As colleges and universities continue growing by adding new online courses and programs, the Government of Ontario has provided special funding to support further development in order to improve opportunities for learners. The Virtual Learning Strategy has been developed by the Province of Ontario to support expansion of and improvements to Ontario-based virtual learning programming. These funding is intended to provide postsecondary institutions with resources to access Ontario-made educational technology and conduct evaluation with people for whom the product is designed.
The VLS is designed to enable Ontario postsecondary (PSE) institutions to work together to realize three pillars:
Support the sector in driving high-quality, innovative hybrid learning. Providing sector supports to create more and better options for learners and a continued co-existence with hybrid learning.
Be a province of lifelong learners Enabling learners to access education, re-skilling and up-skilling to equip them for jobs of the future and meet the needs of the rapidly evolving labour market at any stage of their careers.
Be a global leaderHelp Ontario’s PSE institutions and educational technology companies access the global marketplace for virtual learning
The Virtual Learning Strategy (VLS) supports learners in all aspects of the educational experience by recognizing the critical importance of the social and emotional wellbeing of learners, faculty, staff and communities within and surrounding our postsecondary system. To achieve this the VLS will:
Prioritize the social contexts of learning, including mental health, equity, decolonization, diversity, inclusion and accessibility
Support the development of collaborative virtual learning assets and content for re-use across the Ontario postsecondary education system, including in Indigenous and French languages
Focus on learner-centered design and engagement to support the development of content, which has the learner and their experience at the centre of every project
Promote learner engagement and social cohesion for students
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Review the EOIs and evaluation criteria https://vls.ecampusontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Digital-Delivery-EOI-EN.pdf
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Download the editable templates provided - includes both appropriate attestation form and submission template
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Obtain appropriate electronic signature
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Create a machine readable PDF by choosing "save as" Do not print, sign and scan your submission to create the PDF.
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Visit https://vls.ecampusontario.ca/eois/ to complete submissions.
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Keep your confirmation email and unique proposal identifier.
Submissions received after the closing date and time will not be considered for evaluation. By February 28, 2021 the successful applicants will be notified. If you have any question, please email vls@ecampusontario.ca
Submission Requirements are:
The Digital Delivery Demonstration Projects EOI is designed to support member institutions to partner with Ontario educational technology companies to test technologies and provide support for wider market distribution. Technologies should be at a sufficient stage (TRL 7 or greater) in order to pilot test or otherwise deploy in an Ontario Indigenous institute, college or university. Pilot testing or deployment should include appropriate evaluation so as to provide the company with pedagogical proof-points for developing markets for the company’s technology.
This EOI responds directly to the VLS pillar of supporting global leadership for Ontario’s PSE institutions and educational technology companies to access the global marketplace for virtual learning. Funding of up to $100,000 is available for member institutions to conduct projects that engage an Ontario-based educational technology company. It is up to the member institution to select an industry partner, negotiate terms with the industry partner and to manage the project and deliverables.To apply for this grant to bring Kritik to your organization, please ensure that your institution is included in the list below:
