Online learning has always been a popular choice as an alternative to learning in the classroom. Although it is apparent that COVID-19 restrictions have put this form of learning in the spotlight, online learning has remained prevalent amongst working professionals, those who have family commitments, students who wish to live in their home country but study elsewhere, and so on. Dean Nate Horowitz knew he wanted the Story Arts Centre campus to have at least two programs to develop fully online that would be both involving and interactive. Subsequently, the Interactive Media Management (IMM) program was proposed by Barry Waite, Academic Chair of Communications and Media, while the Graphic Design program was proposed by Dr. Chris Jackman, Academic Chair of Arts and Design. By demonstrating to the College that both programs would be viable options online, due to the high number of face-to-face enrolments they already receive, Nate was able to have the programs approved, and they have since begun! “The courses are really well developed, and it’s going to be media-rich with visual examples right there in the content,” he said. Both the IMM and Graphic Design programs are now available to students in a completely online version, in addition to the in-person programs.
Interactive Media Management (IMM)
Pamela Kostur, Program Coordinator and Instructor of IMM, is thrilled with the online program addition! “We can reach out to a whole other group of learners who still want to take a full-time program, but want to study in their own time,” she said. The program will be completely asynchronous, which means students have the flexibility to learn the material at their own pace without the element of scheduled online meetings or lectures. “It’s the same materials and the same credentials, but instead of being in a scheduled class environment, and eventually back in the classroom, it’s just a completely online version of the same program,” Pamela notes.
Besides a setting change, the main difference between both programs is that the in-person version (which currently remains online due to COVID-19 restrictions) has lectures and scheduled activities via Zoom, such as breakout rooms, and once everyone is back in the classroom, there will be many in-class activities led by different instructors. Meanwhile, the online version has scripted modules. “Students will go to eCentennial and access all of their course material that will be released on weekly basis, and there will be a lot of learning activities to read and interact with online,” Pamela said.
Barry Waite notes that online learning will give students the opportunity to learn in their own time. “What we’re looking to do, which I think will make the program quite innovative, is we’re building in the same experiential and work-integrated learning opportunities. In the first semester of the IMM program, students take Storyworks and typically work in groups on a client project. By them doing it right out of the gate within a few weeks of starting the program, it gives them the opportunity to put what they’re learning into practice right away and it helps inform them in what they do in the rest of the course. In the second semester, they do a client project where they work with an individual client to develop an interactive solution, and that helps direct them to their own project which is typically an app or a website that solves a problem. Then they go on their placement.”
He continues, “Through the online program, students will have the choice to work either individually, or not, to do similar types of things. Whether a student is taking it in Toronto or Vancouver or somewhere else around the world, they have the option to work in their own community with clients and do projects under the guidance of an instructor. We’re hoping that they will also then be able to do a work placement. Since many may be doing the program while they’re working at a job, they may be able to put their job they’re doing towards credits for the placement. They also might be able to do some volunteer work at an organization to develop some sort of interactive solution, so we’ll be looking at options such as that.”
The online IMM program provides a great deal of flexibility, especially when one’s schedule or situation might not be. Find out more about the online version here.
Graphic Design
Similar to IMM, the online Graphic Design program is going to provide wide-scale opportunities for students. According to Dr. Chris Jackman, this is unique in Ontario as it “reflects the way in which we can leverage technology to meet the learners where they are - any time, any place.” He notes, “Our graphic design faculty has always been renowned for student engagement and expertise. We see the results of this in our graduates, as the proof is in the pudding. Graduate employment for graphic design grads is usually around or above 80%.”
The graphic design field continually implements online work and communication, which makes this program adapt well within the changing industry. Chris explains, “With an online program, not only are we meeting the needs of learners who would be unable to attend an online course due to COVID-19, but we are responding rapidly to the way in which this industry operates. Many designers have thriving careers and close relationships with clients who they have worked with for years, but potentially never met in-person because so much of the workflow itself goes online.
In terms of the material, Lisa Rebnord, Program Coordinator and Instructor, said they’ve had a terrific time working with a team of online education specialists. “We’ve been working with them pretty closely and they’re very good at figuring out how to keep students engaged and involved. Students are not just going to be sitting alone reading a bunch of stuff, they’re going to be actively involved in discussion boards, and some projects will have group work involved,” she said.
Lisa also notes that this program is open to so many more individuals. “They’ll have deadlines to meet for all of their assignments and occasional live meetings that they have to attend, but for the most part, they’ll be logging in every week and seeing what’s expected each class and they can set their own schedule to do the work when it’s most suitable for them, as long as they meet the deadline. There’s so much more flexibility for people that want to go to school, but for whatever reason, quitting everything and moving to Toronto to spend all day in the College, isn’t a good option,” she said.
The program (online and in-person) is three years in length, and Lisa notes that there is enough variety throughout its entire duration for students to remain engaged and involved. “In the first year, they’re learning a lot of software and a lot of the basics. In the second year, because they’re not fighting with the software, students become more creative and start doing web design. They also start realizing how much fun design is and how much there is to learn. In the third year, they start doing a lot of professional preparation stuff, such as portfolio development workshops and professional practices. In their final semester, there is a thesis project which is self-directed for six weeks, where they do a whole campaign that usually has a social good aspect to it. Then, there’s the eight-week field placement” she said.
The online graphic design program provides students with the opportunity to creatively explore this field, while implementing flexibility throughout. Find out more about the online version here.
Within both programs, students can benefit from the same material now at their fingertips. Chris notes, “There will always be a need for live instruction. I think at the school, that has been our bread and butter and is something that we do exceedingly well. I think alongside that, we have a lot of opportunities to adopt new technologies that will help us keep our high standard of applied learning.” Regarding the future of online programs at Centennial, Chris explains, “Through our adaptation to COVID-19, I’ve been amazed by the ingenuity and innovation in teaching shown by our faculty. I think we’ve only really begun to explore the limits of how technology can help us meet the needs of our learners.”
The IMM and Graphic Design programs provide so many wonderful opportunities for students, and we can’t wait to see these opportunities grow even more within our online versions.
By: Alexandra Few