A curated selection of news, research, and commentary on distance education, open learning, and the future of teaching at a distance. Updated regularly.
📰 Latest in Distance Education
The State of Online Learning in Canada
Contact North | Contact Nord · Research Report
An annual overview of online and distance learning trends across Canadian post-secondary institutions, covering enrolment, delivery models, and learner outcomes. Essential reading for anyone working in or studying Canadian open learning.
What Students Really Think About Online Learning
Times Higher Education · Student Survey Analysis
A deep dive into student satisfaction data across online and blended learning programs worldwide. The findings challenge long-held assumptions about what distance learners want – and highlight the critical importance of instructor presence and course design quality.
Read more at Times Higher Education →
The Precarious Workforce Behind Online Education
University Affairs · Feature Article
A long-form investigation into the working conditions of contract faculty who design and deliver the majority of online courses in Canada. Raises important questions about how labour precarity affects course quality, student support, and institutional accountability.
Read more at University Affairs →
Designing for Belonging: Inclusive Practices in Online Course Development
EDUCAUSE Review · Best Practices
How can course developers build genuine belonging into online learning environments? This piece explores evidence-based strategies for inclusive design, from accessible content to culturally responsive pedagogy – applicable to both paced and self-paced course models.
Read more at EDUCAUSE Review →
Open Educational Resources and the Future of Accessible Learning
BCcampus · Open Education Report
BCcampus has been at the forefront of open education in Canada, supporting the development and adoption of free, open textbooks and resources. This report examines how OER is transforming access to education – particularly for distance and open learners who face the greatest financial barriers.
AI in the Distance Learning Classroom: Promise and Peril
The Chronicle of Higher Education · Technology & Learning
As artificial intelligence tools become embedded in online learning platforms, what does this mean for distance educators and their students? This piece unpacks both the potential – personalised learning pathways, automated feedback – and the risks, including equity gaps and the erosion of authentic assessment.
Read more at The Chronicle of Higher Education →
🎙️ Podcasts Worth Your Time
Teaching in Higher Ed Podcast
Bonni Stachowiak’s long-running podcast covers pedagogy, course design, and the everyday realities of university teaching – with a strong thread running through online and distance education. Practical, honest, and deeply human.
Listen at Teaching in Higher Ed →
The Online Learning Podcast – Contact North
Conversations with researchers, practitioners, and learners about the past, present, and future of online education in Canada. Particularly valuable for those working within the Canadian post-secondary context.
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