University of Alberta and Parks Canada Celebrate Mountains 101
News Release
Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) is inspiring thousands to learn about and explore Canada’s mountain heritage
July 6, 2017 Edmonton, Alberta Parks Canada Agency
Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, along with Kerry Mummery, Dean, University of Alberta Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, heralded the achievements of the University of Alberta’s Mountains 101 Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in interdisciplinary mountain studies. With over 3,000 people from across Canada and around the world having completed the course so far, the course is an unparalleled success.
Created with the support of Parks Canada and the Alpine Club of Canada, the University of Alberta’s Mountains 101 is sparking the interest of new and lifelong learners alike with a 12-lesson free, online course focusing on the physical, biological, and human dimensions of mountain places in Alberta, Canada and around the world.
Led by UAlberta experts David Hik, professor in the Faculty of Science, and Zac Robinson, associate professor in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, the Mountains 101 MOOC includes contributions from Indigenous Peoples, environmental historians, glaciologists and Parks Canada scientists. Mountains 101 is one of the University of Alberta’s contributions to Canada150 celebrations in 2017.
People can get additional information and register for the Mountains 101 MOOC at uab.ca/mountains. Registration is ongoing and classes begin on the first Monday of each month.
Quotes
“As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, the Government is inviting Canadians to experience the outdoors and learn more about our heritage with free admission to Parks Canada places. The Mountains 101 Course is another great way for people of all ages and interests to discover our incredible natural areas. I am proud of the work that the University of Alberta and Parks Canada have done to help inspire people to learn more about the science and incredible history of Canada’s mountains.”
The Honourable Catherine McKenna
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada
“Mountains, in large part, define Alberta, and Mountains 101 has been a successful innovation in taking the knowledge of mountains resident at the University of Alberta and giving it, literally, to the world. With more than 18,000 students from 140 countries registered in the program, Mountains 101 has successfully demonstrated the ability of the University of Alberta to extend its educational reach across the globe.”
Kerry Mummery
Dean, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation
Quick Facts
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Since the Mountains 101 MOOC began in January 2017, more than 18,000 people from across Canada and 140 countries around the world have registered for the course. Over 3,000 people have completed the course to date.
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Mountains 101 is the number 1 ranked course in the world for both Science and Environmental Science according to a top online catalogue of free courses and MOOCs (www.class-central.com).
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A MOOC is an interactive and video supported study made available over the Internet, without charge, to a very large number of people. The Mountains 101 MOOC consists of 30 hours of course work, comprised of 12 lessons, similar to any other university level course.
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The interdisciplinary approach to global issues, such as those affecting our mountains, will be increasingly important as we work to mitigate impacts of climate change.
Associated Links
Contacts
Marie-Pascale Des Rosiers
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
613-462-5473
marie-pascale.desrosiers@canada.ca
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca
Nicole Graham
University of Alberta - Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation
780-492-4088
nicole.graham@ualberta.ca
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