2010-2011

News Release

REF NO.: 202

SUBJECT: Memorial University makes a clean sweep at national awards

DATE: May 19, 2011

Memorial University’s Distance Education, Learning and Teaching Support (DELTS) unit received six awards at the Canadian Network for Innovation in Education (CNIE) awards in Hamilton, Ont., this month.
The unit took home a variety of awards for excellence and innovation in partnerships and collaborations, student services, animation, video production and instructional design.
Ann Marie Vaughan, director of DELTS, is pleased that the work of the unit remains relevant and contributes to the support of open and distance education.
“Within both the K-12 and the post-secondary sectors, a main goal is always to inspire – whether that is to inspire the educator or the learner,” she said. “Creativity is central to all of our collaborative work at DELTS, and we have been so lucky to have had the opportunities to work with equally exuberant parties. We have some exciting projects on the horizon, and I can’t wait to see the next production.”
Many of the awards were for heritage projects with a focus on education and an aim to preserve cultures, which, without technology, would otherwise be lost to future generations.
The Miawpukek First Nations Heritage project was a partnership between DELTS and the Miawpukek First Nation of Conne River, N.L. Using a 3-D virtual environment, the story, “Muinji’j Becomes a Man,” written by Chief Mi’sel Joe, was brought to life. Now, cultural traditions that would otherwise have been lost to future generations can be preserved and enjoyed. To view a trailer of this project, visit www.distance.mun.ca/portal and tune into the Teaching and Technology channel.
The Cupids 400 Project was a partnership between DELTS and Cupids 400, Inc. With DELTS acting as the educational partner, the unit was responsible for media development in advancing Cupids 400 Inc.’s mandate by providing technology-enhanced learning tools for students, teachers and visitors to experience and learn about the discoveries and stories of the Town of Cupids. Through the development of a virtual environment, students, educators and visitors to Cupids will be able to explore and experience John Guy’s 1612 settlement first hand.
The unit also received awards for student service and pedagogy.
The Memorial@Home e-Convocation project was designed by members of DELTS to acknowledge new graduates of Memorial University who completed 50 per cent or more of their degree via distance education. A congratulatory package was mailed to graduates, along with a card that directed them to a website that was created just for them. To view the fall 2010 e-Convocation video, visit www.distance.mun.ca/congratulations. A new video will be created this spring for new graduates.
A complete list of awards includes:
• Award of Merit for Excellence and Innovation in Partnership or Collaboration/Excellence for The Miawpukek First Nations Heritage Project.
• Award of Excellence and Innovation in Student Services/Excellence for the project Memorial@Home e-Convocation.
• Award for Excellence and Innovation in Animation: Traditional or Computer/Excellence for The Miawpukek First Nations Project. 
• Award of Merit for Excellence and Innovation in Animation: Traditional or Computer/Excellence for the Cupids Project: Digital Storytelling, using animation to tell historical events in the Town of Cupids, Newfoundland.
• Award of Merit in the Excellence and Innovation in video for Taking Flight: Enhancing Engineering and Science Awareness.
• Award of Excellence in the Innovation in Instructional Design/Excellence category for Bridging the Learning Gap between High School and University Music Students' Theory-Based Knowledge Using Interactive Learning Objects and Sound.
DELTS producer John Bonnell and senior instructional designer Lisa St. Croix travelled to McMaster University in Hamilton to receive the awards, which were presented during the awards banquet at the Fourth International CNIE-RCIE Conference, May 16-19.

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