OISE hosts e-learning technology leaders, experts
August 16, 2011
For the first time at the University of Toronto, 24 members of the Ontario University Council on eLearning (OUCEL) convened at the OUCEL 2011 Summer Institute, hosted by this year by OISE. Representatives from the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada were welcomed as special guests.
OUCEL is a professional association for learning technology leaders from Ontario universities and includes many well-known experts in e-learning from across the province. One such leader is Laurie Harrison, director of information technology at OISE and technology guru at U of T, who was instrumental in organizing and hosting the institute this year.
Laurie, whose expertise is currently shared between OISE and the Office of the Vice-President and Provost of the University of Toronto where she is involved in a special project to develop new capacity in the area of online learning, said of the benefits for students, “Maxim Jean-Louis, who has been special advisor to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities on the Ontario Online Institute initiative, spoke about the value of sharing information about on-line course design and development strategies between universities so that students can realize the benefit of improved course quality,” adding that OISE will be involved in discussions about the role of online learning in increasing access and ensuring inclusion of students with diverse needs.
This year's agenda included a discussion of the latest developments in learning technology design that support new legislated standards for accessibility of information and communication technologies; a review of emerging trends in the development and implementation of personal learning environments for students; and, a hands-on exploration of mobile app developments that signal new directions for how to students use technology to learn.
The annual OUCEL meetings provide its members with an opportunity to share best practices on e-learning initiatives that enhance student learning and engagement, and encourage links between e-learning scholarship and post-secondary teaching, research, and service.