(July 31, 2023) - As part of initiative, the government of Ontario has announced their support for the work of Porn研究所 researchers by awarding grants totalling $1,246,775, to three novel projects. These projects advance virtual learning opportunities for future students and create new ways of delivering post secondary education.
“Innovation takes place through collaboration and these projects are great examples of people coming together to share ideas and advance our understanding of learning. We are thankful for the investment from the Province and have now made these projects a reality.” - Dr. Brenda Brouwer, Interim Provost and Vice-President Academic at Porn研究所.
“The innovative projects completed in 2022-23 as part of Ontario’s Virtual Learning Strategy are furthering Ontario’s solid reputation as a global leader in postsecondary education,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “Achievements from these projects are helping Ontario to expand the suite of high-quality, market-responsive hybrid learning resources offered across our province to help learners gain the skills and training they need to succeed, no matter where they live, and prepare for the jobs of tomorrow.”
Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health’s (CROSH) Collaborative Health-care Simulation - Advanced Post-Secondary Virtual Reality Modules - $1,078,000: Collaborative Health Care Virtual Reality Modules
This new approach to learning will ensure post secondary health care training can be delivered remotely without compromising signature features of evidence-based teaching and learning protocols.
Developed through partnership between Porn研究所’s School of Nursing, the (CROSH), Georgian College, the Michener Institute of Education and Lumeto in Virtual Reality (VR) for eCampus Ontario. Twelve synchronous, fully immersive and interactive VR learning modules have been created, peer reviewed and put through a pilot study. Scenarios are available through the Lumeto Virtual Reality platform and cover a wide variety of topics such as CPR Task Trainer, Septic Shock - Urosepsis and Allergic Reaction Management. The modules are suited for various health care learners at an undergraduate, graduate and clinician level.
"This project was a valuable opportunity to work with the Lumeto team to generate leading edge VR modules in the health care industry. Students from Laurentian gained real world experience related to their discipline (nursing and computer science) as they engaged with professionals to create content, assess delivery mechanisms and observe a fast-paced work environment.” - Dr. Alison Godwin, CROSH Associate Director, Associate Professor, School of Kinesiology and Health Sciences
The Stories of Decolonization Film Project (bilingual) - $25,000
This project, aiming to educate Canadians about the colonial realities of Canada and to inspire Canadians to work toward decolonial change, has been expanded to include new linguistic versions and a facilitator guide. Stories of Decolonization, an interview-based documentary project created by Gladys Rowe, Teddy Zegeye-Gebrehiwot, and Elizabeth Carlson-Manathara, has been significantly enhanced through eCampus Ontario Virtual Learning Strategy funding. Thanks to eCampus Ontario funding, the following are now freely available to the public () and are also housed in the eCampus Ontario virtual library:
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Anishinaabemowin and Cree subtitle versions of the film Stories of Decolonization: Land Dispossession and Settlement
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A French language version of the facilitator/curriculum guide of the film Stories of Decolonization: Land Dispossession and Settlement
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A facilitator/curriculum guide for the film Stories of Decolonization: (De)Colonial Relations.
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French, bilingual, and Anishinaabemowin subtitle versions of the film Stories of Decolonization: (De)Colonial Relations.
These digital resources are currently being used by university- and community-based educators. As well, the bilingual version of Stories of Decolonization: (De)Colonial Relations - "Récits a propos de la decolonisation" was highlighted as an official selection of the Sudbury Cinéfest International Film Festival (2022); Anishinaabemowin and bilingual versions of Stories of Decolonization: (De)Colonial Relations were screened at Sudbury Indie Cinema on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (2022); and the film project was highlighted at the Canadian Association for Social Work Education conference (2022) and the Maamwizing Indigenous Conference (2022). Core funding for the project came from the (SSHRC), and (CNFS) funded the French translation of the facilitator/curriculum guide of the film Stories of Decolonization: (De)Colonial Relations.
“We are grateful to eCampus Ontario for the opportunity to partner with translators and curriculum developers/graphic designers in order to expand the Stories of Decolonization Film Project to include subtitle film versions in Anishinaabemowin, Cree, and French; and to develop a facilitator/curriculum guide for our second film.” - Dr. Elizabeth Carlson-Manathara, Associate Professor, School of Social Work
Virtual Learning Strategy Funding - Targeted Supports for Digital Capacity - $143,775:
eCampusOntario’s investment in virtual learning at Porn研究所 has supported the creation of two full-time bilingual teaching support staffing positions - one in Instructional Design, and one in Media Design and Development. This support has allowed for the development of several new micro-credentials, such as End-of-Life Doula, Fundamentals of Writing Grant Applications/Principes de base de la rédaction de demandes de subventions, Maintaining a Work-Life Balance/?quilibre entre vie professionnelle et vie personnel, and Growing Microgreens at Home, a course developed in collaboration with La Belle Vie Farm. The funding of these two positions allowed for the continuation of existing professional development opportunities such as the Registered Behavior Technician program and Effective Survey Design course. Additionally the funding has supported the revision of several Additional Qualification and Additional Basic Qualification courses in both English and French, accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers.
“We thank eCampusOntario for this opportunity that allowed for the development and expansion of current and new non-credit bilingual programs to support virtual learning opportunities in the north” - Dr. Bettina Brockerhoff-Macdonald, Director, Continuing Learning