A 'New' Alberta Distance Learning Centre

 

The New Collaboration Hub - Alberta Education, Alberta Advanced Education and ‘Real Life’ Learning

 

"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." 

John Dewey

 

Time

The time couldn’t be better for collaborative innovation in education.  Through the Alberta 2030 flagship initiative Alberta Advanced Education has led in the regeneration of the Alberta Distance Learning Centre.   As an action to Improve Access and Student Experience ADLC’s existing infrastructure will continue its work to “Expand access to digital infrastructure for online learning in rural and remote communities by collaborating with other ministries to pursue federal funding and explore industry partnerships.”  The legacy of ADLC will continue on in filling gaps due to the ever evolving K12 education system and protecting children and youth from the associated risks as a we adapt our systems to new technologies. 

Collaboration

 Alberta Education is excited to work together with Advanced Education in order to collaborate with local communities/industry and “Become the first province in Canada to offer access to work-integrated learning to 100 per cent of students.”  This new approach is more conducive to meeting the Ministerial Order #028/2020 for student learning where the process is integral in meeting the objectives.  Just one example of an MO which is best learned through modelling and  experience is “Students will gain the knowledge and skills to form the foundations for successful and fulfilling lives, and make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world.”  This MO can be practiced right in the learners community demonstrating learning as they gain knowledge and skills.  Work learned for various ages may look different, however, the framework will transfer between both levels of education.  Through these common elements communities can customize relevant action based learning opportunities across a wide range of ages and skill levels. Learning can reflect the communities economies and scale.  

ADLC as the Education System Shock Absorber

‘Real Life Learning’ is now compulsory as we move into unknown territories.  ADLC will be the proverbial shock absorber for both large organizations and individuals.  This centralization provides both efficient use of resources and open learning for all.  Course choice for rural and urban learners will be under one menu and act as an additional mentoring support for community based career development.  Offering choice through sharing responsibility will provide more choice for Alberta learners while removing wasted competitive energies.  Teacher professional development will happen in parallel with student learning in real time as co-learners.  Community based teacher education programs will also be explored with colonies and indigenous communities in supporting place based culture.  As the education industry changes, adaptive support will be provided as an immediate response fostering growth and regenerative learning.  Through ADLC, children and youth can be better insulated from policy and funding challenges while shifting to a shared responsibility learning framework.  ADLC will be the tool to assist school administrators as they increase their capacity for regenerative learning through technology supported experiential learning.  

 

Children & Youth Safety

Technology as a tool has opened up possibilities beyond imagination but with that also comes risks.  Our current understanding of how technology is used beyond the classroom is limited.  Challenges ADLC will be tasked with include copyright, learning management systems, funding systems, teacher quality standards in course design and delivery and more.  The riskiest aspect of this new tool is privacy and spiritual safety of the children.  Currently education is organized in a way that creates disconnect and competition.  While we compete for course credits and enrolments we leave little time for deeper safety considerations of our children and youth.  We have been aptly thrust into a new world of technology tools with very little training and exploratory use. Somewhere we need to create space for thoughtful course designs that foster deep learning while protecting privacy and safety.  If there is one resource ADLC can provide to every school, every parent, and especially every child or youth in a time of stress is time.

 

NOTE:  This is Fake News.  ADLC has permanently closed effective at the end of the 2020/2021 school year.