title: Navigating the changing learning landscape: perspective from bioinformatics.ca.
abstract: With the advent of YouTube channels in bioinformatics, open platforms for problem solving in bioinformatics, active web forums in computing analyses and online resources for learning to code or use a bioinformatics tool, the more traditional continuing education bioinformatics training programs have had to adapt. Bioinformatics training programs that solely rely on traditional didactic methods are being superseded by these newer resources. Yet such face-to-face instruction is still invaluable in the learning continuum. Bioinformatics.ca, which hosts the Canadian Bioinformatics Workshops, has blended more traditional learning styles with current online and social learning styles. Here we share our growing experiences over the past 12 years and look toward what the future holds for bioinformatics training programs.
authors.affiliation: Informatics and Bio-computing Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 101 College, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada. Tel/Fax: +416-673-8502. michelle.brazas@oicr.on.ca.
authors.forename: Michelle D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Brazas
authors.forename: B F Francis
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Ouellette
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D019295:Computational Biology / Q000193:education*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D020407:Internet; D007858:Learning; D013663:Teaching
keywords: bioinformatics; continuing education; massive open online courses (MOOCs); online learning