Sauder first Canadian business school to establish dedicated learning commons

This fall, the Sauder School of Business became the first business school in Canada with a dedicated learning commons for students to boost academic achievement, and develop their business acumen and skill sets. 
 
Modeled after a ‘town square’, Sauder’s Canaccord Learning Commons is both an online and soon-to-be-opened physical environment for students to study, prepare assignments, learn Working 2.0 skills, explore career options and foster teamwork and leadership.
 
The commons online space contains numerous outlets and tools to help students get the most out of their academic experience and connect with resources and peers. The tools are designed to mesh the digital and the physical world, with most activities combining both in-person interaction and online content. Students can access math tutorials, train to be more effective public speakers and learn how to network online as professionals—all with the click of a mouse. 
 
The physical Canaccord Learning Commons space, which officially opens in January 2011, will be incorporated into Sauder’s existing David Lam Library. It will feature group breakout rooms, collaborative work spaces, reference and technical support services, and a digital media lab. 
 
On October 21, the Canaccord Learning Commons will launch a series of talks beginning with authors Josh Klein and Bill Jensen who will discuss their book, Hacking Work.  Described by the Harvard Business Review as offering “one of the ten breakthrough ideas for 2010,” this book discusses the need for employees to bypass ineffective company tools and practices to boost productivity, creativity and effectiveness. The learning commons will also host an online discussion on this theme from October 11 to October 20.

Named in honour of Canaccord Financial Inc. and its chairman and founder Peter Brown, the Canaccord Learning Commons recognizes the company’s substantial contribution toward the establishment of this online and physical space, designed to prepare Sauder graduates for a Working 2.0 world.
 
Click on the following link to learn more: http://learningcommons.sauder.ubc.ca/