A new vision of education making full use of 21st-century technology has been labelled bold and exciting.
Distributed Learning would enable students in the region to connect with teachers by video conferencing or the Internet.
It would also allow students to link up with teachers from other schools, even outside classroom schedules.
“I am really excited about it,” said educational services coordinator Pauletta Renkema during a presentation of the concept at the Pembina Hills school board meeting on Nov. 9.
“There are so many things we can do,” she said. “Things to help our teachers, things to help our students, things to help parents.”
Supt. Egbert Stang said the goal was to engage learners and give them as many chances as possible. Under the plan, students would have more choice, flexibility and improved access to education.
“We have to build and grow,” he said, adding the region was entering a major time of transition.
“It is an exciting learning journey,” he said.
Deputy Supt. Colleen Symyrozum-Watt agreed the concept was exciting, but stressed research was still being done on the best ways to implement it in the area. Baby steps were advisable first, before rushing headlong into an unknown future.
“What we are doing now is putting big, bold brush strokes on an empty canvas,” she said.
Symyrozum-Watt add-ed that Distributed Learning should not be seen as a panacea.
“What might work for your son might not work for my daughter,” she said.
The board of trustees welcomed the strategy, which they heard consisted of three one-year stages. The proposed budget for the three years is $900,000.
Under the strategy, video conferencing and courses will start to be offered between September 2013 and June 2014.
Teachers will be provided with support and professional development on the use of video conferencing and web-based seminars, known as webinars.
In the fall of 2013 students will be encouraged to collaborate with students around the world, while in October there will be a review of the use of electronic textbooks.
Some of the foundation for the new concept, involving extensive research and collaboration with schools and the Alberta Distance Learning Centre, has already been laid.
A survey is now being undertaken to gauge student, parent and teacher views about access to individualized learning opportunities to help prepare them for the 21st century.
It is hoped the surveys will be completed by January 2012.
In presenting the draft plan, Renkema said Distributed Learning was a model that allowed instructors, students and content “to be located in non-centralized locations” so that students had access to learning and teaching through a variety of formats and media.
“This variety may include print, online materials and traditional delivery methods,” she said.
She said technology had allowed students around the globe to learn at any time, any place, any pace and any pathway.
“Technology has assisted in the creation of the global virtual classroom,” she said. “Distributed Learning is a significant new learning delivery model to emerge in the last ten years.”
“Educational research and analysis indicated that distributed learning is growing rapidly in Canada, she said, which is helping to predict that high schools will become centres where students register for the courses they want and need.
“It is proposed that the new school act will change attendance at school to participation in a jurisdiction program,” Renkema said.
Renkema added that Distributed Learning would mean students have the chance to engage with their peers in their class, school, province, country and around the world.
“Learning opportunities and choices will be provided using online digital and video conferencing technologies,” she said, which will serve to further enhance learning and teaching.
She added students and teachers would have access to courses at any time and place. In addition, students would also have access to “differentiated instruction” and the choice to determine progress and completion.
“Students will be provided with the knowledge, skills and expertise needed to succeed and work in the 21st century,” she said.
Renkema stressed the importance of community engagement.
“Participation in the planning of the Distributed Learning plan must involve all of the educational stakeholders,” she said. “Parent council meetings and the board planning process involves all stakeholders. Information regarding the benefits of the plan and the proposed plan can be given at meetings.”
Parents and community members can be invited to participate in the videoconferencing sessions as an observer or as an expert describing their experiences, she added.
Symyrozum-Watt said change can be scary, but the board has proven it was not afraid to change.
She said Distributed Learning is an exciting concept, but the division is still at the experimental stage with it.
“We have done a ton of research,” she said. “What is Distributed Learning? It is a huge concept. It can be bold if implemented in the right way.”
“We are excited about doing an accountability report later,” she added.
