Access a suite of flexible and diverse learning opportunities from anywhere in the world through Mount Allison’s Extended Learning program.
Extended Learning is a growing initiative at Mount Allison, focused on expanding the types and format of learning offered through the University.
Extended learning mandate
- To welcome all learners of different ages, backgrounds, and career paths to the Mount Allison experience with flexible and diverse learning opportunities that enrich and nourish everyone’s personal, academic, and professional development goals.
- To offer courses, credentials, and value-added experiences through a range of teaching principles emphasizing universal design, EDIA, Indigenization, and decolonization.
- To offer high-quality learning and educational experiences led by Mount Allison faculty, as well as by a range of external experts, all supported by innovative technologies and platforms.
- To support meaningful, respectful, diverse, open, and innovative knowledge seeking and gathering.
- To foster networking, collaboration, and community building with Sackville/Tantramar; with regional organizations, employers and employees; with provincial and federal institutions; as well as with an international hub of engaged learners.
Programming
Special Interest Course – Starting September 2024
Mindful Self-Compassion
Accept yourself, build inner strength, and thrive
The Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program developed by Kristen Neff, PhD and Christopher Germer, PhD is an internationally recognized and evidence-based program that combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion to enhance well-being.
In this 8-week course, participants will acquire the skills to bring mindfulness and self-compassion to their daily lives. Open to all adults with or without previous experience with mindfulness meditation. All are welcome.
Program details
In MSC, participants will learn ways to:
- Befriend your inner critic
- Deal with difficult emotions with more ease
- Motivate yourself with encouragement
- Be more accepting of yourself – perceived flaws and all
- Extend kindness and understanding to yourself when facing challenges
- Cope with difficult relationships, both old and new
- Foster goodwill towards yourself and others
- Be your own best teacher
8 Monday Sessions
Online via Zoom
7–9:30 p.m. AST
Sept. 23-Nov. 25, 2024
1 Half-Day Saturday Retreat 1–5 p.m. AST
Nov. 2, 2024
Cost: $495
Questions? Contact extendedlearning@mta.ca
Summer Digital Skills Workshops
This summer, Mount Allison is offering FREE courses on digital skills to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the wider community. The courses offer a mix of online and hybrid delivery on campus and will provide valuable digital skill-building, along with a certificate of completion for each workshop.
Exploring Excel Series – completed
This set of sessions is ideal for incoming and current students who will be using Excel for labs and for faculty, staff, alumni, and community who want to be able to accomplish tasks more efficiently with Excel. Register individually or complete three of the four sessions as a micro-credential bundle and receive a certificate of completion.
Instructor: Elizabeth Stregger, Data and Digital Services Librarian
Online via Teams
Free
Exploring Excel: Charts
Wednesday, July 10
2–4 p.m.
Online
Exploring Excel: Functions
Wednesday, July 17
2–5 p.m.
Online
Exploring Excel: Pivot Tables for Mac
Wednesday, July 24
2–4 p.m.
Online
Exploring Excel: Pivot Tables for Windows
Wednesday, July 31
2–4 p.m.
Online
Office 365 — Word, PowerPoint, and Excel – completed
Interested in learning the basics of Office 365 and improving your Word, PowerPoint, and Excel skills? Then these free workshops are for you!
Word I
Learn the basics of creating documents that include images, properly formatted text, a cover page, and more.
Tuesday, June 11
6:30–8:30 p.m.
Online
Word II
Learn to create documents that include tables, columns, lists, a table of contents, and more.
Thursday, June 13
6:30–8:30 p.m.
Online
Powerpoint I
Learn to create basic slides containing text, images, tables and charts.
Saturday, June 15
9:30–11:30 a.m.
Online
Powerpoint II
Learn to create advanced slides with screen recordings, formatted images, morph transitions, and more.
Saturday, June 15
1–3 p.m.
Online
Excel I
Learn the basics of entering data, merging cells, and understanding basic formulas and functions.
Saturday, June 22
9:30–11:30 a.m.
Online
Algorithmic Ethics: AI, Algorithmic Bias, and Images – completed
Are you curious about social media algorithms and generative AI? These frees sessions are for you! These four hybrid (online or in-person) 90-minute sessions help build AI, algorithmic, and visual literacies. Take one or register for all four sessions.
Instructor: Kevin Burke, Creative Arts Librarian
Session 1: Algorithmic Bias and Social Media
Monday, June 17
10–11:30 a.m.
Hybrid: Online or in-person
Session 2a: Intro to AI
Tuesday, June 18
10–11:30 a.m.
Hybrid: Online or in-person
Session 2b: Generative AI at the University
Wednesday, June 19
10–11:30 a.m.
Hybrid: Online or in-person
Session 3: Images and Videos Online: Finding the Right Stuff and Spotting the Fakes
Thursday, June 20
10–11:30 a.m.
Hybrid: Online or in-person
Career development
Structured as short duration learning programs focused on skill development and knowledge acquisition, this suite of micro-credentials, threads, and skills workshops provides learners with self-paced programs designed by experts in their fields that increase competencies to boost your resumé and your confidence.
Micro-credentials
A micro-credential is a specialized certification that recognizes specific skills, learning outcomes, or competencies valued by industry and employers.
Workshops
A series of free workshops focused on building core competencies and upskilling, available to the Mount Allison community and the public. 2024 Summer Series now available.
Lecture series subscriptions
Not in Sackville but wish you could access the biggest lectures of the academic year? Access curated online lectures and talks by a range of speakers. Launching Fall 2024.
University prep
Are you about to start university? Returning to school after being away? Looking to improve your success as a student? Gain foundational knowledge and skills that will help you in your university career through these university preparatory courses. More details available in Summer 2024.
Questions? Contact extendedlearning@mta.ca