The 12th issue of the State of the Nation: K-12 e-Learning in Canada report is also the seventh year of the Canadian eLearning Network’s (CANeLearn) support of this research. This report and its accompanying research briefs and vignettes grow in importance given the increasing interest and attention e-learning is taking in K-12 education. New policy changes in several provinces have sparked public debate about the effectiveness and application of e-learning. Now, more than ever, research specific to e-learning in K-12 education in Canada is necessary to inform policy changes and the conversations generated.
This report provides a foundation for expanding research that reflects the diversity of needs and solutions that digital technologies and e-learning are addressing in our educational practices. This issue, unlike those in the past, describes only changes that have occurred in relation to the governance and e-learning activity with full jurisdictional profiles available on the project research website at https://k12sotn.ca/data/. Additionally, any brief issue papers and vignettes received are simply introduced or referred to in this report, but are presented in full on the website.
While there have been no major changes in the nature of regulation governing K-12 distance and online learning activity and distance or online learning enrolment remains relatively stable, there were several initiatives launched or concluding in the 2018-19 school year likely to impact activity in two provinces as well as in First Nations programs nationally. Ontario announced that starting in the 2020-21 school year e-learning would be centralized and two e-learning course credits would be required of the 30 credits to achieve an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. In British Columbia a review of funding for K-12 in the province will result in a change in policy as well as funding for the province’s distributed learning (e-learning) programs.
The State of the Nation: K-12 e-Learning in Canada report, and its accompanying publications on its project website, provides critical information and insight into how Canadian educational authorities and governments are integrating technology-supported approaches to prepare students for today’s economy and a future society in which the use of technology will be ubiquitous. The report and website provide a benchmark for educators and offers background, guidance, and ideas for the improvement of policy and practice in online and blended learning. The online version of the State of the Nation: K-12 e-Learning in Canada will continue to be the comprehensive resource for e-learning in each jurisdiction.
The full report is available at https://k12sotn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/StateNation19.pdf