- Open Access Week Series: Ending the Free Fall
- New postdoc opportunities for Black and Indigenous scholars
- Learn more about the upcoming international climate change negotiations
- Universal Design for Learning and Wellbeing Community of Practice session on Thursday
- Velocity $5K fall 2022 semi-finalists announced
- Critical Tech Talk interdisciplinary series continues October 28
- Wednesday's notes
Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Open Access Week Series: Ending the Free Fall
Pia Zeni, Daniel Opperwall, and Kristin Wilson, Centre for Extended Learning.
By Dana Francoeur, Centre for Extended Learning.This article is one of a series celebrating open scholarship during Open Access Week. It is brought to you by theOpen Scholarship Committee.
“It’s like bungee jumping without a cord.”
This is what Pia Zeni remembers an instructor saying about creating impactful online courses on their own.
For many years, instructors of online courses often lacked the support and tools to create successful online courses. Many instructors still feel they lack resources. Meeting this need are two new Open Educational Resources (OERs): High Quality Online Courses and Humanizing Virtual Learning.
(HQOC) is a course on how to improve course design and delivery for post-secondary learners.(HVL) is a guide to help post-secondary educators foster engagement, connection, and inclusivity in an online learning environment.
Housed on eCampusOntario’s Open Library Publishing Platform, both courses are licensed under theas well as aInternational License. These licenses permit copying, reuse, and modification. However, the Ontario Commons license limits use to educators at Ontario colleges and universities, while the additional CC license allows for use by anyone, anywhere in the world.
Providing support to all online instructors was one of the course authors’ objectives. While conceptualizing these courses, authors Daniel Opperwall, Kristin Wilson, and Pia Zeni recognized that most institutions were not as well-resourced as ݮƵ when it came to instructional designers and multimedia developers.
Instructors of online courses wanted pragmatic instruction with workable examples. They were asking “what does it look like?” and wanting to “see it.” HQOC and HVL were designed to provide that visual, said Zeni.
HQOC does this particularly well, as Zeni pointed out, ending each module with activities that allow educators to effectively build and plan actual parts of an online course.
© University of ݮƵ. Made available under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Because HQOC and HVL are open educational resources (OERs), instructors are able to customize them to suit their individual needs. “That’s the beauty of it,” said Opperwall. He pointed out that while a book can’t be reworked into something new to fit a different or more specific scenario, OERs are endlessly customizable. “You can mix and match, tweak it, change it, grab pieces of it…the possibilities are endless and more economical, and knowledge is being shared and built on,” Opperwall said.
Not only can end users easily adapt the courses for their own uses, the authors can also update them. HQOC has not even been live a full year yet and Zeni has already been proactively adding to the “Resources for Further Study” sections when she finds something that would have been great to include. “I’ve already done that once or twice…and that’s one of the nice things about OERs. They are very easy to edit,” she said.
OERs will be increasingly important in academia, predict Opperwall and Zeni. Opperwall is currently involved in designing two more OERs, sponsored by the University of ݮƵ Library through theOER Fellows Program.When asked what he would tell someone interested in creating or adapting an OER, he said, “I think what I’d say is why not? …This is going to be so much fun [and] it’s going to be so rewarding.”
New postdoc opportunities for Black and Indigenous scholars
A message from Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.
Support ݮƵ’s strategic plan to strengthen sustainable and diverse communities by encouragingrecent PhD graduates in any field of study to apply for theProvost’s Program for Black and Indigenous Postdoctoral Scholars.
The Program advances institutional initiatives to create a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusivity for all, improving the representation, participation, and engagement of equity-deserving groups within our community. We invite applications for the inaugural award, which provides successful candidates with annual support that includes a salary of$60,000plus a benefits package. The scholars will also receive a one-timeresearch fund of $5,000at the time of their appointment. The value of the support demonstrates the importance of and commitment to interdisciplinary research at ݮƵ. The maximum term of the appointment is 2 years and up to four positions will be granted in 2023.
Specific funding is also available within theAMTD ݮƵ Global Talent Postdoctoral Fellowship Programfor Black and Indigenous scholars.
Applicants must have support / endorsement from a University of ݮƵ researcher prior to applying;the application deadline is December 1, 2022. For more details, including eligibility criteria, the endorsement process, pleasevisit theProvost’s Program for Black and Indigenous Postdoctoral Scholars web page.
Learn more about the upcoming international climate change negotiations
A message from the ݮƵ Climate Institute.
We are at a pivotal moment in our collective goal to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. For this reason, the meeting of the world’s leaders in Egyptfrom November 6 to 18 for the climate change negotiations at theannual Conference of the Parties (COP) is more critical than ever.
The University of ݮƵ, through theݮƵ Climate Institute, has been an official observer of the conferences for many years. For, the institutewill send an in-person delegation of top student leaders andfacultyresearchers to represent the University, bear witness to the negotiations, and foster an informed conversation about the climate crisis at ݮƵ.
On Wednesday, November 2 at 2:45 p.m., join the delegation on campus for theRoad to COP27 event– a discussion of the crucial issues that need to be tackled. This will be a chance learn about COP and the expertise that each of the delegates brings to the table, spanning topics of health, governance, energy, and communications.
Universal Design for Learning and Wellbeing Community of Practice session on Thursday
A message from the Universal Design for Learning and Wellbeing Community of Practice.
The Wellness Collaborative, Centre for Teaching Excellence, Centre for Extended Learning, Student Success Office, AccessAbility Services, and fellow instructors have partnered up to critically look at how UDL can (and cannot) support holistic wellbeing in the learning environment. We invite you, instructors and others who support the learning environment, to join us in a Community of Practice (CoP).
We are excited to announce that our next Community of Practice meeting,Harnessing UDL for wellbeing in learning environments,takes place this week onThursday October 27at 1:00 p.m.
We will engage in critical refelction of the impacts of UDL on instructor workload and the importance of the ‘start small and build from there’ approach. There will be opportunities to discuss with presenters and other group members regarding ‘places to start’ in your own practice.
For more details about each session, see ourwebsite.
The CoP will be hosted virtually through Microsoft Teams and members can access resources and support asynchronously.
To get involved in the CoP, please complete thisbrief Qualtrics survey.
Please note that you do not need to attend all three sessions to join the CoP, as our aim is to make this CoP accessible for all who are interested. We look forward to connecting with you.
Velocity $5K fall 2022 semi-finalists announced
A message from Velocity.
Twenty-three student teams contend for four $5,000 prizes — but first they must present the perfect pitch.
The time is here for University of ݮƵ’s ambitious student startups to compete at thepitch competition. The competition will see early-stage student ventures battle it out onstage for a chance at one of four $5,000 awards. The first round of competition kicks off on November 9and 10and features 23 aspiring teams. These 23 semi-finalist teams were selected by an experienced panel of entrepreneurs, following a difficult adjudication process that saw 72 applications from 160 students.
Each semi-finalist will have just three minutes to present their idea and convince a new panel of judges that it has potential and viability to succeed. Only then will they move on to the final round.
The top eight teams from the two rounds will return to the stage for the finals on November 23. After the pitching magic happens, four teams and theirinnovativebusiness ideas will take home $5,000 in grant funding to help grow their ambitions.
Join us on November 9and 10at South Campus Hall to see who will win the judges over and cheer on your UݮƵ peers.
Witness 13 early-stage startups featuring 21 UݮƵ students from within the faculties of Engineering, Mathematics, Environment and Arts pitch to win in night one of the Velocity $5K semi-finals:
AFAIK; Coastal; Electric Boats & Regenerative Fertilizers; Hexa; LandscapeDirect; Liquitronix; PedalRoutes; Penspyre; RelayMD; Serv2U; Totazi; TrainPro; and Werkspat.
Night two of the Velocity $5K semi-finals showcases 10 teams with 15 UݮƵ students from the faculties of Engineering, Mathematics, Arts and Health:
Chariot Mobility; Goose; HydroMag; IDEAL; MedInclude; Outseek; Pegasus; Quickcast; ShootFree; and Skipwash.
Critical Tech Talk interdisciplinary series continues October 28
A message from the Critical Media Lab.
Please join us for the 4th event in theCriticalTechTalkseries of honesttalks about innovation.For this hybrid event, we are thrilled to be hosting Professor Batya Friedman, a pioneer of Value Sensitive Design for a talk entitledShaping Technology with Moral Imagination:Leveraging the Machinery of Value Sensitive Design.
Tools and technologies do no less thancreate and structure the conditions in which we live, express ourselves, enact society, andexperience what it means to be human. They are also the result of our moral and technicalimaginations, which are subjective and often constrained by systems of privilege and power.Value Sensitive Design (VSD) was developed as an approach to address this challengefrom within technical design processes. Drawing on over three decades of work, in this interactivetalk will provide an introduction to value sensitive design, foregrounding human values inthe technical design process.
The event takes place Friday, October 28, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. followed by a reception.Attend online or in person at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)..
About the speaker
Batya Friedmanis a Professor in the Information School and holds adjunct appointmentsin the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, the School of Law, and theDepartment of Human Centered Design and Engineering at the University of Washingtonwhere she co-founded the Value Sensitive Design Lab and the UW Tech Policy Lab.Value sensitive design, pioneered by Dr. Friedman, has been adoptedinternationally, and it has been applied in architecture, biomedical healthinformatics, civil engineering, computer security, energy, global health, human-computerinteraction, human-robotic interaction, information management, legal theory, moralphilosophy, tech policy, transportation, and urban planning, among other areas.
Student respondents
Carl Tuttonis undertaking a PhD in Sustainability Management. His background in end-of-life electronic waste policy and management systems, material flow analysis, and long-time interests and hobbies in consumer electronics led to his interest in the beginning ofthe lifecycle of products, the design phase. His work seeks to analyze successfulimplementations of, and barriers to, sustainable design changes and more efficientproduct lifecycles.
Sid Heegis a PhD student in Sustainability Management. Their research focuses onmis/disinformation surrounding farming and farm practices and how to bridge theknowledge gap between urban and rural populations. They are interested in learning howsocial media algorithms play a role in the continued spread of mis/disinformation and howit impacts sustainable farming practices.
About the moderator
Marcel O’Gorman is a Professor of English, University Research Chair, and Director of the Critical Media Lab. He co-wrote the Tech for Good Declaration and leads several funded research projects on the topic of Responsible Innovation. His publications, cross-sector workshops, and critical design projects reflect on the entanglement of technology, humanity, and the more-than-human.
Questions about the event? Contact Marcel O’Gorman:marcel@uwaterloo.ca
Wednesday's notes
The latestNoon Hour Concert at Conrad Grebel University Collegetakes place today at 12:30 p.m. and is called"A Moment in Time."Stealth, featuringbass clarinetistKathryn Ladanoand percussionistRichard Burrows,will take you on a musical journey exploring sonic landscapes and rhythmic chaos.Having performed together for over a decade, Stealth takes a deep dive into the world of improvisation. Their music can be tranquil and contemplative or explosive and pulsating, striving to bring a unique experience to every audience. The free concert takes place in the Conrad Grebel chapel and is open to all.
Media Relations invitesfaculty members, postdocs and PhD studentsto hear from Scott White, editor-in-chief ofthe,on wayscan become authors for the publishing platform. Learn about strategies for pitching your idea, their editing process, and the analytics dashboard that is built into an author's profile. The session is limited to academics and researchers, including postdocs and PhD students. The event takes place on Friday,October 28from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon.To attend this webinar, you mustregisterin advanceby emailingPamela Smyth.
UW Fitness is looking forward to offering their next 6-week cycle of both in-person and remote fitness classes.Thanks to funding from the UW Staff Association’s Staff Excellence Fund,all UݮƵ staff will receive a 50 per centdiscount on registrations for select fitness programs.
"Classes start the week of October 31st, and spaces are limited so sign-up ASAP," says a note from UW Fitness.
For more information, including a list of program offerings and how to register,visit the UW Fitnesswebsite.
For more specific inquires, feel free to contact us atfitness@uwaterloo.ca.
Here's today'sKeeping Well at Work Daily Inspiration:
Take a break and connect with nature and animals!
Try to get outside today and notice the world around you. Can’t get outside? View these virtual webcams to take a break.
- : A virtual window into the natural world of birds
- : Tune in to a web cam to experience the wonder of the ocean
- : Watch a live camera to observe the zoo animals
- Manyare available for viewing thanks to Google Earth and Google Arts & Culture, including the Grand Canyon and Yosemite.
Linkof the day
When and Where to get support
Studentscan visit theStudent Success Officeonline for supports including academic development, international student resources, immigration consulting,leadership development, exchange and study abroad, and opportunities to get involved.
Instructorslooking for targeted support for developing online components for blended learning courses, transitioning remote to fully online courses, revising current online courses, and more please visitAgile Development | Centre for Extended Learning | University of ݮƵ (uwaterloo.ca).
Instructors can access theEdTech Hubto find support on ݮƵ’s centrally supported EdTech tools. The Hub is supported by members ofIST’sInstructional Technologies and Media Services,Centre for Teaching Excellence,Centre for Extended Learningandsubject matter expertsfrom other campus areas.
Supports are available foremployeesreturning to campus. Visitandworkplace protocolsto assist with the transition.
Studentswith permanent, temporary and suspected disabilities and disabling conditions (medical conditions, injuries, or trauma from discrimination, violence, or oppression) can register withAccessAbility Servicesfor academic accommodations (classroom accommodations, testing accommodations, milestone accommodations).
Instructorscan visit AccessAbility Services'Faculty and Staff web pagefor information about the Instructor/Faculty role in the accommodation process. Instructors/Faculty members are legally required to accommodate students with disabilities. AccessAbility Services (AAS) is here to help you understand your obligations, and to offer services and resources to help you facilitate accommodations.
Thehasin-person and virtualservices to supportgradandundergrad students,postdocs and facultywith any writing or communication project. Services includeone-to-one appointments,drop-ins at Dana Porter Library,online workshops,writing groups,English conversation practice, andcustom in-class workshops.
Co-op studentscanget help finding a joband find supports to successfully work remotely, develop new skills, access wellness and career information, and contact a co-op or career advisor.
The Centre for Career Action (CCA)hasservices and programstosupport undergrads, grad students, postdocs, alumni, and employees in figuring out what they value, what they’re good at, and how to access meaningful work, co-op, volunteer, or graduate/professional school opportunities. Questions about CCA's services?, call 519-888-4047, or stop by our front desk in the Tatham Centre 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,Monday to Friday.
Drop-in to in-personon Thursdays from5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in DC and DP. Join a Peer Success Coach to set goals and work independently or in groups each week.
Renison's English Language Institutecontinues to offervirtual events and workshopsto help students practice their English language skills.
If you feel overwhelmed or anxious and need to talk to somebody, please contact theUniversity’s Campus Wellness services, eitherHealth Servicesor Counselling Services. You can also contact the University'sCentre for Mental Health Research and Treatment.Good2Talkis a post-secondary student helplineavailable to all students.
The Libraryis here to help, both in person and online. Our spaces are open for access to book stacks, study space, computers and printers, and the IST Help Desk. For in-depth support, meet one-to-one with Librarians, Special Collections & Archives and Geospatial Centre staff. Access our resources online for anywhere, anytime learning and research. Full details on current services and hours are available on the Library’sCOVID-19 Update webpage.
TheFaculty Association of the University of ݮƵ (FAUW)continues to advocate for its members.for more information.
TheUniversity of ݮƵ Staff Association (UWSA)continues to advocate for its members.Check out the UWSA blogfor more information.
The Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO)supports all members ofthe University of ݮƵcampuscommunitywho have experienced, or been impacted, by sexual violence.This includes all students, staff,facultyand visitorsonthemain campus, the satellite campuses, and at the affiliated and federated ݮƵ Institutes and Colleges.For support, email:svpro@uwaterloo.caor visit theSVPRO website.
TheOffice of Indigenous Relationsis a central hub that provides guidance, support, and resources to all Indigenous and non-Indigenous campus community members and oversees the University's Indigenization strategy.
TheݮƵ Indigenous Student Centre, based at United College,provides support and resources for Indigenous students, and educational outreach programs for the broader community, including lectures, and events.
WUSAsupports for students:
Peer support -,,,-Click on one of the linksto book an appointment either in person or online for the term.
food hampersare currently available from the Turnkey Desk 24/7 in the ݮƵ Centre. Drop-off locations are also open again in SLC, DC, DP, SCH, and all residences.
all available online.
-CAPS is here to assistݮƵ undergraduates throughout their experience in navigating academic policy in the instances of filing petitions, grievances and appeals. Please contact them atcaps@wusa.ca.
-Seeking legal counsel can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time facing a legal issue.The legal assistance helpline provides quick access to legal advice in any area of law, including criminal. Just call1-833-202-4571.
is a confidential mental health and wellness service that connects students with qualified counsellors 24/7. They can be reached at1-833-628-5589.
GSA-UW supports for graduate students:
Thesupports students’ academic and social experience and promotes their well-being.
Advising and Support-experiencing challenges and can help with navigating university policies & filing a grievance, appeal, or petition.
Mental Health covered by the Health Plan- Thenow has an 80 per centcoverage rate (up to $800/year) for. Your plan includes coverage for psychologists, registered social workers, psychotherapists, and clinical counselors.
Dental Care- Thecovers 60to 70 per centof your dental costs and by visiting dental professionals who are members of the, you can receive an additional 20to 30 per centcoverage.
Student Legal Protection Program- Your GSA fees give you, accessible via a toll-free helpline: +1-833-202-4571. This advice covers topics including housing disputes, employment disputes, and disputes with an academic institution.
The Graduate House: Open Monday to Tuesday 11:30 a.m. to7:00 p.m. and Wednesday to Friday 11:30 a.m. to9:00 p.m.We’re open to all students, faculty, staff, and community members. Theis a community space run by the GSA-UW. We’re adding new items to the menu.Graduate students who paid their fees can get discounts and free coffee.
When and Where
Warriors vs. Laurier Blood Donation Battle.Join ouron the Blood.ca website or app. #ItsInYouToGive
on sale now. Cheer on your Warriors W/M Basketball, Football W/M Hockey and W/M Volleyball teams at home during the 2022-23 season..
Zero Waste Month campaign, Monday, October 17 to Monday, October 31.
Now or Never Sale, Wednesday, October 26 and Thursday, October 27, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., ݮƵ Centre Multi-purpose Room.
WIN Thematic Seminar: Noise Aware Sensors, Wednesday, October 26, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., QNC 1501.
NEW -Noon Hour Concert: A Moment in Time,Wednesday, October 26, 12:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College Chapel.
Radical Care Coffee Hour (ݮƵ Womxn + Nonbinary Wednesdays),Wednesday, October 26, noon to 1:00 p.m. on Microsoft Teams.
Writing Café (in-person), Wednesday, October 26, 2:00 p.m.,SLC 3216.
, Wednesday, October 26, 7:00 p.m., QNC 0101.
Universal Design for Learning & Wellbeing Community of Practice,Harnessing UDL for wellbeing in learning environments, Thursday October 27,1:00 p.m.
10 Year Celebration of the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business, Friday, October 28, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Stratford campus, 125 St Patrick Street, Stratford.
NEW - Media Relations presents Scott White, editor of the, Friday, OCtober 28, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Registerin advanceby emailingPamela Smyth.
, Friday, October 28, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Balsillie School of International Affairs, 67 Erb St West, ݮƵ.
GrahamSeedFundlaunch event, Monday, October 31, 12:00 noon to1:00 p.m., Enterprise Theatre (EC5, Room 1111). Pleaseby Tuesday, October 25.
NEW - Drop-in reception for Tony Bairos,Monday, October 31,2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.,E7 Pitch Space (2ndfloor).
Positions available
On this week's list from the human resources department, viewable on theUݮƵ Talent Acquisition System (iCIMS):
- Job ID# 2022-9366 - Area Manager, Food Operations – WUSA, USG 8
- Job ID# 2022-9402 - Proposal Development Officer - Math Research Office, USG 10
- Job ID# 2022-9408 - Recruitment Officer - Undergraduate Admissions & Outreach, Mathematics, USG 10
- Job ID# 2022-9396 - Computing Consultant (Service Desk Supervisor) – IST, USG 9 – 11
- Job ID# 2022-8720 - Data, Statistics and Website Manager - Centre for Ocular Research & Education, USG 10
- Job ID# 2022-9397 - Information Systems Specialist (Business Systems Analyst – IST, USG 11 – 12
- Job ID# 2022-9371 - Treasury & Investment Analyst – Finance, USG 10
- Job ID# 2022-9316 - Administrative Assistant to the Chair - Management Sciences, USG 6
- Job ID# 2022-9404 - Administrative Coordinator, Graduate Studies - Civil & Environmental Engineering, USG 6
- Job ID# 2022-9187 - Administrative Officer - School of Architecture, USG 13
- Job ID# 2022-9356 - Mechatronics System Developer - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, USG 9 – 10
- Job ID# 2022-9297 - Director, Marketing & Communications – Advancement, USG 14
Secondments/Internal temporary opportunities
- Job ID# 2022-9381 - Career Advisor - CEE - Centre for Career Action, USG 8 – 10
- Job ID# 2022-9400 - Communications and Engagement Specialist - Office of the Associate Vice-President, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism, USG 9
- Job ID# 2022-9399 - Instructional Support Coordinator - WE Accelerate - CEE - Work Integrated Learning Programs, USG 8 – 10
- Job ID# 2022-9401 - Project Coordinator - Office of the Associate Vice-President, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism, USG 8
- Job ID# 2022-9335 - Science Technology Transfer Manager - ݮƵ Ventures, USG 14
Affiliated and Federated Institutions of ݮƵ opportunities