1. BIRS Impact of Women on research and Education in Mathematics
Academic Development of Women through Distance Education
Maria Torres
March 16-18, 2018

2. Open Online University
Remove barriers that can limit access to post-secondary achievements

3. Barriers for Learning Time Assistance Language
Time: AU courses are not for the full time student.
Learning requires practice, careful reading, practice, careful writing, practice, careful thinking, and practice. All this reduces it to time, time.
Give students time to think by being flexible, no deadlines. Submit assignments when they are ready, take exams when they are ready. Give the option to buy extensions.
Assistance. Provided by a tutor or resources. Unfortunately, technology provides too much of the latter. Students can easily get lost in the information. Courses are self-contained, and guided as to what is out there. Tutors are vital on guiding students learning and fostering communication between students and coordinator.
Language. Immigrants are no the only ones that struggle with language. Students need resources on references, quotations and presentation of reports.

4. Women and Math Background Commitment Family support Immigrant Women
Background. Background is an issue for all students, but women in particular struggle with their confidence. The isolation of distance education helps and we provide resources to learn and re-learn concepts.
Commitment. Family commitments take precedent for women. We address learning needs and advice individually. We are flexible on academic rules and are able to provide extra help.
Family support. Discouragement is often found among single mothers. Our personal approach is key to keep them going.
Immigrant women. Participation in the labor force is crucial to their personal development and self-esteem. AU provides recognition for previous learning and previous experience.

5. Math Education is Important for Women
Participation in the labor force
Advancement in the labor force
Upgrading of knowledge
Change of careers
Participation in the labor force. It is well document fact that women need to be part of the decision making process of engineering, business, health sciences, etc. An educated women in these fields improve the quality of services rendered.
Advancement in the labor force. Women need to reach the levels where decision are made. They cannot do it without upgrading their education, this is done usually after family commitments. So distance education must provide.
Upgrading or knowledge and change of careers. Professionals change careers at least 3 times in the life times. This is because of the labor dynamics. Careers are becoming obsolete within the life time of a professional.
Women are at a disadvantage because of their family commitments. No just children but because of their role as caregivers.

6. What else can we do? Education paid by the powers to be
Encourage women to get informed about the education options available
Education paid by the powers to be. Offer training, courses to fit the needs of government, business, sciences, etc.
Information. Change careers is not easy but possible. Information needs to be provided taking into consideration women circumstances.

7. Once upon a time….
University programs were designed for the full time student
Universities expected the students to adapt to the requirements of their learning outcomes
Universities imposed their criteria as to what students have to know
Part time students. No longer we can assume that students are full time.
Universities need to adapt to the learning needs of the students.
Student are choosing what they want to learn.

8. Nowadays Distance is no longer a barrier
Universities need to accommodate students’ learning needs
Universities need to develop programs to suit the professional landscapes
If they do not, women will migrate to whatever education institutions fulfill their needs..
Distance is no longer a barrier
Learning needs and life styles. Particularly women, we are more than 50% of the student population
Professions disappear and are created, universities must also
Those teaching institutions that best adapt to the changing times will attract the global students

9. ANIW Alberta Network for Immigrant Women aniw.org
Online program to help immigrant women to get professional accreditations. One profession at a time Program for the accreditation of dentists
ANIW has taken upon themselves to help women a field at a time. Currently, ANIW offers a program to help immigrant dentist to get accredited or enter a field related to their profession.
The program is offered online, with support among themselves.