Steering Committee Oct505

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Albertas Distributed Learning Strategy
Hélène Fournier, helene.fournier_at_gov.ab.ca
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What is Distributed Learning?

• Distributed Learning is a model which offers
  multiple channels of learning and teaching
  through a variety of delivery formats and mediums
  print, digital (online), and traditional
  delivery methods allowing teachers, students,
  and content to be located in different,
  non-centralized locations.
• Distributed Learning connects students with
  teachers across the province, and in so doing,
  provides choice, flexibility, and authentic
  learning experiences.
• Distributed Learning includes all forms of
  learning where, by design, students and their
  teachers are separated in time and/or space for
  some or all of their interactions.

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Albertas Vision for Distributed Learning

• High quality learning opportunities and choice
  that transcend the barriers of time and/or
  location in enabling students quest for
  excellence in learning.

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Albertas Mission for Distributed Learning

• Alberta is committed to learner success through
  the development of collaborative and sustainable
  relationships that allow choice, flexibility, and
  authentic learning experiences. This includes a
  variety of resource formats, delivery mediums and
  strong teacher influence that allow learning and
  teaching to be individualized and independent of
  time and place.

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Key Success Factors

• Interdependent and mutually supportive
  environment for collaboration
• High quality distributed learning resources
  acquired or developed and shared
• Reduced duplication of efforts and expenditures
• Strong leadership and teachers prepared for
  distributed learning
• Student and parent access to province-wide
  distributed learning information and resources
• Applied research to improve quality,
  customization, efficiencies, effectiveness and
  accountability

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Key Leadership Principles

• Leadership respects the complex nature of
  distributed learning
• Involves a cross-section of groups those that
  provide the services and those who use them
• Committed to cooperation, both within Alberta and
  beyond, to gather the best ideas, products, and
  services
• Dedicated to the vision and constantly gathering
  data, scanning the environment, and tracking
  trends
• Adapts strategies based on knowledge gained
  during implementation
• Encourages safe-fail experiments that promote
  promising new practices

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Distributed Learning Strategy Overview

• Technical Standards
• Centralized teaching and learning technology
  solution
• Content Delivery Device Network
• Object repositories
• Student Information (PASI)
• Videoconferencing
• Web-based Collaboration
• SuperNet VPN and Internet connectivity
• Research emerging technologies, system
  infrastructure

Infrastructure

• Development delivery Standards
• Online learner assessment
• Tools for teachers and learners
• LearnAlberta
• Online courses and digital assets
• E-texts
• Comprehensive resource portfolios
• Research effective resource development and
  delivery practice models

Professional Growth Skills Development
Digital Content Learning Delivery

• Teaching Quality Standards
• Ongoing support for growth
• Online professional learning communities
• Research successful teaching leadership
  practices

• Student Parent
• Ongoing student support
• Individualized and meaningful learning
• Parent awareness and support for distributed
• learning

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Priority Actions and Outcomes of Albertas
Strategy

• Priority Action 1
• Establish provincial policy, protocol, and
  principles for the development and delivery of
  distributed learning.
• Outcomes
• The School Act, policy and funding allocations
  are conducive to the delivery of distributed
  learning
• Minimum distributed learning delivery standards
  are consistently met by all distributed learning
  providers
• Distributed learning providers report student
  information on a regular basis
• A common set of principles and guidelines build
  continuous improvement in the development and
  delivery of distributed learning

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Priority Actions and Outcomes of Albertas
Strategy

• Priority Action 2
• Create a supporting environment for continuous
  improvement and building teaching and leadership
  capacity for innovation
• Outcomes
• Increased professional development opportunities
  for teachers delivering distributed learning
• Successful practices and ideas are shared
• Safe ways of trying new ideas are supported
• Jurisdiction leaders (principals and
  superintendents) understand distributed learning
  and what it can do for students
• Parents recognize that distributed learning
  offers high quality learning opportunities
• Teachers in regular classrooms recognize that
  distributed learning offers high quality learning
  opportunities

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Priority Actions and Outcomes of Albertas
Strategy

• Priority Action 3
• Facilitate the coordination of resource
  development efforts
• Outcomes
• Reduced duplication of efforts
• Fiscal balance provides incentive for equitable
  contribution
• Resources are of high quality and align with
  Programs of Studies
• All distributed learning resources are aligned
  with the implementation schedule
• Resources are available in multiple formats and
  meet the diverse needs of students

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Priority Actions and Outcomes of Albertas
Strategy

• Priority Action 4
• Provide a central point of access to all
  distributed learning resources and supports
  available in the Province
• Outcomes
• Equitable access to distributed learning
  resources, professional development services, and
  student support
• Single point of access to information about all
  distributed learning courses and programs in the
  province
• Student data and information on students learning
  in distributed learning environments is
  systematically collected
• Enhanced professional development opportunities
  through central online professional learning
  communities
• Equitable access to infrastructure and technical
  support for teachers

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Key Activities

• 2007-08
• Develop standards, principles, and guidelines in
  technology, curriculum, assessment, and delivery
• Begin review of The School Act, funding practices
  and governance model for distributed learning
  delivery and development in Alberta
• Promote the benefits of distributed learning to
  teachers and administrators
• Develop business case for a centralized teaching
  and learning technology solution

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Key Activities

• 2008-09
• Implement accountability and reporting for
  distributed learning
• Create online professional learning communities
  for teachers and administrators
• Begin transition to centralized teaching and
  learning technology solution
• Create collaborative resource development plan

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Key Activities

• 2009-10
• Support online professional development
  opportunities
• Transition to centralized teaching and learning
  technology solution
• Develop courses through a collaborative course
  development model

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Key Activities

• 2010-11
• Integrate with existing infrastructure and
  initiatives

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Working Group Structure
PAAC
Distributed Learning Working Group
Resources Expert Group
Infrastructure Expert Group
Standards Expert Working Group
PD Expert Working Group
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Questions?Comments?

• What are the strengths of the Action Plans
• What is missing from the Action Plans?
• Overal, what are the risks of implementing this
  Strategy? How can we manage these risks?