蓝莓视频

The University of 蓝莓视频 has been awarded听almost听$1.5听million听from the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) as part of their $50 million investment in听virtual learning.听听Ontario鈥檚听Virtual Learning听Strategy will expand the possibilities of traditional and life-long learning through the accelerated use of both online and hybrid learning.听听

As Ontario鈥檚 postsecondary education sector rapidly transitioned to remote delivery in 2020, the need for virtual learning supports to enable access to high-quality learning quickly became apparent.听Recognizing听online learning听within听the University鈥檚 2020-2025听strategic plan,听蓝莓视频 had听52,600+ online course enrolments in 2019/20听and more than 500 online courses听available听in听its听regular course catalogue.听With this funding, more can be done; not only听for听蓝莓视频 students听but for听instructors and students across the province.听

"Universities are being called to improve society and drive prosperity in a responsible way by challenging traditional models of education," says Feridun Hamdullahpur, University of 蓝莓视频 president and vice-chancellor. "As we鈥檝e seen from the past year, online and virtual learning are key components in the future of education. 蓝莓视频 is committed to transforming how we teach and learn, and to educating global citizens who are able to thrive in an age of rapid change."

Through these听awards, 蓝莓视频听can further听share听its听extensive experience in online learning, explore new avenues听for听providing engaging learning opportunities听and听aid听other institutions and community members.听Come March 2022, 19 project proposals from 28 authors will be freely accessible through the University of 蓝莓视频 to any post-secondary institution in Ontario.听

Some of听蓝莓视频鈥檚听funded听projects include:听

• Creation of a graduate-level听module听on Indigenous health and social justice听

• Developing a Mental Health Literacy Course for Ontario Colleges and Universities听

• Developing a 360潞 virtual reality tour and simulations of a chemical processing plant听

• Helping the not-for-profit sector improve their volunteer management practices, standards and听strategies听

• Reconceptualizing听our Instructional Skills Workshop听鈥斕齛n internationally recognized, peer-based,听learner-centred听teaching development听program

"蓝莓视频 has been a leader in online learning in Canada for many decades, providing high quality, engaging learning opportunities for our students," says Aldo Caputo, director, Centre for Extended Learning. "Now, thanks to this funding, we鈥檒l be able to further enhance learning experiences for our students and share the outcomes of these projects with the entire Ontario higher education community."

For a full list听of the 19 funded programs, visit听the听Centre for Extended Learning website.听

These projects are truly a great demonstration of collaboration, both across 蓝莓视频听faculties and听Academic Support Units,听and听externally听with听more than 15 Ontario听college and university partners.听蓝莓视频 will听also听be able to take advantage of the other听funded听projects to enhance our听existing 蓝莓视频听resources.听

The number of听听courses offered and registrations听have been growing听rapidly across Canada for听many听years, and听many听post-secondary institutions view online learning as strategically important.听听听

In 2017, well before the pandemic, it was estimated that in any semester,听.听Online learning offers students more flexibility in scheduling, greater access to听a wide range of听courses, and in some cases a better learning experience.听There are benefits for students with accessibility needs as well as for working professionals who want to improve their circumstances.听听Based on the growing number of enrolments,听the ability to learn online is now听an听expectation听of students and it is here to stay.听

Ontario鈥檚 Virtual Learning Strategy will enable 蓝莓视频, and other听universities and colleges to offer improved online experiences听and help prepare students for听a听complex and听rapidly changing world.听听