Advanced Workshops

Even as a newly founded chapter, the University of Toronto AIS student chapter placed extreme importance on providing students with advanced workshops and networking opportunities. In November 2011 when student executive, Kim Pham, learned author and well-known usability expert Steve Krug was in Toronto for another event, she invited him to present at the first AIS Student Chapter Event. To their surprise, Steve gladly accepted the invitation at no charge and praised Kim for taking the initiative to reach out to him. The session gave students the chance to learn about usability, design practices, and the principles of human-computer interaction. Not only was the event successful, there were over 125 people in attendance. 

http://current.ischool.utoronto.ca/events/2012/usability-talk-steve-krug

As the year continued, 252 people attended events offered by the student chapter, averaging 42 attendees per event.  The chapter achieved their professional development goals for that year, including offering a 3D Printing workshop and hosting the second annual IBM Code Rally workshop. Similarly, the chapter wanted to create a formal communication structure, solidify roles, create a greater web and physical presence, increase media monitoring, and develop and maintain relationships with external companies to host annual events for the future.

Accomplishing one of their prior goals of hosting the second annual Code Rally workshop, the students of the iSchool were given the chance to play and explore the interactive IBM game, Code Rally, to facilitate the learning of Java and team coding in March 2013. While the object of the game was to pass all the check points on a virtual race track, the Code Rally challenged the students to apply their newly acquired and refined Java skills while strategically honing their programming abilities.

Improving annually, the University of Toronto’s AIS student chapter continues to offer its members extremely interactive and advanced workshops in hopes of refining their skills as future IT professionals. View the video below, or click here, to access the full interview of Professor Lyons’ thoughts on Code Rally, the iSchool, and the current technology landscape.

AIS is dedicated to advancing the profession of Information Systems and an AIS Student Chapter is a great way for you to attract the best and brightest into the IS field and into your classroom. Please let us know if you would like to learn more about starting AIS Student Chapters by contacting brian@aisnet.org.