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Remote Learning
Web-Based Course (WBC) Option
What Is It?
Web-Based Courses (WBCs) provide schools and teachers with access to remote learning courses using a Learning Management System (LMS) . Learners participate in WBCs in a variety of ways: face-to-face in a classroom, at a distance, or as a blend of the two. The most common remote learning model involves a teacher structuring the course so that learners complete the work independently, at their own pace, but within timelines established by the teacher. The teacher may be a staff member of the school in which the learner is registered, or may teach the course at a distance from another school or school division.
Frequently Asked Questions (
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Rationale
The current reality of education in Manitoba poses a number of challenges for learners – particularly those located in rural and northern communities. Low student enrolment and shortages of teachers with specific subject expertise can limit accessibility to senior years courses. These factors present challenges for schools as they endeavour to provide learners with a range of course offerings that enable them to meet graduation requirements, explore areas of interest, and meet specific needs. Similar challenges also exist for adult learners and school-aged non-attending students (any school-aged learner not currently enrolled in a Manitoba School). To mitigate these factors, Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning continually seeks ways to create more opportunities for learner success, through relevant and engaging remote learning options.
Manitoba's Model for Web-Based Courses
The distributed model of remote learning enables students to access courses of study even though they may be in different physical locations than their teachers. The various delivery methodologies also support students in meeting Manitoba's graduation requirements. This model is based on student needs and tends to integrate traditional school resources, such as the classroom and library, with the delivery of online content. Furthermore, this model offers maximum flexibility to learners and teachers with respect to where and when to enter the learning environment.
Students interested in obtaining credits through WBC must be currently enrolled in a Manitoba school. Students are to communicate with their home school to determine what WBCs may be available from within their home school/division. Please note that web-based courses are offered at the discretion of the local school/school division.
Adult learners will need to register with an Adult Learning Centre to see what web-based course options may be available to them.
Once registered in a web-based course, students may access the WBC according to their personal timetable and schedule. In Manitoba, web-based courses are teacher-managed and instructed. Qualified teachers hired by their local school/division have been timetabled to deliver the WBC as part of their regular teaching assignment. Course content, including most assessment, is presented via the Internet, so access to the Internet is required for both teachers and students.
The Manitoba model for web-based course implementation and remote learning keeps student-learning local and close to home and it builds teachers' professional learning opportunities throughout the province, as all teachers in every school may be given opportunities to teach in an remote classroom environment.
