FEATURE | EDGE, Education In Greater Edmonton

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The importance of staying

BY SHELLEY BOETTCHER

up-to-date with technology

F

ancy cellphones. Tablets. Computers and terms like Facebook, apps and LinkedIn. For the uninitiated, dealing with our world’s never-ending electronic devices can be nerve-wracking, even scary.

But these days, staying on top of new technologies is essential, says Holly Arnason, a digital literacy librarian at the Edmonton Public Library.

“It’s important in all areas of life, whether people have to interact with the government, research health information or apply for jobs,” she says.

Even staying in touch with younger family members these days requires a computer and an email address, she notes.

That’s where organizations like the Edmonton Public Library and Metro Continuing Education, a division of Edmonton Public Schools, come in handy. They can help ease the transition into a technologyfilled world.

Jeffrey Hutton teaches many courses with Metro Continuing Education, including Getting to Know Your iPhone or iPad, Figuring Out Facebook and

Amazing Apps. His students range in age, but most are in their 40s or older, and many are in their 80s and 90s, he says.

“They’re beginners. They’re looking for basic, how-to advice: how to use their products more effectively, how to send an email, how to get up and running on their devices,” he says.

“Learning to use technology is essential in our environment these days.”

Step One? Sign up for an introductory class.

You can do it by calling the library, walking in to your nearest library, or calling Metro Continuing Education.

“A beginner class will take people through their fears, and give them the confidence they need to continue,” Hutton says.

“Confidence is key and as you gain more confidence, you can learn to do more.”

Like Hutton, Arnason and her team at the Edmonton Public Library also deal with people with varying levels of computer skills: grandparents learning to use e-readers and cellphones, people applying online for jobs, even people looking for help with their cellphone activation.

Still others may have the basic computer knowledge, but are looking to learn more about very new, very cutting-edge technologies: 3D modeling and 3D printers or photo editing, perhaps.

“We offer group learning sessions and tech help,” she says. “The idea is to provide a relaxed environment where people can come in with questions and share them and learn.”

Arnason is also very excited about some of the online services people can access with a free Edmonton Public Library card. One, Lynda.com, offers video courses on web design, animation, Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, you name it.

Also free with a library card, Gale online courses include sales and marketing, accounting, graphic and multimedia design, business writing and hundreds more.

“We’re providing a way for people who already are professionals and have a lot of those skills to learn even more,” Arnason says. “We’re here to offer support to them as well.”

Online learning offers a flexible solution

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BUILD YOUR SKILLS Explore your interests and build your skills with NAIT part-time January course offerings. Choose from a variety of short, hands-on, trade and technology courses including woodworking, home renovation, plumbing and general trades. NAIT’s flexible learning pathways include evening and weekend options. Whether you’re just starting your career or want to develop new skills, you’ll find your fit at NAIT.

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obertson College has been around since 1911 but launched its online division in 2009 and offers training in business, healthcare and information technology.

Online learning is becoming the standard that now allows people to train towards a better career without interrupting their lives, “The flexibility of class schedules allows our students to keep on top of their daily responsibilities while achieving their postsecondary goals,” says the Director of Robertson College Online, Audrey Blatz.

The programs are now approved for student aid funding in Alberta and Manitoba which is great news for anyone who

thought they couldn’t afford a postsecondary education previously.

Courses are set up so that students are able to interact directly with instructors just like in a classroom setting. They also have the support of a dedicated student services team in order to answer any questions along the way.

Audrey Blatz, Director of As graduaRobertson Online approachphoto supplied tion es, students don’t need to be nervous about finding employment as practicums are built right into the programs, “This gives our students an opportunity to get their foot in the door with one of the 1000 national companies that partners with our Introduction to the sport of career services department,” explains Blatz. Also, as a graduate of Robertson College Online, students have the option to attend REGISTER NOW FOR WINTER a graduation ceremony FENCING CLASSES Youth & Adults at either the Calgary or Open House - Sat. Jan 3, 12 pm - 4 pm Edmonton campus.

Winter Classes - Jan 5 to May 13 For more information Coach & Olympic gold about Robertson College medalist Jujie Luan Online and the programs Recreation, Competitive, that are offered, visit robertHomeschool soncollege.com/irobertand Parent/Child son-online-training.aspx.

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EDGE — COURSES & CLASSES

H

alance b o t ow

school

BY ISABELLA C. VARELA

T

rying to juggle the demands of school with a job and a personal life can be exhausting. How do you get everything done without burning out?

First, know you’re not alone. Ask your classmates or friends and they’ll probably tell you they too struggle to stay on top of competing priorities. The good news is that while you may not attain the elusive goal of “work-life balance,” you can become better at managing your education, career and home life and find satisfaction in all three.

while yo u’re still

working Here are some pointers: MAKE YOUR CALENDAR YOUR SECRET WEAPON Whether you download a calendar app for your smartphone or prefer to use a good old pen and paper daily planner, find what works for you and stick to it.

At the start of a new academic term, plug in all of the important dates and can’t-miss deadlines for your courses so that nothing slips through the cracks. Now add your work obligations and your family commitments, and take that calendar or planner with you

wherever you go. If you want to get fancy, you can download calendar apps with deeper options that allow you to use colour-coded categories like School, Rest and Work and see, in chart form, where your time is going.

BECOME A PRO AT PRIORITIZING Rachel Humenny, a communications professional in Vancouver who recently juggled a degree program in Communication Studies with a full-time job, freelance writing assignments and a desire to ensure quality time with her husband, is a firm believer in colour-coded calendars and priority lists.

“Make a priority list that changes based on what is going on in your calendar,” says Humenny. “When I wasn’t near deadlines at work, then school and family were priorities.

When I was in exams, family and overtime at work took a backseat. And when I felt I needed to ground myself, my husband took precedence.” If there are tasks that you can delegate, hand the reins over to someone else so you can free up your time for higher priority tasks.

ASK FOR HELP IF YOU NEED IT Mebbie Bell, a learning resource facilitator at the University of Alberta, encourages students to access academic support services early on and throughout their degree.

“Most universities and colleges today will have [these] resources for students,” says Bell. “They can help you update the strategies you use to study, write papers and manage your time.”

in order to balance school, work and a healthy personal life,” says Humenny, a self-described perfectionist. “Missing family or important events in my life wasn’t the end of those relationships. I had to let go of my ideal self and just get through it all.”

So, if you’re faced with long hours at work, children clamouring for your attention at home and a term paper that’s due tomorrow, accepting that sometimes good is good enough may be the best thing you can do for yourself.

DON’T EXPECT PERFECTION “I definitely felt like something had to give

Working and learning

Why halt your career to get your MBA?

J

ust because you have a career, doesn’t mean it’s time to stop learning. In fact, there are many advantages and benefits to upgrading your education while working.

Specifically, here’s why you should consider getting your MBA while on the job.

Perhaps the biggest, yet often overlooked advantage to upgrading to an MBA parttime through night courses is you’re still making money. You won’t have to survive off ramen noodles and bury yourself in student loan debt to reach your goal. Sure, it will be hard work but as they say, nothing worthwhile is easy.

You may also consider asking your employer for financial support towards the cost of your MBA. After all, the more knowledgeable you are at your job, the better work you’ll do for them. Some organizations, especially large corporations, offer formal tuition support programs for employees who wish to upgrade.

However, even if your organization doesn’t, all hope is not lost. The Australian Institute for Business recommends, “[talking] to your supervisor or Human Resources department directly about the possibility of helping you pay for your MBA degree.” It can’t hurt to ask!

Furthermore, being in class again means you get the chance to network with other like-minded achievers. It’s no secret that a large part of anyone’s success hinges on his or her connections. So why not look at

BY DYLAN THOMPSON

upgrading as another chance to cast that wide net? Even if the people in your classes are all at different organizations that just means you’ll have personal connections everywhere you go.

The University of Alberta has a part-time MBA program that gives students the flexibility to continue their career. Classes run from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., one night a week with most students taking two courses per semester. With four semesters in a year, you could be done your degree in as little as 28 months.

Another advantage to working and learning at the same time is the chance to tailor your experience and expectations to your work demands and passions.

The U of A’s program allows students to select from six specializations to suit their own interests and ambition. These specializations include Finance; Innovation and Entrepreneurship; International Business; Natural Resources, Energy & Environment; Public Policy & Management; and Sustainability.

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