| Dear CIDER Member,
We invite you to the May CIDER Session at the Canadian Initiative for Distance Education Research. This free, online session will feature Dr. Michael Barbour of Sacred Heart University, Connecticut, and Dr. Randy LaBonte of CANeLearn, presenting findings from their newly-published report, State of the Nation: K-12 E-Learning in Canada.
Title: State of the Nation: K-12 E-Learning in Canada
Current research in K-12 online learning in Canada has focused on defining distance learning and its current strengths and weaknesses. Yet the proliferation of technologies and digital learning spaces has led to the emergence of new instructional strategies and digital learning practices for teachers in many K-12 classrooms, both online and onsite. Traditional school-based classrooms are incorporating technology-supported open learning options, creating “blended learning” opportunities where at least part of instruction occurs in a classroom, part online at a distance, both combined with some element of choice in learning for students. For these emerging practices little is known empirically, only anecdotally, as research into these practices has been limited or nonexistent, particularly in Canada.
As you will hear in the authors’ discussion of the 2015 State of the Nation: K-12 E-Learning in Canada report, many provinces and territories in Canada have some reference to distance education in their Education Act or Schools Act; the reference is typically used to describe distance education or to enable the Ministry of Education to create, approve or regulate K-12 distance education. However, with some exceptions, few provinces and territories have any regulations describing online or blended learning. This presentation will describe and discuss this current state of e-learning in Canada and the need for further research and study in the emerging field of K-12 online and blended learning.
When: Wednesday, May 11, 2016 – 11am to 12noon Mountain Time (Canada)
Where: Online through Adobe Connect:
https://athabascau.adobeconnect.com/cider/
Registration is not required; all are welcome. For more information on CIDER and our monthly Sessions, please visit our website:
http://cider.athabascau.ca
Pre-configuration:
Please note that it is important to set up your system prior to the event. Make sure your Mac or PC is equipped with a microphone and speakers, so that you can use the audio functionality built into the conferencing software. The Adobe Connect platform may require an update to your Flash Player; allow time for this update by joining the session 10 minutes prior to the scheduled presentation.
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CIDER sessions are brought to you by the Centre for Distance Education, Athabasca University: Canada’s Open University and leader in professional online education, with additional support from UNESCO. |
