NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ1095128
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 6
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1539-3100
EISSN: N/A
E-Learning in Canada
McGreal, Rory; Anderson, Terry
International Journal of Distance Education Technologies, v5 n1 p1-6 Jan-Mar 2007
A principal characteristic of the Canadian experience with e-learning is the uniquely Canadian feature of provincial jurisdiction over education. Canada is the only country that does not have a national department or ministry of education. Therefore, any investigation of e-learning in Canada must focus more on specific provincial initiatives in technologically enhanced learning rather than a Canadian overview. In the best sense, Canada's e-learning programming can be viewed as a patchwork quilt made up of interesting projects, programs, and initiatives. In the worst sense, it is a set of disparate and uncoordinated activities constantly struggling with and reinventing solutions to problems solved elsewhere. This article discusses the growing use of e-learning by institutions and how it has stimulated the growth of collaborative networks or consortia, especially in the western provinces such as Saskatchewan, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick, and Newfoundland. In addition to new Canadian e-learning universities popping up in these provinces, US universities are establishing campuses in several Canadian provinces and offering e-learning programming. The remainder of the article discusses significant future trends in Canadian e-learning that should be monitored such as (1) the development of common standards supporting the interoperability of learning resources in the form of learning objects; (2) the implementation of technical standards and interoperability tools for instructional design and activities; and (3) the establishment of learning object repositories with content available in common interoperable formats using XML.
IGI Global. 701 East Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, PA 17033. Tel: 866-342-6657; Tel: 717-533-8845; Fax: 717-533-8661; Fax: 717-533-7115; e-mail: journals@igi-global.com; Web site: http://www.igi-global.com/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A