1. Creating an Accredited K-12
International Blended Distributed
Learning Program

2. The journey …
Surveyed K-12 online jurisdictions
around the world
Unable to find others that were offering
International Online Education in a
major way
Most programs were content intensive
(i.e. correspondence) and lacked
strong teacher/student relationships
SD73 wanted to build a unique model

4. Asynchronous Learning
Students complete online work at their own
pace.
“Most of the online courses nowadays are offered in
asynchronous mode, enabling students with the
freedom of time and distance. Nonetheless, the
drop-out rate for online courses is high. With online
synchronous instruction students have both freedom
of distance and punctuality of regular progress and
the drop-out rate is found to be greatly reduced.” -
Online Synchronous Instruction: Challenges and Solutions

5. Synchronous Learning
Students meet with BC teacher
synchronously once per week in an
online classroom
Students work together in a class
synchronously
Students work on projects together

6. Quality
Success rates equal or better than campus
Personalized rather than individualized
learning
2009 PISA results indicate Canada has a
strong educational system:
 Canadian students continue to be leaders in reading,
math and science.
 Canadian students perform well in a global context in
reading. On the combined reading scale, only four
countries surpassed Canada: Shanghai-China, Korea,
Finland and Hong Kong-China. - http://cdnsba.org/
“Online learning began as a way to improve the quality of distance education by providing more and better
interaction with instructors and between students.” -A Study of Face-to-Face and Online Teaching Philosophies in
Canada and Australia

7. The Model
A Blended model that incorporates online
learning with face to face learning
Students are provided with a high level of
service
Teachers focus on building relationships
with students
A quality program is key to success

8. STAGES OF PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
All Courses –
Cohort and Single
Course Login
ESL – Collaboration
Model
Business Education and Cohort
Courses

9. Why would a public school district
want to consider creating their
own accredited online
International Program?

10.  Bring revenue into a School District
 Broaden skills of DL teachers
 Expose quality BC education to the International
Market
 Prepare for upcoming workforce shortage as
outlined in the BC Jobs Plan:
“Of the one million job openings ahead, 43 per cent will need trades and technical training.
The skills and training plan represents fundamental change to how we prepare British
Columbians for the jobs of tomorrow.” www.bcjobsplan.ca

11. Benefits
Enlarges presence in International Education
Larger student base to increase skill level of
Teachers i.e. Business courses popular in
Asia but not BC.
A larger student base increases choice for
courses
International students can benefit from our
high quality BC education
Transition from Overseas to Canada
“students set up for success” ie Cultural
awareness

12. Implementation

13. Strategies to “find” that
unique teacher
Marketing
Collaborative
Interview by
Administrator
and Teachers Interview
Support to help develop
Collaborative Digital
Community
Mentoring

15. Blended Program consists of:
1 facilitator overseas
1 BC certified teacher in Canada
1 cohort of students
Online resource
Overseas Partner

16. Facilitator
Bilingual
Technologically savvy
Student motivator/supporter
Flexible

17. Teacher
BC certified
DL certified
Flexible, creative and adaptable
Culturally aware
Teaching philosophy is based on
creating strong relationships with
students

18. Student Cohort
Approximately 10-15 students/cohort
Cohort allows for:
 Group projects
 Real time discussions
 Social presence
 Working together

19. Online resources
Coursework is always available in
Moodle
Avoid shipping issues with text books
BC teacher can mark submitted work at
any time
Teachers open to wide variety of
alternative resources to ensure
connections with students

20. Overseas Partner
Provide students access to appropriate
technology
Stable internet connection
Cohort of students

21. Issues
Cultural differences i.e. Chinese principal
schedules an unplanned assembly
Technology i.e. certain sites are blocked
such as Youtube.
Learning Styles – Be aware of the traditional
learning/teaching style currently being used
and not presume that the constructivist
approach is one that will automatically be
well perceived.

22. STEPS TO SUSTAINABILITY
www.GlobalEd.ca
Independent Programs Solo Marketing
Create IOLA
Collaborate Build Common Quality Assurance
Partner with other Businesses
Expand into Other Countries Become Educational Partner

23. IOLA

24. BC LEGISLATION
• April 2002, BC School Amendment Act
provided public school districts the ability to
incorporate business companies.
• Under the legislation a board of education is
the sole shareholder and revenue generated
by the company returns to the district.
• Legislation not without controversy
 http://www.bcbusinessonline.ca/selling-canadian-teaching-in-china
 https://bctf.ca/IssuesInEducation.aspx?id=5958
 http://www.saanichnews.com/news/161453575.html

25. RATIONALE
Taking BC online learning services internationally
required a coordinated approach and single
entity.
• Enable a single point for discussions with education
stakeholders
• Lead a BC-branded international marketing strategy
• Support the development and delivery of BC curriculum and
educational services through online or distributed learning
• Uphold the quality of program content and services
• Be independent and inclusive, with a governing board drawn
from school district business companies, independent
schools, business, government, and international reps
• Provide mandate to improve online content and services

26. MEMBERS
International Online Learning Association of
BC
• 5 school district business companies (SD
91,73,63,37,34
• 1 independent school
• Minimum one representative from
independent schools
• Members only from business companies to
start

27. FOCUS ON QUALITY
Quality learning key
• Accredit online learning offerings of
members
• Foster innovation
• Share quality metrics and approaches with
domestic programs
• Build content, share with domestic

28. ANY QUESTIONS?