eCampusOntario

Virtual Learning Strategy (VLS)

eCampusOntario Releases Second Round of Virtual Learning Strategy EOIs

On November 4, 2021 eCampusOntario released the call for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the Second Round of funding in support of the Government of Ontario’s Virtual Learning Strategy (VLS). 

Building on an initial investment of $50 million in virtual learning in January, 2021, an additional $8 million will now be made available by eCampusOntario through this Second Round of the VLS. $7 million is available through the EOIs launched on November 4. 

Originally announced on December 11, 2020, the VLS is an historic investment by the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) to drive growth and advancement in virtual learning across the province’s post-secondary institutions. Throughout 2021, eCampusOntario supported the funding of over 395 projects led by Ontario’s publicly assisted Indigenous institutes, colleges and universities. This First Round of projects, which will be completed by March 2022, are significantly expanding options for traditional and life-long learning through the accelerated use of both online and hybrid learning. 

Building on the successes of the inaugural funding, the Second Round continues to expand the capacity and quality of virtual learning in Ontario’s postsecondary education sector. 

Focus Report – June 2022

Framework

The Virtual Learning Strategy is built on three key pillars:

OER

Being the future

Providing sector supports to drive a continued co-existence with hybrid learning: Ensuring learners have high-quality education: anytime, from anywhere. This requires quality and innovation, better data, and digital access to enable lifelong learning and fuel Ontario’s global competitiveness;

Framework image

Being a lifelong learner

Enabling learners to meet the needs of the rapidly evolving labour market at any stage of their careers by providing digital supports and infrastructure for new short duration training.

World image

Being a global leader

Strengthening Ontario’s leadership domestically and globally, by expanding access for Ontario’s institutions to the global marketplace for virtual learning. With this, we aim to position Ontario as a global leader for virtual innovation in teaching and learning, including Ontario educational technology companies.

VLS Principles

Collaborate

Collaborative

The VLS prioritizes collaboration for sector transformation that impacts all institutions.

Learner

Learner-driven

The VLS drives virtual learning excellence for all learners in Ontario, now and into the future.

Digital design

Digital by design

The VLS supports the development of online content that is digital by design.

commitee

The Virtual Learning Advisory Committee  

eCampusOntario has assembled a group of experts to support in the design and administration of the VLS. The Virtual Learning Advisory Committee (VLAC) supports eCampusOntario in the implementation of Ontario’s Virtual Learning Strategy (VLS) by providing advice and support for the allocation of virtual learning supports funding for the postsecondary education system in Ontario.

The Virtual Learning Advisory Committee provides strategic implementation advice with:

  • Sector-specific knowledge
  • Expertise in systemic supports for virtual learning
  • First-hand experience with teaching and learning online
  • Educational technology, startup or industry engagement expertise
  • Expertise in the management of granting programs and familiarity with best practices
  • Industry engagement and educational policy experience
  • Familiarity and commitment to Equity, Decolonization, Diversity and Inclusion

eCampusOntario is here to support the post-secondary sector in responding to the Virtual Learning Strategy.

Our role:

  • Provide orientation and support for the sector through Technical Briefings
  • Draw on VLAC expertise to administer efficient and transparent funding distribution process
  • Support the execution of project work
  • Work with and draw on sector progress to communicate systemic VLS impact
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eCampusOntario is a not-for-profit centre of excellence and global leader in the evolution of teaching and learning through technology.