resources, examples, and storytelling activities.

Introducing Conestoga English Language Reader 4 by Lois Molto

Engage in a linguistic journey with Conestoga English Language Reader 4 authored by Lois Molto.

Book Features: 

• Diverse Perspectives: Adapted articles offer insights from an English Language teacher's perspective in Canada. 

• Exploration of Topics: Each chapter delves into a different subject, providing a glimpse into Southern Ontario, the home of Conestoga College.

• Academic Word List Focus: Each chapter highlights 20 target vocabulary words from the Academic Word List

Want to find out more about OERs?

The Open Learning team is happy to support you in your OER journey. To request an OER search for your course or program, please fill in this form and we will connect with you. For further information, visit our website Home - Open Learning - Library & Learning Services at Conestoga College or email openlearning@conestogac.on.ca.