Ottawa, September 8, 2020: As Canada grapples with the challenges of students returning to school, ICTC is pleased to announce a third tier of edtech research to help guide policy makers, school administrators, and educators continue their implementation of online learning (e-learning).
In the context of COVID-19, schools are considering reduced class sizes, staggered starts, masks, or masks only for certain ages, and e-learning to keep students and teachers safe. Depending on the jurisdiction, the scenarios include a sliding scale between traditional in-class learning and entirely e-learning.
ICTC’s latest edtech research is will explore the following:
- Models and best practices for successful e-learning—An in-depth review of successful national and international e-learning models
- Perceptions of e-learning—Feedback from learners and educators in K-12, post-secondary, and continuing education (including workers upskilling programs)
- Assessments of the growing role of e-learning—Analysis of best practices and recommendations on the role of e-learning in the future
- An e-learning process roadmap—Outlining best practices, critical methods, policies, and guidelines for implementing e-learning
The current research will also tackle complex issues of edtech funding, privacy, equity (access to technology, connectivity, and skills), professional training for teachers and administrators, and the impacts e-learning on indigenous students and communities.
This research builds on two previous tiers: the first is published in “Class, Take Out Your Tablets: The Impact of Technology on Learning and Teaching in Canada,” which examines the development of innovative educational technologies and their impact on Canadian classrooms and communities; the second extends this work by evaluating the benefits of technology for education and how technology is fundamentally changing the way students learn and the way educators teach (report soon to be published).
“The future of education is upon us, paving the way for an increasingly self-paced and personalized learning environment that better responds to the changing nature of work. Embracing edtech for greater student engagement, interactivity, and reach is pivotal for helping Canada’s youth succeed in tomorrow’s economy,” said Namir Anani, ICTC President & CEO.
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) is a not-for-profit, national centre of expertise for strengthening Canada’s digital advantage in a global economy. Through trusted research, practical policy advice, and creative capacity-building programs, ICTC fosters globally competitive Canadian industries enabled by innovative and diverse digital talent. In partnership with an expansive network of industry leaders, academic partners, and policy makers from across Canada, ICTC has empowered a robust and inclusive digital economy for over 25 years.
For interviews with an ICTC research lead and other media inquiries, please contact Paul Stastny at p.stastny@ictc-ctic.ca or 403.351.0138 Ext. 823.
A French language version of this press release is available here.