Creating the Digital Future
Toronto, Ontario
May 23–25, 2001

Distance Education

Overheads from the presentation by Marnie Swanson, University Librarian, University of Victoria

The E-learning E-volution in Colleges and Universities:
A Pan-Canadian Challenge [PDF]

• Prepared by the Advisory Committee for Online Learning (ACOL)

• ACOL was established by the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada, and Industry Canada

• 19 member committee chaired by Dr. David Johnston, President of the University of Waterloo

• 5 months to deliberate

• "Convergence of concern, unprecendented in the learning field, between the two orders of government"

• 125 page report with 39 recommendations

Report

• Accelerate online post-secondary education in Canada

• Act quickly

• "In the new digital age, many established institutions in Canada and elsewhere may find their positions eroded or expanded by online learning. Few will remain unaffected"

• Pan-Canadian action plan

• Inclusiveness:

• all post-secondary institutions

• French and English language learners

• regional differences

• urban and rural learners

• faculty members, support staff and learners

Recommendations

• Systematically support the development of online modules, courses and programs

• Support faculty involvedment in online learning

• Need for more theoretical and applied research on learning, both traditional and online

• Need for commitment to the development of learnware products

• Revise federal copyright laws

• Establish a fully integrated, high-bandwidth learning network

• Provide a full range of technical and other supports to learners

• Enable learners to ttake online courses from several institutions

Implementation

• Pan-Canadian Online Learning Service

• at arms length from government

• broadly representative of stakeholders

• Large infusion of new money

Reaction

• Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada

• Canadian Association of University Teachers

• Canadian Federation of Students

• Canadian Association of Research Libraries

CARL's Response

• Libraries are essential partners in the online learning endeavors described in the ACOL report

• Four roles:

1. As information literacy trainers
2. As experts in organizing and providing access to online resources
3. As content provicers through digitization projects
4. As providers of print resources for learners

• Urge that academic libraries be full and active partners as government, industry and the post-secondary sector move forward into the future envisioned by the authors of the ACOL report