Identifying Plants on Vancouver Island:
My New Year’s resolution, like many people’s, was to start going to the gym more come January. With the restrictions keeping gyms closed for the first few weeks of January, however, I decided to come up with another resolution—plant identification. Last year for Christmas I was given a book about plants in Canada and how … Continued
How the Pandemic is Changing the Future for Education Students
VIU’s education students have had to adjust not only to learning during a pandemic but to teaching during one too. Many education students at VIU took a heavy blow last March when schools shut down. Students in the education program participate in teaching practicums at local schools in their third, fourth, and fifth years of … Continued
The Importance of Increasing Indigeneity at VIU
With everything that has happened so far in 2020—the pandemic, a steep rise in awareness about systemic racism, alarming weather events due to climate change, among many others—it’s clear the need for diversity in leadership to combat these issues is crucial. And, not just at a federal level, but in every institution. One thing that’s … Continued
The Education Expo is coming to town
By News Editor Aislinn Cottell On February 3, the Year 5 Post Baccalaureate Education students are presenting the Education Expo, a day of workshops and presentations which will explore 40 different educational topics. The expo will be held on the second floor of bldg. 356, the room locations for individual workshops can be found on … Continued
Education pioneers cross the Atlantic to recruit VIU graduates
By News Editor Aislinn Cottell Based in the South of England, the Bohunt Education Trust (BET) is an academy school sponsor organization, well known for it’s innovative and ground-breaking educational practices. Their first school was established in Liphook in 1978, but they currently run five secondary schools across England, and are only growing. Teachers at … Continued
Food, Music, and Local Politicians
The VIU Political Society will be hosting an event that will give students the opportunity to listen to, and mingle with, local politicians on March 24. The event will give students a chance to socialize with each other and local politicians, and act as an opportunity to provide knowledge about the VIU Political Society … Continued
UPDATE: Fundraising for Northern BC students to visit VIU a success
In issue 9, The Navigator covered the story about 11 students raising money to fund their trip down the coast, to see three universities in BC: VIU, UBC and SFU. Only two months later, the group has surpassed their goal, raising just over $11k according to their FundMe page. The largest donation was an accumulation … Continued
Contest: Good with names? VIU’s new E-Zine is looking for help!
This week, VIU’s very own weekly online newsletter launched. While their content is plentiful, it has yet to have a name. This is where you come in. Before midnight of March 18, Student Affairs wants submissions of your best creative ideas, to summarize our university, the events that happen and what it means to … Continued
Women in Action: VIU hosts third annual conference
This Saturday, March 14, five successful local women will visit VIU to share their stories. Hosted by the VIUSU, the conference is in its third consecutive year. The event features activists, politicians and businesswomen, including Jean Crowder MP for Nanaimo-Cowichan. “I think it is important for women to hear from others who have … Continued
You’re invited! RSVP to the student-debt wedding
The VIUSU is holding an event tomorrow, February 19; to demonstrate the marriage many students are signed into when it comes to their debt, at the Malaspina Theatre at 11:30 am. [slideshow_deploy id=’7081′] “Students and their families are feeling the squeeze of high tuition fees and student loan debt,” said Alec Patterson, Director … Continued
Students react to ABE funding cuts
A decision by the Liberal Government to cut Adult Basic Education (ABE) funding and bring back tuition fees has caused outrage among many VIU students and staff. “This is largely affecting people who already have so many obstacles in their life,” said Patrick Barbosa, Chief Returning Officer of the VIU Students’ Union. “Up to 20 … Continued
Standardized testing is so last decade
At least, it should be. The Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) was introduced to grade four and seven BC students in 1998 to replace the census tests that were given to a random sample of students. And, apparently, the BC Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) has opposed the FSA ever since, arguing that the test disrupts classroom learning, … Continued
VIU grad nominated for “most prestigious innovation award in Canada”
By contributor Marilyn Assaf VIU graduate Breanne Quist is in the running for a national honour: the Ernest C. Manning Innovation Award, dubbed the most prestigious innovation award in Canada. Quist has been nominated for her work creating The Privacy Compass, a website designed to help BC teachers, parents, and schools navigate privacy issues when … Continued
Forever Indebted
Something very exciting happened earlier this school year for Canadian students living in Manitoba. You may not have heard about it over the sound of the deep fryer at your part-time fast food gig. Let me recap: in November, Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger announced that starting sometime in 2015, students studying in Manitoba will no … Continued