MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Oct. 20, 2014) - Four outstanding programs and educators were recognized by the Canadian eLearning Network (CANeLearn) as nominees for one of four innovation awards presented by iNACOL (International Association for K-12 Online Learning http://www.inacol.org/members/awards/). The iNACOL Innovator Awards recognize learning practices, new research and individual achievements in the field of blended and online learning. CANeLearn nominees were: Josh Gray from the Thames Valley District School Board, London ON; the Navigate Program of the North Island Distance Education School, Courtenay BC; Michael Barbour (Canadian researcher); and Maurice Barry of the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation, St. John NL.
The CANeLearn nominating committee was very pleased with the pool of potential nominees this year. CANeLearn is proud to honour the following people as their nominees for the iNACOL Awards:
- Blended and Online Learning Teacher of the Year - Josh Gray, eLearning and Blended Teacher at A. B. Lucas Secondary School with Thames Valley District School Board, London ON (Ontario - http://www.tvdsb.ca/webpages/grayj1/)
- For years Josh Gray has mentored teachers from the Thames Valley District in online learning and is a recognized leader and presenter, followed by many. Teachers in Ontario have incorporated his unique ideas and incorporated his practices to the benefit of their students.
- For years Josh Gray has mentored teachers from the Thames Valley District in online learning and is a recognized leader and presenter, followed by many. Teachers in Ontario have incorporated his unique ideas and incorporated his practices to the benefit of their students.
- Research Award - Michael Barbour for his work on virtual schooling in Canada and the State of the Nation: K-12 Online Learning in Canada reports and research (https://virtualschool.wikispaces.com/canada)
- Michael Barbour has been a tireless support for the development of CANeLearn and advocate for the advancement of Canadian-based research about the increasing online and blended learning occurring in Canada. Since 2008 the annual State of the Nation: K-12 Online Learning in Canada report has been central in shining a light on innovative practice across Canada and Michael has been principal researcher and manager of the project (CANeLearn has stepped in to help sponsor this research and support its expansion).
- Michael Barbour has been a tireless support for the development of CANeLearn and advocate for the advancement of Canadian-based research about the increasing online and blended learning occurring in Canada. Since 2008 the annual State of the Nation: K-12 Online Learning in Canada report has been central in shining a light on innovative practice across Canada and Michael has been principal researcher and manager of the project (CANeLearn has stepped in to help sponsor this research and support its expansion).
- Outstanding Individual Contribution to K-12 Blended and Online Learning Award - Maurice Barry (retired) for his work with the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation, St. John NL (Newfoundland/Labrador - https://www.cdli.ca/)
- Maurice Barry has been a pioneer in online learning for decades at the Newfoundland and Labrador's Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation where he authored or co-authored over forty books and guides. For years Maurice was the voice of CDLI's innovative practices that have been replicated by other online programs. He has garnered recognition with a public service award of excellence and administrator of the year awards.
- Maurice Barry has been a pioneer in online learning for decades at the Newfoundland and Labrador's Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation where he authored or co-authored over forty books and guides. For years Maurice was the voice of CDLI's innovative practices that have been replicated by other online programs. He has garnered recognition with a public service award of excellence and administrator of the year awards.
- Innovative Blended and Online Learning Practice Award - The Navigate Program of the North Island Distance Education School, Courtenay BC (British Columbia - http://www.navigatenides.com/ contact is Jeff Stewart, District Principal)
- Jeff Stewart, District Principal for School District No. 71 (Comox Valley) on Vancouver Island was proud of the Navigate team's efforts. The diverse innovative programs that Navigate has developed include the ENTER program, Fine Arts eCademy, iClass K-12, Leadership Program, VEX Robotics and an Independent Learning Centre in each of the three secondary schools. Their blended programs are a result of the creative capacity and hard work of their staff and support from the entire community including parents, PAC Executive, and SD 71 senior administration.
- Jeff Stewart, District Principal for School District No. 71 (Comox Valley) on Vancouver Island was proud of the Navigate team's efforts. The diverse innovative programs that Navigate has developed include the ENTER program, Fine Arts eCademy, iClass K-12, Leadership Program, VEX Robotics and an Independent Learning Centre in each of the three secondary schools. Their blended programs are a result of the creative capacity and hard work of their staff and support from the entire community including parents, PAC Executive, and SD 71 senior administration.
"This is the first time CANeLearn has been able to recognize some of the many outstanding programs and educators in our diverse country, and support their nomination for the Innovation Awards at the annual iNACOL symposium", said Michael Canuel, Canadian eLearning Network Board Chair and CEO of LEARN (http://learnquebec.ca/). "In 2012 Peggy Drolet and Audrey McGoldrick from LEARN were recognized for an innovation award and in 2013 our own Verena Roberts, CANeLearn Chief Innovation Officer, was a co-recipient of the Innovative Blended and Online Learning Practice Award in recognition of her work in creating The Open Classroom while at the Alberta Distance Learning Centre (http://www.adlc.ca/)."
More information about each nominee can be found at http://canelearn.net/mod/page/view.php?id=176.
About CANeLearn
The Canadian e-Learning Network (CANeLearn) is a Canadian registered not-for-profit society who's mission is to provide leadership that champions student success in online and blended learning by providing members with networking, collaboration, and research opportunities. http://canelearn.net.
Contact Information:
Randy LaBonte
CEO
Canadian eLearning Network
rlabonte@canelearn.net
250-701-7485