Education
RDC Welding Students Learning Through Virtual Reality
Written by Sheldon Spackman / Photos and Video by Lindsay Wiebe
Red Deer College is celebrating the successful launch of a new Virtual Reality Welding Training Program for Aboriginal learners from the Montana First Nation.
The program is made possible thanks to a partnership between RDC, the Montana First Nation and WorleyParsonsCord. Officials say it offers Aboriginal learners the opportunity to develop the practical skills, knowledge and experience needed for rewarding welding careers. By using virtual reality welding simulators and flexible training delivered in their home communities, students are provided with applied learning experiences. The course is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Flexibility and Innovation in Apprenticeship Technical Training program.
The Virtual Reality and Co-operative Trades – The Next Generation program is separated into two groups of learners with a capacity for 25 students each. The first group began their training in October of 2016 and will graduate after 18 months in March of 2018. The second group has just begun their training.
After completing their first six weeks at Montana First Nation, the students went to RDC to take their training in welding labs and classrooms at the College. Once the first portion of their training is complete, officials say the students will transition into 20-week work placements with local employers. They will then return to RDC for the second portion of their training, followed by another 20-week work placement. Once the students are finished, they will have received the training required for all three periods of the Welder program and they will have the opportunity to challenge the exam and practical assessment for each period. Plus, students will have hours to count toward their Journeyman certifications. At this time, the first group of students is about to transition into their work placements.
Red Deer
St. Joseph High School Celebrates Brody Andrie’s National Boxing Championship Victory
News release from Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools
St. Joseph High School (SJHS) is thrilled to announce that Grade 12 student Brody Andrie has been crowned the National Champion in the 57 KG youth division at the prestigious Canada Cup & Junior Youth Canadian Championships. The championships were held at the Genesis Centre in Calgary from March 20 to March 24, 2024.
Brody, a dedicated member of Team Alberta and a fierce competitor from the Shadow Box Boxing Club in Lacombe, has achieved a remarkable milestone by winning gold in his division. This victory not only highlights his outstanding skills and dedication to the sport of boxing but also marks him as the first central Alberta boxer to be crowned a national champion in decades.
Reflecting on his victory, Brody shared, “This win is not just for me but for everyone who has supported me along the way. I’m proud to bring this championship back to Lacombe and hope to inspire other young athletes in our community.”
SJHS Principal, Gary Gylander, expressed his admiration for Brody’s achievement, stating, “Brody’s success is a testament to his hard work, perseverance, and the support of his coaches and community. We are incredibly proud of him and look forward to seeing what the future holds for this outstanding young athlete.”
This is a historic moment for both Brody and central Alberta, shining a spotlight on the talent and potential within our community.
Education
Higher spending on K-12 education does not result in better student outcomes
From the Fraser Institute
By Derek J. Allison
Higher levels of per-student spending do not achieve higher student scores on standardized tests, either internationally or among the provinces, finds a new report published today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.
“Just spending more on K-12 education does not lead to better student outcomes,” said Derek J. Allison, Fraser Institute senior fellow and author of School Spending and Performance in Canada and Other High-Income Countries.
The study compares provincial per-student spending on K-12 education in 2018 (the last year of comparable data) to other high-income countries in the OECD and to performance on the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
It finds that higher per-student spending levels are not associated with stronger academic achievement. In fact, in 2018, 10 countries—or one third—of the high income OECD countries included in the analysis spent more per student than Canada but achieved significantly lower PISA scores.
Similarly, among the provinces, Saskatchewan was the highest per-student spender among the provinces but ranked 8th out of 10 on PISA scores. Manitoba was the second-highest per-student spender and recorded the lowest PISA scores nationwide. Conversely, British Columbia was the lowest spender per student in Canada and achieved the fourth-highest PISA scores.
“The evidence is clear—simply spending more on established K-12 schools without finding new and better ways to help kids learn will not improve student outcomes,” Allison said.
Provincial per-student spending (2018) compared to core PISA score
Province Spending Core PISA score
Saskatchewan Highest spender 8th
Manitoba 2nd Lowest PISA score
Alberta 3rd Highest PISA score
Nova Scotia 4th 5th
Ontario 5th 3rd
New Brunswick 6th 9th
Quebec 7th 2nd
P.E.I. 8th 7th
Newfoundland and Labrador 9th 6th
British Columbia Lowest spender 4th
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