Virtual Researcher On Call (VROC) workshop at the 2013 Digital Learning Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia. This workshop provided an overview of VROC, explained how this program is being used to bring the world into the classroom at the request of the teacher and student, and demonstrated the process through an interactive session with Dr. Thomas Merritt from Laurentian University.

1. VROC: The world in your classroom
@VROCCanada

2. What is VROC
S University Researchers Classroom
T
College professors d
E
M Professionals

3. Why we do it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o

4. Finding your Space Jam
STEP ONE - REAL TIME, INTERACTION WITH KNOWLEDGE PARTNERS (KP)
Video conferencing programs: Experts on Demand and On the Fly
Coming soon: ExpertBook
Find a KP- http://www.vroc.ca/expertbook/index.php?s=51156e3449938&page=expertlist&id=38
Learn about a KP- http://www.vroc.ca/expertbook/index.php?s=51156e3449938&page=expertbiofull&id=38
Connect with a KP - http://www.vroc.ca/expertbook/index.php?s=51156e3449938&page=search&id=38

5. How we do it
Introducing Dr.Thomas Merritt, Associate Professor and
Tier 2 Canada Research Chair
in Genomics and Bioinformatics

6. Finding your Space Jam
STEP TWO -- FAST PACED INTERVIEWS WITH STEM PROFESSIONALS
Video podcast series: Science Scoop, Tech Talk, Engineer This, Why
Math?
Watch here on VROC Video! http://www.vroc.ca/video/view/C-ea53a0a1-e0cb-420d-a86e-ca40a1bd8bc5:1

7. Finding your Space Jam
STEP THREE - FREE ONLINE STEM RESOURCES
VROC Video - http://www.vroc.ca/video/
e.g. Alberta Innovates Technology Futures - http://www.vroc.ca/video/view/C-02471ab6-a373-43ff-
a016-307039d011ca:1

8. Really? Why?
Almost 75 per cent of new jobs between 2009 and 2018 will be in high-skill occupations - Let’s Talk
Science
A shortage of more than one million skilled workers is forecasted by 2020, with an estimated
40 percent of all new jobs in the skilled trades and technology industries - Skills/Compétences
Canada
Yet...
Let’s talk science has learned from attitude surveys that when students are younger they have great
interest in science. As they get older...science is seen more as “complicated” and “difficult,” as one
survey said, versus “fun” or “inspiring.”
The same survey also indicated that as they get older, an increasing number of students not only
abandon the idea of STEM-related careers, but fail to see how this education will be relevant at all
to any future job
So...
Public-private-academia partnership are needed to ensure a better match between the education
and skills of young graduates and job seekers with those needed by Canadian employers

9. Questions?

10. Keep in touch!
Website: www.vroc.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/virtualresearcheroncall
Twitter: @VROCCanada
Blog: http://www.vroc.ca/pir/en/pir-blog/