Message from Norman Rosenblum, INMD Scientific Director
September 2022

September is always busy with the start of a new academic year. This year, I am heartened to see students of all ages, teachers, educational staff, and faculty returning to in-person classes, as well as the return of in-person professional conferences and meetings. We are very fortunate to have the technology to allow us to engage in high quality meetings in cyberspace – but, there is no replacing in-person interactions!

Now that in-person learning has resumed in most university settings, it is interesting to reflect on the learning environment particularly in the case of science laboratories. Here, elements such as the learners themselves, peers, instructors, laboratory manuals, internet access, equipment and/or technology are important. Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, remote laboratories had become more common, where computers and other technologies began to play important roles in the learning process. In 2019, a review^{Footnote 1} summarized current research on interactions within science undergraduate laboratories. Despite many limitations noted in the review, it suggested that interactions, especially those with instructors, influenced the students’ attitudes to science and engagement levels in the laboratory activities.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, higher education institutions were forced to rapidly transition to online education with many lacking the required infrastructure. Several online platforms were utilized or have been created during the pandemic to support online learning. However, not all staff and students had equal access to, and expertise on, digital technology, leading to a wide range of logistical, technical, financial, and social problems^{Footnote 2Footnote 3}. Critical aspects of the education system were also insufficiently met, including hands-on training experience, classroom engagement, and peer network development. Effective strategies to rectify these lost experiences need to be addressed to ensure all students continue to receive a robust education. This provides a unique opportunity to reconsider our learning environments and re-evaluate the current curriculum to better meet the needs of students moving forward.

I am enjoying meeting with colleagues face-to-face again at meetings and academic conferences. In-person meetings provide a level of connection that is difficult to parallel in virtual meeting formats. However, it has become clearer that some meetings are more effective than others, and it behooves all of us to try to make our meetings as places that inspire us to connect meaningfully with colleagues and think creatively to gain inspiration.

Wishing you a happy return to the academic school year!

Norman Rosenblum, MD, FRCPC, FCAHS
Scientific Director
Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes

Date modified:

2022-09-27