Dialogue > Article > Independent School Collaboration

Today’s educational and work environments demand 21st-century skills, including the ability and confidence to be a self-motivated and highly collaborative learner. Successful students must learn to be adept at being both analytical and creative. Learners need to be agile in taking risks, being entrepreneurial and being socially comfortable and responsible within an online environment. Well-designed online learning provides a continually emergent platform to expand these kinds of required life skills, which will continue to grow in importance as we steward our students toward their future.

The challenge that an individual school faces in creating quality online learning that infuses strong pedagogy, such as project- and inquiry-based learning, with high levels of interactivity is significant. Quality online courses take time and cost money to develop and maintain. Independent schools need to find creative ways to deliver programs that are sustainable and have capacity for growth.

This seems a tall order when independent schools face the challenge of maintaining fees in a tight economic environment. How can schools remain innovative and invest in new programs? Recognizing both the need for high-quality online learning and the resource challenge of delivering a comprehensive online course offering, the Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario established the eLearning Consortium.

The CIS eLearning Consortium originated as an idea developed by a collection of independent Ontario schools, led by The Bishop Strachan School of Toronto, that decided it was time to think differently and to become entrepreneurs in an online collaboration. These schools were passionate about providing powerful online learning experiences that would match the already high standards reflected in their classrooms. The question was how, and what could they create that would also be sustainable? During a six-month period, the schools developed the business case upon which the CIS eLearning Consortium was founded.

A not-for-profit eLearning Consortium based on a co-operative model, in which each member school provides teachers who develop and teach the online courses, was incorporated on July 1, 2008. By pooling expertise, sharing courses and using consistent technologies, eLearning Consortium schools have access to diverse and exemplary online courses and instruction that is sustainable through shared costs. The creation of school-based site administrators and IT support staff maintains and fosters the culture of care and support for students so important in independent schools. Through consistent course design and review, students access 21st-century and Web 2.0 skills in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Since its inception, the consortium has grown to 16 schools and 22 academic credit courses in Grades 10 through 12. The consortium provides students with the opportunity to collaborate and problem solve with other students online, as well as promoting students’ ability to self-direct some of their learning. It allows them to use technology creatively and broadens their experience in connecting them with students beyond their own classmates. Teachers and administrators have peace of mind, knowing that there is quality control in the online courses their students are enrolled in.

In addition to the historical collaboration between Ontario independent schools, the eLearning Consortium has established key partnerships with the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and the software company Blackboard. As part of its continuing education program, UOIT now offers an online course co-developed with the consortium on how to create and deliver quality online courses. This additional qualification course, accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers, is the first of its kind in Ontario. Through its partnership with Blackboard, the consortium has hosted the latest learning management software, which includes a wide array of Web 2.0 tools, a natural fit for online learning.

This group of innovative schools continues to expand its vision. Chair of the CIS eLearning Consortium’s board and head of The York School in Toronto, Ezio Crescenzi sees the consortium as the online provider of choice for national and international independent schools. The consortium already has AP online courses in production and is working with International Baccalaureate schools to deliver online IB modules and courses.

The eLearning Consortium is a leading example of sustainable and innovative collaboration among independent schools. By coming together, an exceptional program has been created. Their students are engaged in emergent learning opportunities that truly prepare them for a successful tomorrow.