A month ago, we launched our Recreation North Training Program. We learned lots from our Pilot that took place last year. A few changes to the Training Program will enhance the experience for learners. You can now:
- Begin learning at any time in the year. There are no pre-requisites or a certain order learning events need to be taken. Start when it works for you!
- Work towards a Certificate in Northern Recreation Leadership at your own pace. If the timing of one learning event isn’t good, wait until it is offered next time.
- Take 12 learning events for a Certificate in Northern Recreation Leadership.
- Take learning events for professional development or personal interest.
During our Pilot, we learned how to support ‘distance’ learning that is social, fun, and meaningful. All our learning events include:
- Conference calls connecting learners from all three territories. Conference calls are structured with a couple of core questions that learners can reflect upon before joining the call. Using the phone means we don’t have to worry about Internet that might or might not work.
- Required activities that enhance learning from each other and encourage an application to each learners’ work and community roles. Sonja Lonsdale from Iqaluit, NU says a benefit in RF 101 was to “use sharing as ideas for our own communities”.
- Support from our trainers, through a phone call or message, to help learners understand the content and use the technology.
- Access to a Learning Management System – an online space where our learners and trainers interact.
Our first learning event, Recreation Foundations 101 began on November 4 and quickly filled. Due to the demand, we opened a second session. This learning event introduced the basics of recreation. Community and national priorities, and the individual, community, and environmental benefits of recreation were explored. The feedback has been inspiring.
“I really appreciated the National Priorities goals. I think it will make me more aware of what events and activities are developing which goals… where my community is lacking in some or very strong in others.” – Michelle Daigneault from Hay River, NT
“It was eye opening to see how other Northern communities recreate. I never would have known if not for this course. It also lets me gauge how my community is doing in comparison. We all live in different places, but we all have the North in common.” – Sarah Nicol from Fort Smith, NT
“The Framework for Recreation in Canada will be a reference point going forward as I develop programs and apply for funding.” – Kelli Anderson from Faro, YU
Our current learning event, RL 101 – Identify Your Leadership Strengths, is full. Check out upcoming training events and register for these at www.recnorth.ca. If you are not sure whether online learning is for you, sign up for our FREE 30-minute Pre-Learning Event Orientation to Moodle taking place on January 3, 2019.
