Report to COED

Purpose

The Ontario Universities’ Council on e-Learning (OUCEL) is a working group of the Council of Ontario Universities that provides leadership regarding e-learning. Representatives on OUCEL are committed to e-learning that enhances student learning and engagement. OUCEL further encourages a scholarly approach towards e-learning in relation to teaching, research, and service – core values of Ontario Universities.

History

• OPAS Summer institute
• VPA appointed e-learning rep
• communications via COU portal
• The initial reps (Richard Pinet, Denise Stockley) had been approached by Jan Donio who was the COU/OPAS rep. They were asked to see if there was an interest to generate a group of reps from various Teaching and Technology Centres across Ontario to see if they would be interested in seeking COU affiliate status (an e-Learning affiliate as we later characterized ourselves). This invitation was accepted, and as such, received a positive response from all reps of the COU Universities. Our group has met several times, we have created a Terms of Reference and have had very fruitful discussions across a number of issues - including possible collaborative projects.

Meetings

• Summer Institute 2008
• Fall Meeting 2007
• Summer Institute 2007

Follow-up from Summer Institute 2008

Richard Pinet, chair of OUCEL sent the following synopsis regarding OUCEL and Next Steps which included a link to a survey about the direction the OUCEL group desired.

Votes

Seventeen institutions voted, with results as follows:

• 41.2% (7 responses)- a) explore with EDC/COED group possible affiliation with them as full partners
• 41.2% (7 responses)- b) explore with EDC/COED group having reps from our group sit on their governing body
• 17.6% (3 responses)- c) not seek any arrangement with EDC/COED and pursue our own arrangements with OCAV

and COU, independent of the newly formed EDC group

Discussion Points

• Richard asked local OUCEL reps who are also members of EDC to attend the EDC/COED group meeting to address this with the larger group
• Aldo Caputo (UWaterloo), Sandy Hughes (Laurier) and Giulia (Brock) agreed to attend the November 14, 2008 meeting at Ryerson

1. Is EDC/COED still moving towards affiliate status without the MOU?
2. If so, how (if at all) does EDC/COED envision itself with technology and teaching

Arguments For and Against

• Dichotomy between technology and pedagogy - Teaching Centres, technology for teaching and learning, administrative technology
• Home for technology innovation and implementation sometimes housed in purely administrative units, not linked to pedagogy (i.e. registration and finance systems)
• Many teaching and learning centres have closely integrated technology into their pedagogy (i.e. learning management systems)
• Lines are not distinct