The Welcome to Regina course design envisions an alternative mode of delivery of the new immigrant orientation course offered by Regina Open Doors Society. The process was challenging but rewarding. It started as an idea of meeting students’ needs through a new course design by building a course profile, identifying a suitable course shell, adopting a design model (pre-determined in this case: ADDIE), developing the course within the model framework, identifying the relevant content to use, framing accessibility issues, maximising Artificial Intelligence for efficiency, and lastly, receiving and acting on invaluable peer feedback. These have been done over three months.
The course is a blended option to the existing in-person classes. The main reason for this is accessibility since new immigrants are often inundated by the challenges of settling in a new environment. Knowing about the environment from the comfort of your new home and in a concise course format are major advantages of this course. Aside from the online interaction through comments, online classes are held on Zoom and the BigBlueButton conferencing tool on Canvas. In addition, there will be a few physical classes to complement the online learning through roleplay, social interactions and guest lectures.
The course is built on Canvas, which has a user-friendly mobile browser and mobile application interphase. The course is set to have 5 modules delivered over four weeks. The first two modules have been developed: Community Resources and Cultural Orientation. While the community resources module is more hands-on since it requires learners to achieve some practical milestones, the cultural orientation module is more interactive and relational. Initially, cultural orientation was the first module but it was flipped because learners will need more time and support to accomplish the tasks (and explore) the city’s resources.
Using the ADDIE model was appropriate because of its streamlined and functional phases. However, a programme planner should not be boxed into a model because models do not plan programmes; people do (Cervero & Wilson, 2006). As such, some of the factors that ADDIE would not have considered such as the socioeconomic and political issues were considered in crafting the course.
Even though this course has been designed without any formal connection to Regina Open Door Society, its structure and usefulness tempt me to approach the relevant authorities to adopt such a course for the ease of newcomers. How about I give you a walkthrough of the course? Be my guest!
It’s great to see how everything turned out in the end! I can see how this blended format would give new immigrants some flexibility and comfort, given all of their other challenges. It looks like you put a lot of thought into the challenges they may face, for the class itself and otherwise. Your introductions assignment is very clear about what is expected, and is a great opportunity to connect. Likewise for the “things I have done” – a great opportunity for students to learn from each other. Your resource about the first things to do in Regina is fantastic. Something like this would be valuable for international students at the UofR as well. I hadn’t heard of BigBlueButton before – looks really intriguing! I’m curious to check it out, to see how it gauges student engagement and uses the built-in visual assessment tools. What a great find! I think it would be great if you approached the Regina Open Door Society to give them the option. Hope all goes well if you do.
Hi Lauren. Thanks for your support throughout the course and your kind words! I will give RODS my best shot.
Hi, I really like the way you created your course prototype and structured all the content. You have tried to include all the things in the modules. I have learned many interesting things from your prototype. Thanks!
I appreciate your kind words, Jasvinder. I’m happy you found some interesting aspects in the course prototype.