Algonquin College Receives Provincial Funding to Expand Virtual Learning Programs
Posted on Tuesday, June 1st, 2021
OTTAWA (June 1, 2021) – Algonquin College has received approximately $300,000 as part of the Province of Ontario’s Virtual Learning Strategy (VLS) to fund four projects to expand and diversify its online learning opportunities.
The funding will allow the College to develop six new online courses and transition an existing face-to-face course to online, with multiple courses focusing on diversity, inclusion and Indigenous history and culture. The announcement will also see Algonquin working with La Cité College, Carleton University and the University of Ottawa on collaborative new virtual programming.
“Algonquin College is a proven leader in the delivery of high quality remote and virtual post-secondary learning opportunities. We recently celebrated the first anniversary of our AC Online campus, which reported a 26 per cent increase in online enrollments in just the last year,” said Algonquin College President and CEO Claude Brulé. “We are grateful for this financial support from the Province, as it will allow us to build on this success and diversify our already comprehensive list of remote and virtual learning offerings.”
AC Online offers one of the largest selections of online programming amongst post-secondary institutions in Canada. Learners can choose to take a full course load or enrol in a few courses at a time. They can opt for multiple start dates including some programs that have monthly intakes, and they benefit from personalized support from staff throughout their learning journey at the College.
“Both prior to the pandemic and throughout, Algonquin College has been at the forefront of pivoting to virtual learning”, said Ottawa West – Nepean MPP Jeremy Roberts, “I am proud that our Ontario Government is investing in Algonquin’s innovation to make sure that students can continue to learn regardless of any challenges.”
The funding was announced after Algonquin had responded to a call for Expressions of Interest from eCampusOntario. The four projects which received VLS financial support include:
Job Search Readiness for Cooperative Education (with La Cité College)
This course will include a series of self-paced, self-directed, on-demand, micro-modules that focus on competencies that students need to help them gain successful employment in digitally connected work environments. These micro-modules will be designed so that they can be used in a variety of cooperative education capacities, work-integrated learning scenarios and platforms. The course will be made available in both French and English to students from other institutions through OntarioLearn and accessible on the eCampusOntario Library.
Inclusion and Diversity General Education Electives and Degree Breadth Courses
This elective refresh will consist of two general education courses and two degree breadth courses, creating a combined application for four new online courses. The courses will be related to inclusion and diversity, with at minimum one course focusing on Indigenous culture and history.
Apprenticeship Red Seal Certificate of Qualification Preparation Course: Electrician 309A Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Conversion of the Certificate of Qualification Preparation course for apprentices from face to face to online. This will provide options to apprentices, increase and accelerate apprenticeship completions and trades qualification certification.
Building Relationships: Understanding Reconciliation
Creating new online training comprised of four modules that will engage Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners in building a stronger relationship with a better understanding of reconciliation.
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For more information:
Bruce Hickey
Communications Officer
Algonquin College
Chris Lackner
Communications Manager
Algonquin College
Office: 613-727-4723 ext. 2091
Mobile: 613-220-3479
About Algonquin College:
The mission of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success. Algonquin College, an Ontario public sector community college, does this by offering hands-on, digitally connected, experiential learning in more than 185 programs. Based in the Ottawa Valley, Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario.
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