Students will 'gain tremendously' from interprovincial agreement

Agreement could open door to other opportunities

Image | New Brunswick Community College class

Caption: The instructor development program helps community college instructors with their teaching skills. (New Brunswick Community College)

An interprovincial credit transfer agreement between UPEI, P.E.I.'s Holland College, and the New Brunswick Community College will make for better teachers, says UPEI's dean of education.
The new agreement allows students in the instructor development program to earn credits from all three schools. A similar agreement between Holland College and UPEI has been in place for about 10 years.

Image | Ron MacDonald

Caption: Agreements like this between post-secondary schools in different provinces are unusual, says Ron MacDonald. (CBC)

The instructor development program is aimed college instructors who have the experience and skills in their trade or profession to teach at the college level, but may not have an education degree.
"It is more about prepping teachers at the college level to teach better," said Ron MacDonald, dean of education at UPEI.
"Students are going to gain tremendously from their instructors getting this certification."
MacDonald said it also helps increase enrolment in UPEI's faculty of education.
He expects 25 to 30 instructors will take part in the program, which begins in January.
Agreements between post-secondary schools in different provinces are unusual, said MacDonald, and this one could open the door to other opportunities.