Barbour, M. K. (2011, February). Exploring issues related to online learning at the K-12 level across Canada. An invited presentation in the Doctoral Speaker Series in the Faculty of Education at Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL.

2. distance education
virtual school
correspondence education
online learning
e-learning
cyber school
distributed learning
tele-learning
web-based learning

3. Definitions
• distance education = distributed learning
• online learning = web-based learning =
telelearning = e-learning
• virtual school - supplemental
• cyber school - full-time

4. State of the Nation: K-12 Online Learning in
Canada

6. Methodology
Province/Territory 2008 2009 2010
Newfoundland & KS / DA MoE / DA DA
Labrador
Nova Scotia DA MoE / DA MoE
Prince Edward Island DA KS / DA MoE
New Brunswick DA MoE / DA MoE
Quebec KS KS / DA MoE / KS
Ontario KS / DA KS / DA KS / DA
Manitoba KS MoE / DA MoE
Saskatchewan KS / DA MoE MoE
Alberta DA KS / DA KS / DA
British Columbia MoE / DA MoE / DA MoE

7. National Overview
Single provincial
program
Combination of
provincial and
district-based
programs
Primarily district-
based
programs
Use programs
from other
provinces
Between 150,00 and 175,000 K-12 students took one or more DE courses

8. Atlantic Canada
• NL/NB - Ministry
operated programs
• NS - multiple Ministry
operated programs
(including legacy) &
district-based programs
• PE - small video
conferencing program &
online learning from NB

9. Central Canada
• QC - correspondence
program operated by
districts / synchronous
online program /
province-wide PD
program
• ON - district-based
programs using Ministry
CMS and content

10. Western Canada
• MN - three province-wide
programs provided by the
Ministry, one of which is
operated by the districts
• SK - all district-based programs
(most online learning)
• AB - single province-wide,
multiple district-based &
private programs
• BC - all district-based programs

11. Northern Canada
• YK/NT/NV - all use
programs from Alberta
(generally ADLC)
• YK - also uses programs
from BC & has small
video-conferencing
program
• NV - trying to develop
more culturally sensitive
programs

12. Some Interesting Findings
• first online learning programs began in 1993
in British Columbia
- still most extensive user with over 71,000
students enrolled in one or more courses
• most extensive distance education
regulations found in British Columbia
- funding follows student
• several provinces provide content and
infrastructure, but districts operate programs

13. Some Interesting Findings
• method of delivery is still print-based in many
instances
- greater reliance upon synchronous tools
than elsewhere
• unions are cautious supporters
- BCTF has conducted most of the research
into their programs
- NSTU has 11 provisions concerning
distance education in their agreement

14. Some Interesting Findings
• seen as a substitute when face-to-face
learning is not feasible or economic
- largely in rural areas
- primarily in specialized subject areas
- often for highly selective students

15. Your
Questions
and
Comments

16. Preparation of Teachers to Design, Deliver &
Support K-12 Online Learning

17. What Is Available
limited Canadian opportunities focused on preparing
K-12 teachers to design, delivery and support online
learning
- Ontario recently introduced an e-learning
teaching qualification
growing number of US-based opportunities,
particularly graduate-level certificate programs
- some states even have online teaching
endorsements

20. Memorial University of Newfoundland
Diploma in TeleLearning and Rural School Teaching
 TeleLearning in a Rural School Intranet
 Effective Teaching Strategies for Multi-grade/Multi-age Classrooms
 Special Needs in the Context of Rural Schools
 Leadership Perspectives in Rural Schools
 Contemporary Educational Issues in Rural Schools
 Resource-based Learning in the Context of Rural Schools
Choose four of the following:
 Curriculum Connections in Multi-grade/Multi-age Classrooms
 Rural Schools and Community Relations
 Rural Schools as Community Learning Centres
 Curriculum Implementation in All-grade Rural Schools
 Student Assessment in the Context of Rural Schools
 General Classroom Music
 Special Topics Courses in TeleLearning and Rural School Teaching

21. Queen’s University
Teaching and Learning Online
Course Aims and Objectives
 to critically examine present and proposed uses of
the Internet/Web in teaching and learning
 to collaboratively construct images of what effective
online learning could be
 for each class member, to increase understanding
and skills related to the development, presentation,
and delivery of online content and learning
resources
Includes an alternate practicum to allow students to
do some student teaching online

22. Ontario
• Teaching qualification for Teaching & Learning Through e-Learning
- analyzing, interpreting and implementing Ministry of Education curriculum and district school
board policies and guidelines particularly in the area of e-Learning
- having and applying the theoretical understanding necessary to design, implement and assess e-
Learning programs and practices
- modeling and adapting expectations, strategies and assessment practices in response to the
individual needs of students in the e-Learning environment
- facilitating the creation of e-Learning environments conducive to the intellectual, social, emotional,
physical, linguistic, cultural, spiritual and moral development of the student collaborating with in-
school personnel, parents/guardians and the community
- accessing and exploring a variety of resources, including technological resources, within and
beyond the educational system to enhance professional knowledge in support of student e-
Learning
- refining professional practice through ongoing inquiry, dialogue and reflection
- supporting and modeling ethical practices
- understanding the need to respect and conserve resources in the environment
- understanding how to create and sustain professional e-Learning communities
- developing awareness of First Nations, Métis and Inuit (Aboriginal) ways of knowing and
perspectives
- integrating environmentally respectful practices
- creating and sustaining safe, equitable and inclusive learning environments
- that honor and respect diversity.

23. Plymouth State University
Framingham State College
Northwest Nazarene University
Northwest Nazarene University
Graduate Certificate in Online University
Northwest Nazarene
Teaching and Learning (in
partnership with Virtual High
School)
 21st Century Teaching and Learning
 Web-enhanced Classroom
 Online-extended Teaching
 Web 2.0: Collaborative Instruction
 Becoming an Online Teacher

24. Boise State University
Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching
 Online Teaching in the K-12 Environment
 Advanced Online Teaching Methods
Choose one of the following:
 The Internet for Educators
 Online Course Design
 Teaching and Learning In Virtual Worlds
 Educational Games and Simulations

25. University of Florida
Graduate Certificate in Online
Teaching and Learning
Choose three of the following:
 Designing and Delivering Online Content
 Distance Teaching and Learning
 Virtual Schools Philosophy and Pedagogy
 Distance Education Leadership and
Management

26. Wayne State University
Graduate Certificate in Online
Teaching
 Foundations of Distance Education
 Facilitation of On-Line and Face-To-Face Learning
 Practicum in Instructional Technology
Choose two of the following:
 Designing Web Tools for the Classroom
 Web-Based Courseware Development
 Internet in the Classroom
 Multimedia for Instruction
 Advanced Multimedia for Instruction

27. Arizona State University
Graduate Certificate in Online
Teaching K-12
 Principles and Issues in Online Teaching
 Methods of Teaching Online
 Online Course Design
 Practicum in Online Teaching
Choose one of the following:
 Technology and Integration
 Digital Video in the Classroom
 Using the Internet in Education
 Technology in Language Arts and Social Studies in Education
 Technology in Mathematics and Science Education
 Emerging Technologies
 Technology as Mindtools

28. State of Georgia
Online Teaching Endorsement Program
Georgia State University Valdosta State University
 Integrating Technology  Course Management Systems
into School-Based for E-LearningResources and
Environments Strategies for E-
 Evaluation and Assessment
LearningDesign and Delivery
of Instruction for E-Learning
for Online Learning
 The Internet for Educators
 E-Learning Environments

29. Iowa State University
Teacher Education Goes Into
Virtual Schooling
 introduction of an online student teaching experience
 creation of virtual schooling content

30. Your
Questions
and
Comments

31. Assistant Professor
Wayne State University
mkbarbour@gmail.com
http://www.michaelbarbour.com
http://virtualschooling.wordpress.com