What does it mean to personalize the learning journey? At Humber, it’s about meeting learners where they are - offering flexible, responsive, and inclusive options that reflect the realities of learners’ lives, aspirations, and responsibilities.
In the second year of Humber’s 2023-2026 Academic Plan, personalizing the learning journey remains an integral part of our ongoing commitment to make learning individualized, efficient, and responsive to the needs of our students and the ever-evolving workforce. Building on the progress we made in Year 1 of the Academic Plan, we have been expanding flexible scheduling and delivery options for programs across all Faculties.
Reimagining the weekly schedule
The Academic Division has been piloting a condensed scheduling model in the Faculty of Social & Community Services (FSCS) that offers students greater flexibility and has significantly improved student outcomes. As part of this, FSCS program courses were scheduled to enable students to attend campus for a maximum of three days per week and allow for at least two days without classes. Participating students have reported that the condensed scheduling model helps them manage multiple responsibilities in addition to their courses, as well as providing them dedicated time to focus on studying and assignments.
The Longo Faculty of Business has also begun piloting evening and weekend class schedules, offering greater flexibility for working professionals balancing their careers and academic goals.
Just as we are reshaping when students learn, we are also transforming how learning happens.
Expanding how we learn
As part of a pilot research project on multiple delivery options, feedback was gathered from faculty and students in the Faculty of Health Sciences & Wellness and the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences to understand their levels of comfort and preparedness within a flexible learning environment. All student participants in the survey reported that flexible delivery (giving students choice in how and where they learn; for example, in-person or online synchronous) delivers an effective learning experience. The results are being used to support the advancement of flexible learning opportunities and to inform the redesign of learning spaces at Humber.
Future research will examine the impact of flexible delivery on class attendance and learners’ synchronous online delivery utilization, as well as its impact on access, equity and retention rates.
Beyond time and space, personalizing the learning journey also extends to how students demonstrate mastery - through models that prioritize competence over duration.
Learning by mastery: Piloting competency-based education
Multiple pilots on competency-based education (CBE) across Humber are underway. An alternative pedagogical model, CBE emphasizes personalized pacing within a curriculum designed to engage students in meaningful learning experiences that focus on demonstrating mastery rather than on time-based learning progression. Humber programs piloting CBE include Journalism, Wellness Coaching and Health Sector Regulatory Compliance.
Beginning in Fall 2025, the Journalism Graduate Certificate Program will be based entirely on CBE. As part of this model, students’ progress will be assessed by their mastery of key journalism competencies, such as community reporting, interviewing and critically analyzing information sources. Students will also be able to tailor their areas of specialization and focus on the skills and subjects that align most with their career goals.
An exploratory case study has been conducted in the Wellness Coaching Program to understand the experiences of students. The study found that students had a positive experience with CBE, noting decreased stress and increased confidence in their professional skills.
Looking ahead
At the heart of personalizing the learning journey is our commitment to choice, access, and empowerment. We know our students juggle jobs, families, and big dreams. By offering flexible, responsive, and learner-driven models, we are not only expanding access - we are transforming lives. My deepest thanks to our faculty and staff for championing this work and shaping the future of education at Humber.
Gina Antonacci
Senior Vice-President, Academic