Applying knowledge and skills to real-world challenges

Connecting a Raspberry Pi board (right) to systems in Lethbridge College’s Aquaculture Centre of Excellence has improved outcomes for these systems. It also provided students a chance to test their skills in hands-on projects. supplied

“How does this work?” That’s a question Keelan Hyde has always been keenly interested in, from his parents’ first computer to the internet of things (IoT) to linking devices to gain new – and perhaps surprising – results.

His curiosity and interest in technology brought Mr. Hyde to Lethbridge College’s Computer Information Technology (CIT) program, where he recently had the chance to work with a team connecting a Raspberry Pi – a single-board, highly customizable computer about the size of a deck of cards – to a monitor, data-collecting probes, router and wireless network.

“Working with the Raspberry Pi board has given me the opportunity to gain experience with hardware that’s different from your typical computer,” says Mr. Hyde. “We explored the technology’s potential for real-world applications; for example, in a hydroponic system.”

The goal was to use real-time data to enhance the function of an aquaculture environment in the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (ACE) and improve outcomes for both fish and plants. Mr. Hyde’s role as research assistant included customizing the Raspberry Pi board to connect to elements like data-collecting probes and a series of LED lights that show the system is online and working.

“The aim of the project was to integrate the knowledge from our courses to solve a practical challenge,” says Mr. Hyde. The experience included a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) project, where he worked with an instructor and shared insights with other students, thereby fulfilling half of his 200-hour practicum requirement.

In recognition of the importance of providing students with hands-on learning opportunities, nearly 95 per cent of Lethbridge College’s programs include a work-integrated learning or practicum component, explains Dr. Samantha Lenci, provost and vice-president, Academic, Lethbridge College. “Learning takes place on many levels. With experiential learning, students get a chance to see what a career in a particular industry can look like.”

Work-integrated learning provides a safe environment where students can learn while being supported by both education and industry. Such experiences can give students the confidence that they will graduate with the skills that enable them to make a difference in their chosen fields from day one, says Dr. Lenci, who describes the approach with the image of a triangle, where education and industry form two points and the student the third.

“Connecting the three points of the triangle creates benefits for all involved – and for society in general,” she says. “Students experience working with industry, and industry partners provide feedback on the skills they need, giving us a direct link to the labour market that serves to strengthen our educational offerings.”

Strong connections to industry partners provide Lethbridge College with timely feedback on industry trends, says Dr. Lenci. “This flow between industry and education is highly important. It allows us to grow or tweak our programs based on real insights rather than guesswork. And these kinds of explorations go beyond discussing current demand. We look at what kind of graduates are needed today as well as in two, five or seven years.”

Preparing graduates in a time shaped by rapid changes requires attention to “the ability to transfer skills from the classroom to a place of work – and then potentially to other places of work or other industries,” she suggests. “The goal is to see our students succeed, and this requires a forward-looking strategy. What new industries or opportunities are on the horizon? Where can we make strategic connections with a long-term perspective?”

What enhances students’ chances of success in the workplace of the future is a skill set that goes beyond technical know-how to include professional skills, such as teamwork, communication, creative thinking and problem-solving, and Dr. Lenci credits Lethbridge College’s highly accomplished faculty with fostering these skills.

Mr. Hyde appreciated similar aspects of the ACE project. “There was a lot of camaraderie and teamwork, where you can troubleshoot when unexpected things come up and brainstorm ideas with a group of like-minded people,” he says. “And working with equipment like the Raspberry Pi allows you to hone your skills as well as define your learning goals.

“Innovative and creative people are always going to be needed,” says Mr. Hyde, and Dr. Lenci adds that such traits contribute to Lethbridge College graduates being in high demand.

“Our students really show up,” she says. “They constantly surpass our expectations with their accomplishments and professionalism.”

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