This document provides information about distance education and training programs offered through an Ontario-based non-profit organization. It operates 112 access centers across Ontario that provide students with online courses, program information, and application assistance from 25 colleges and 21 universities. The access centers offer orientation, technical support, and encouragement to students pursuing distance education courses and programs.

1. DISTANCE EDUCATION
& TRAINING
college, university &literacy programs & courses
right where you live!

2. Who?
 Established in 1986, non-profit organization
funded by the Government of Ontario.
 We promote elearning to Ontarians living in
small, rural and remote areas and Aboriginal
and Francophone communities across the
province.
 We work with 25 colleges, 21 universities, and
dozens of other education partners.
 We help people change their lives through
education.

3. Where?
There are 112 access centres across Ontario supporting small, rural and
remote areas and Aboriginal and Francophone communities.

4. What?
 At each access centre, you can:
 access information on over 800
programs and 10,000 courses;
 research financial aid options;
 get assistance with the registration
process;
 Our access centre coordinators
offer:
 an orientation on the technology;
 technical support throughout the
course;
 moral support and encouragement
to you as you pursue your course.
 and other services.

5. Best Practices
 Local promotion and customer
service support for all
institutions.
 Local networking is the key
recruitment strategy
 Take people where they are –
literacy, high school and
upgrading are springboards.
 One-stop shop for information
on programs and courses.

6. Lessons Learned
 A rural access approach
can positively impact lower
educational attainment
rates.
 Rural as an accelerator for
increasing postsecondary
participation rates.
 Jurisdictional involvement
and funding is critical
 Sleeping giants

7. Future developments
 Extending more services to
institutions.
 Working even more closely with
persons with disabilities and first
generation learners
 Real-time data exchange.
 Improved credit-transfer
 Tomorrow, the world!

9. Wyoming Distance Learning
Center
Charting the Course
Our First Year

10. Our Charge
 Very broad
 Key terms
 Collaboration
 Equal Access
 Quality learning resources
 Technology
 Training
Serve all of Wyoming’s citizens in an equitable way.
Do not compete with existing distance education efforts!

11. Identified Needs and WyoDLC Responses
 Communication & Support
 Policy (K-12 & Higher Ed)
 Statewide topical Roundtables
 Blogs and web presence
 Availability of distance learning opportunities
 The portal/Webpage
 Instructional design/Distance education support
 State Agencies
 Tele-Health Education
 Conference support

12. Identified Needs and WyoDLC Responses
 Research
 K-12 Parents and Students
 Higher Ed
 Life Long Learners
 State Agencies
 Professional Development/Conferences
 Support innovation-Grants

13. Goals
 To provide the tools needed statewide for distance education to be a viable
choice for all training and educational needs-statewide.
 To collaborate with educational entities, the VCE Coordinator, the Wyoming
State CIO, Higher Ed, K-12, state agencies, municipalities, boards and
associations to increase broadband coverage and use for education
statewide.

14. WCET
Leveraging Leadership?
Tricia Donovan, Executive Director

15. An online learning:
advocate
innovator
leader

16. Consortium Profile
ACCESS 391 communities to date
16,230 registration projection (2010-11)
7,300 unique learners (2009-10)
PARTNERSHIP 15 institutions since 2002
Athabasca University newest member…
CHOICE Over 60 credentials fully online
More than 700 courses available
LEARNERS 24x7 technical support
Lead and Partner Model for holistic support
93% pursuing a credential

17. 2011/12 Governance

18. Making it work
Guidelines
 System Governance
 Equitable Contributions
 Non-duplication
Extending Reach
 Regional Stewardship
 Professional Development
 Mentorship and Certification Programs
 Developing System Approach

19. Successful Practices
Learner centric
80 Community Access Points in Northern Communities
80 Community Adult Learning Councils across province
24/7 technical support for students, faculty and
administrators
Participation in online education research
Quality faculty and administrators
Centralized eLearning portal
Lead and partner model to facilitate access to learner
support services
Raise awareness
Monthly eZine
Support for members’ marketing efforts
Promotion of members’ courses and program offerings

20. System-Wide Impact
By the Numbers
Advocacy
Awareness
Collaboration
Professional Development
Support
Learner Support
Online Curriculum Development Fund
Quality

21. TWELVE MILES TO ANYWHERE
Goal of the original network plan
Curt Madison, PhD
Director of Distance Education
University of Maine System
WCET 2011 Denver

22. 7 Campuses
9 Centers
35 Sites

23. Distance Delivered Credit Hours
80,000
Online
70,000
ITV
Video Conf.
On-Sites
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010

24. Advanced Blended Social Space
• Integration with community problem solvers
• Multiple ad hoc conversation spaces
• Technology intensive atmosphere
• Designed for peripheral awareness

25. Mapping Space to Interaction Use

26. Best Practice for Collaborative Space Design