Alberta Distance Learning Centre

The Alberta Distance Learning Centre (ADLC) is "...a provincially-funded school serving students and schools throughout Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut..." and International Students choosing the Alberta Program of Studies.

Its web site is http://www.adlc.ca/

The ADLC "...serves 30,000 elementary and secondary students with distance learning services, including fully online courses, and manages the province’s virtual school."

Further information

The Alberta Distance Learning Centre developed from the long-established Alberta Correspondence School. In 1996 ADLC combined with the Pembina Hills School Division’s Vista Virtual School to form ADLC Online School. ADLC now offers all core courses and various options from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Students use Internet tools such as e-mail, online chats, threaded discussions, audio conferences, and shared whiteboards... Students complete and submit their assignments electronically, but they may use telephone, printer, and fax machine if Internet service is inadequate in their location.

ADLC also offers the Virtual Classroom which involves timetabled classes conducted over the Internet. Students and teachers communicate using microphones, drawing tools, and shared computer software. Virtual Classroom is an ‘on request’ service.

ADLC uses video-conferencing via the Alberta Initiative for School Improvement (AISI ) project at Alberta Distance Learning Centre. Access to this optional mode of instruction is dependent upon equipment and bandwidth of partnering schools.

In May 2011 ADLC mobilised to support staff and students (those at home and those evacuated) at schools affected by wildfires in Northern Alberta providing online resources and support .

References

See

• Alberta Distance Learning Centre, Calgary Herald August 2011 (NB. 'Advertising Feature')
• http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Alberta+Distance+Learning+Centre/5229047/story.html
• “State of the Nation: K-12 Online Learning in Canada”, iNACOL November 2010
• http://www.inacol.org/research/docs/iNACOL_CanadaStudy10-finalweb.pdf
• International Experiences With Technology in Education: Final Report (U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Technology and the Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, Policy and Program Studies Service)
• http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/iete-full-report.doc

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