Distance Learning Growing In Canada

CANADA – Canadian distance learning was given an optimistic growth forecast on the 9^th of November, by the latest K–12 report which assesses the state of distance learning in Canada.

The report, the fourth in an annual series by the International Association for K–12 (Kindergarten through to twelfth grade) Online Learning (iNACOL) was entitled ‘State of the Nation: K–12 Online Learning in Canada. The Association released the report during the Virtual School Symposium in Indianapolis.

iNACOL’s President and CEO, Susan Patrick, said that Canada embraced technology and the internet very early on in those system’s development, using them to effectively teach students in distant locations. She added that the expansion in this area has been very significant.

The report details how the total number of K–12 students has increased alongside the proportion of K–12 students who are learning using distance learning. British Columbia is guiding the advance with the most organised regulation system and the greatest student enrolment. Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec are also experiencing high growth.

Assistant Professor Michael K. Barbour of Wayne State University wrote the report, and commented that Canada is different to the USA explaining that in Canada, people see online education as an alternative when regular learning is impossible. This, he said, is becoming less the case in more densely populated provinces where online education is regarded more as an alternative for students who have not been successful in the traditional education system.

iNACOL is a unique education association in that is speaks for a wide selection of K–12 education centres such as charter schools, education districts as well as state and corporate education agencies. It also represents higher education institutions such as universities and colleges. iNACOL is hosting The Virtual Symposium (9–11 Nov) which is currently taking place in Indianapolis.

Countries which were quick and effective in combining the latest technology with distance learning have been able to make great advances in the quality of education which they are able to provide for students over large distances. The future, for countries like Canada, lies in how well they can incorporate the flow of new systems for remote communications which the leading technology companies continue to develop.