Online learning information for administrators

Last updated: January 17, 2022

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Info for students and parents

Learn about online learning options and find out how to sign up. Get information for students and parents.

The new online learning model

Education in B.C. continues to grow and evolve to support student success by modernizing the delivery of online learning programs and courses to provide the best learning experience possible for students, no matter where they live.

In 2022/23, students will be able to sign up for online learning with their local online learning school, a public provincial online learning school or an independent online learning school.

Read about the new online learning model

Support parents and students during the change

Upgrade online learning at your school

Become a public provincial online learning school

Any current public online learning school in the province, regardless of their size or program focus, can apply to become a public provincial online learning school. The final number of public provincial online learning schools will be based on the number of successful applicants. Find out what this change will mean for students.

Starting in fall 2021, school districts with interim online learning agreements will start the process to become a public provincial online learning school.

Public schools: Express interest in becoming a public provincial online learning school

Step 1: Submit an expression of interest

In November 2021, the ministry sent an invitation letter, Expression of Interest form and instructions to all eligible school districts. Eligible schools must:

  • Be currently operating as a public online learning school and hold an interim online learning agreement for 2021/22
  • Have support from the school district (e.g. superintendent's signature)
  • Have a record of student success in online learning as demonstrated by course completion, robust follow-up mechanisms and student satisfaction across all priority populations

Interested school districts need to:

  • Have attended the information sessions in December 2021
  • Have submitted the form to the ministry by December 17, 2021
  • Meet with the ministry and other interested districts to gather more information in February 2022

Step 2: Sign agreements

By February 28, 2022, school districts that qualify need to:

Step 3: Onboard

From March to August 2022, public provincial online learning schools will onboard to the new LMS and new processes for enrolment. By September 1, 2022, they must be able to:

  • Offer their own online learning courses in the new LMS
  • Follow the B.C. curriculum and all ministry policies and procedures
  • Enrol students from across the province

Training and support will be available to help with onboarding and course migration during the 2022/23 school year.

Step 4: Offer province-wide online learning

By July 1, 2023, public provincial online learning schools must:

  • Have the infrastructure in place to province-wide equitable access and support services for all learner needs
  • Have started designing, delivering and sharing online courses in the LMS
  • Have participated in a 1-year pilot of the new quality assurance process
  • Include online learning outcomes in school and school district strategic plans

Use the new online learning platform

D2L Brightspace will be the new provincial online learning platform (called a learning management system or LMS). It was chosen as part of a procurement process that included educators, administrative staff and other stakeholders.

Schools can use the LMS to:

  • Collaborate with students online
  • Upload and deliver course activities, lessons and assignments
  • Access and share high-quality online learning resources

How to onboard to the new LMS

In late winter/early spring 2022, schools will begin to onboard to the new LMS in preparation for the 2022/23 school year.

All public provincial online learning schools will be required to use the new LMS. Other schools (standard or online) that are interested may also choose to opt in.

Support from the ministry and the LMS vendor will be available for onboarding. Transition and implementation details will be coming soon. For more information, contact: EDUC.OnlineLearning@gov.bc.ca.

Access resources for educators

ShareEdBC is an online platform that educators can use to:

  • Find or share ready-to-use resources for teaching, planning and professional learning
  • Connect with other educators
  • Engage, inspire and spark the imaginations of learners

Accountability

Standards and guidance for responsibilities and program delivery during the 2021/22 school year

A new quality assurance process is currently being developed

Under the new online learning model, B.C. boards and independent schools will continue to be responsible for providing quality education through current accountability measures, including:

A new quality assurance process will be developed with and piloted by the provincial online learning schools in the 2022/23 school year.

  • October 2020: The ministry established an academic panel of online learning professionals to complete a jurisdictional scan of online learning best practices and review the previous quality review process
  • November to December 2021: The ministry hosted workshops with online learning educators to review and provide input on a new quality assurance process, informing both teaching and leadership practice
  • September 2022 to March 2023: Provincial online learning schools pilot the new quality assurance process
  • By July 2023: The new quality assurance process will be in effect for provincial online learning schools

For all online learning schools, key components of the new process will include:

  • Reflecting on current practices, noting areas of strength and opportunities for growth
  • Creating and following strategic plans that align with the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning
  • School districts and independent online learning schools remaining accountable for student success

The Standards for K-12 Online Learning in B.C. (PDF, 429.2KB) and Standards for Online Learning Content in B.C. (PDF, 451.3KB) will apply until the new quality assurance process is launched.

Policies

Interim online learning policies for the 2021/22 school year

Policy and a procedures manual are currently being developed

  • Consolidated online learning policies are currently being co-developed with sector stakeholders and rights holders
  • A consolidated policy ensures equity and consistency for all online learning students
  • A new procedures manual will outline specific requirements for local and provincial online learning schools. The manual will be updated every year

Programs and courses