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Insights Into the Future and Promise of Online Learning

Contact North | Contact Nord released a special series of 11 Insight Reports on topics in online and distance learning for delegates attending the World Conference on Online Learning, organized and hosted by Contact North | Contact Nord in Toronto, Canada from October 16-19, 2017.

The Insight Reports, authored by Contact North | Contact Nord Research Associates and staff, were designed to stimulate interaction and dialogue amongst the 1,225 delegates from 59 countries about innovative ideas, best practices, new insights, useful resources to help your teaching, research and/or planning.

Remember the three As: Adopt, Adapt, Apply the best from others to your circumstances.

Click on the links below to open each Insight Report.

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Student Support Services for Online Learning Re-Imagined and Re-Invigorated: Then, Now and What’s to Come
Building from the experiences of the California Community College System, the largest system of higher education in the United States, Bonnie Peters, Anita Crawley and Jane E. Brindley describe the creation of a virtual hub of student support resources an
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Teaching & Learning in the Digital Age: A New Understanding of Quality
Quality in higher education is most often defined in terms of face-to-face delivery, bypassing the key contributions of online learning such as flexibility, student engagement, and applications of technology to all aspects of design and delivery.
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Major Developments, Challenges, Opportunities in Online and Distance Education
Adnan Qayyam and Olaf Zawacki-Richter highlight the themes that emerge from two recent books they edited on current and future directions in online learning in 12 countries from all parts of the globe. Their snapshot outlines key developments, challenges,
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On the Cusp of Change in Approaches to Teaching and Learning Perspectives of Presidents of Ontario’s Colleges
Brian Desbiens explores the accomplishments, plans, and aspirations of several presidents of Ontario’s colleges, providing insight into how online learning has already and continues to change Ontario institutions, the role of presidents in facilitating th
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On the Cusp of Change in Approaches to Teaching and Learning Perspectives of Presidents of Ontario’s Universities
Ross Paul explores the accomplishments, plans, and aspirations of several presidents of Ontario’s universities, providing insight into how online learning has already and continues to change Ontario institutions, the role of presidents in facilitating thi
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Open Educational Resources (OER): A Reality Check
As the Open Educational Resources (OER) movement gains considerable attention and traction, we are left wondering what is the current state of OER? This report highlights what progress has been made and what challenges and barriers still remain.
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Quantum Leaps You Can Expect in Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age – A Roadmap
Stephen Downes offers a snapshot focusing on change, looking at technology in its broadest sense – information, computation, automation, and analytics – set against broad social and cultural change. In his consideration, Dr. Downes addresses both the need
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Rethinking Learning & Teaching in the Digital Age: Ten Key Developments Changing the Dynamics of Universities and Colleges
From competency-based and outcome-based learning to e-portfolios, Contact North | Contact Nord’s Chief Innovation Officer Stephen Murgatroyd provides an overview of the top 10 key developments in technology-enabled learning, challenging us to rethink what
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How Communities of Inquiry Drive Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age
Terry Anderson analyzes the evolution of Communities of Inquiry (COI) as advancing technologies expand the reach and structure of COIs, adding new elements to their potential for learning.
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Les Learning Analytics : Mode Ou Opportunité ?
The contributions of ‘digital’ to higher education are outlined by Anne Boyer, before she turns her attention to the applications and effectiveness of learning analytics, exploring both faculty and student points of view. This snapshot stresses the key ro