As we look forward to the summer, and summer school or professional learning for some, this month’s email offers updates on what you can expect starting in September from our network of online education leaders, including:
- AI in Education
- New research directions
- Partner hybrid events: Toronto (October 22) and Victoria (April 30 – May 2)
- Don’t miss out on sponsorship opportunities!
Image: Firefly create a simple graphic representing design tools for online learning, training, and future
CANeLearn Board: Research Update
The CANeLearn board finalized plans for future research and is seeking funding for research analyses and summaries publications through a new “Contributing Member” for organizational membership starting at $2500 annually. Research is beginning on the following key topics:
- Effective asynchronous and synchronous models, practices, strategies, and design, including how to offer them in conjunction;
- Analysis of Distance and Online Learning literature about Indigenous students and programs; and
- A collection of resources, papers, and strategies on the use and implications of generative AI in education (many created and curated by LEARN).
Check out CANeLearn publications here and see new blog posts and publications on the State of the Nation website.
Also, we again invite online school administrators to contribute information in support of the annual State of the Nation: K-12 e-Learning in Canada research study.
Add your online school’s data to the K-12 e-Learning Program Survey.
Image: Firefly education research graphic with checklist form and pencil using for background website banner
News and Resources
Breaking…
Do smartphones really cause mental illness among adolescents? – Ten problems with Jonathan Haidt’s book (The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness)
Via Stephen Downes’ @OLDaily
In the AI News
AI & Education: 2023 in Review – Dr. Phil
Popular tools for content were ChatGPT 4, Dall-e, WellSaid Labs, Synthesia & Colossyan;
ChatGPT & Claude for brainstorming; and
Download a PDF version of the report here.
OpenAI competitor Anthropic announces its most powerful AI yet – CNBC
Claude 3.5 Sonnet, its most powerful artificial intelligence model yet, is free for all users
A Guide to the GPT-4o ‘Omni’ Model – GSV: AI & Education
Limited free use available
New Research: Educators Still Struggling with Generative AI Detection, Discipline, and Distrust, Despite Increased School Guidance – Center for Democracy & Technology
Photo by Adobe Firefly
Resources
Introduction to AI in Education – a LEARN & CANeLearn Module
CC-licensed, free to use, copy and distribute; and
From the Teaching and Learning Online (TLO) CANeLearn course.
MVLRI Research Clearinghouse – Quarterly Update
FREE Financial Literacy Courses Online for Indigenous Communities – from IndigenousTech.ai
Check out our partner events!
The BOLTT Conference provides opportunities to learn, share, and network around promising practices, including:
- Innovative practices in online course development, delivery, assessment, communication, and student tracking and reporting in an eLearning, hybrid learning, or blended learning environment for elementary, secondary, or adult learners, or special programs;
- Impactful tools to enhance digital course instruction or assessment; and
- Unique online learning programs, projects, and initiatives.
Registration starts in September
Check out sponsorship opportunities here!
The 22nd Annual Digital Learning Symposium (#DLsymp25) hybrid event is at the beautiful Downtown Victoria Conference Centre.