For the past ten years or so that I have been a faculty member at the University of British Columbia I have been dabbling in different aspects of educational technology, both for my classes and also in education myself. In the past couple of years I have started to think about what ‘digital literacy’ actually means in the context of teaching and learning as well as research activities within our higher education institutions. I have yet to find a good definition or overview of what it means, as digital literacy seems to mean different things to different people. I see this as a continuing area off explorations and in that vein I currently have two undergraduate research assistants positions. Please reach out to me: siobhan.mcphee@ubc.ca by March 4th end of day. The applications should include a cover letter which speaks to why you are the best person for the position.

Position One

Undergraduate Research Assistant in Sound Studies and Digital Mapping

Timeline of Position: March-September 2024

Pay: $21 an hour and 5-10 hours of work a week depending on availability

We are seeking an undergraduate research assistant to join our interdisciplinary team working on an exciting project that brings together sound studies, landscape change, and digital mapping. This position is a unique opportunity to contribute to a project that aims to understand the impacts of humans and time on the natural and built world through the lens of sound.

Responsibilities:

• Upload audio recordings of the sounds.
• Use a mapping software to create a map that archives these audio recordings.
• Experience with ArcGIS, OpenStreetMap and/or MapBox would be an asset but not necessary 
• Collaborate with a diverse team of researchers, educators, and artists.

Qualifications:

• Current undergraduate student.
• Experience with ArcGIS or similar mapping software.
• An Interest in sound studies.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting.

The resulting soundmap of Vancouver, which will be used as a pedagogic and research tool. This position offers the chance to gain new, more embodied, and place-based understandings of our entanglements with the landscapes and cities we inhabit and shape. If you are passionate about exploring other ways of knowing and being with nature, and interested in using sound as a means of research and knowledge mobilization, we encourage you to apply.

Position Two:

Undergraduate Research Assistant in digital course design

Timeline of Position: March-June 2024

Pay: $21 an hour and 5-10 hours of work a week depending on availability

Job Description: Instructor looking for a motivated undergraduate student with a passion for urban geography or related fields. As an academic assistant, you’ll collaborate closely with instructor to enhance department’s online courses. Your primary responsibilities will include researching content, designing interactive activities, and ensuring a seamless learning experience for students.

Qualifications:

• Interest in Urban Geography: A genuine curiosity about cities, urban spaces, and their dynamics.
• Tech-Savvy: Willingness to learn and use interactive tools (for example):
  • H5P (UBC’s Tapestry tool): Create engaging multimedia content within our course modules.
  • Discord: Creative ways to have students communicate and collaborate.
  • ArcGIS Storymap: Create a visual interactive lesson using the ERSI based tool
  • CLAS (UBC annotation tool): Annotate and discuss video content collaboratively.
• Research Skills: Ability to explore scholarly articles, case studies, and relevant data.
• Attention to Detail: Ensure accuracy and quality in content development.
• Adaptability: Comfortable with remote work and online collaboration.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct research on topics specified by instructor for use as case studies in the online courses
• Develop interactive activities (quizzes, discussions, virtual field trips) aligned with course objectives.
• Collaborate with the instructor to integrate multimedia elements into the curriculum.

Benefits:

• Gain hands-on experience in online course design and technology integration.
• Contribute to open educational resources accessible to a wider audience.