{"id":373,"date":"2016-10-29T03:56:31","date_gmt":"2016-10-29T10:56:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/malat-coursesite.royalroads.ca\/lrnt521\/?page_id=373"},"modified":"2026-03-24T13:10:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T20:10:52","slug":"unit-1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/malat-coursesite.royalroads.ca\/lrnt521\/schedule\/unit-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Unit 1 | Introduction and Virtual Symposium"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overview<\/h2>\n

In the first unit, we focus on orienting ourselves to the digital place and space and the wide scope of the field. This first week is devoted to your participation in the virtual symposium and it will be a busy and exciting week. The symposium takes place at the beginning of LRNT 521 and as one of the culminating activities in LRNT 690, 691 and 692. It is where “new-to-program” students like you begin their orientation to the field and “near-to-completion” students are able to share their knowledge with the larger professional community. It is also open and absolutely free so please feel free to share the link with your colleagues and network. The more the merrier! Here is a sample message you could modify and share:<\/p>\n

Getting excited for the Royal Roads University annual MA in Learning and Technology program<\/a> Virtual Symposium April 6 – 10, 2026. Open to all and absolutely free! Come join in on the conversations with experts, practitioners and students in the learning design field. Check the schedule here<\/a> and we look forward to having you join us.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

There are three tracks to the symposium:<\/p>\n

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  1. Lay of the Land Track<\/strong>:\u00a0this track featured sessions by professionals, experts and academics in the field(s). These sessions explore topics related to digital learning environments, networks, communities.<\/li>\n
  2. Work in Digital Learning \u2013 Stories from the Field Track<\/strong>: this track featured sessions by working professionals in the field(s) of digital learning as they discuss “a day in the life of”; the importance of the role and skill set etc.<\/li>\n
  3. End in Mind Track<\/strong>: this track featured presentations by “near-to-completion” students. These presentations focused on both content (e.g., a short summary of their research) and process (e.g., summary presentations on the process of completing a thesis; applied research project; or digital learning research consulting project). They are a great way to see some of the most recent work in the field and to provide current students with a sense of the end in mind.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    LRNT 521 Unit 1 Activity 1 outlines what is required for you to watch or participate in from each track. Of course you are always invited to join in live for more or watch the recording of others at your convenience. The Virtual Symposium schedule<\/a> is a living schedule so the recordings will be here to come back to at any time.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Learning Activities and Assignments<\/h2>\n