Web-Based Course (WBC) Option

Web-Based Courses (WBCs) provide schools and teachers with access to online distance learning courses using a web-based 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 distance 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.

In order to access WBCs a learner must be registered in a Manitoba high school or adult learning centre that supports web-based course instruction. Learners complete WBCs within the regular academic year/semester, and are assessed by their WBC teacher. Schools and adult learning centres issue the credit to learners who successfully complete a WBC course.

 

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 continually seeks ways to create more opportunities for learner success, through relevant and engaging distance learning options.

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Guidelines

Manitoba Education maintains high and consistent standards for quality Web-Based Courses (WBCs) by:

• creating policies, procedures, and operational guidelines for Web-Based Courses and for future online learning options as they emerge
• leading the development and renewal of WBCs and resources to reflect effective pedagogical practice for distance learning, to provide congruence with Manitoba curriculum and to support learning and engagement
• collaborating with stakeholders to coordinate the implementation, delivery, and/or sharing of WBCs
• providing professional learning and support to educators who are working with web-based course learners
• promoting and distributing information related to WBCs
• integrating appropriate and available information and communication technologies (ICT) to enhance engagement of WBC learners
• providing access to WBCs at no charge for teachers/schools
• encouraging sharing of WBC seats between schools/divisions
• providing guidance for peer review of locally developed WBCs offered across divisional boundaries

Schools/School Divisions may provide learners with opportunities for success in relevant and engaging distance learning experiences by:

• acting in accordance with Manitoba Education’s policies, including the procedures and guidelines for implementing WBCs
• providing information and facilitating discussions that lead to informed decision-making by learners and parents considering a WBC
• identifying an on-site facilitator(s) to support student learning
• ensuring that any WBC not developed by Manitoba Education, but accessed by their learners, is congruent with Manitoba curriculum, and satisfies Manitoba Education’s procedures and guidelines for recognizing and granting credits to meet graduation requirements in Manitoba
• offering learners access to WBCs to enable them to meet graduation requirements, explore areas of interest, and meet specific learning needs
• ensuring that the marks learners receive in WBCs are recorded on their records, and are reported following established guidelines
• developing local policies to support the operation of WBCs in their school/division, including how course fees, if any, will be handled
• supervising educators involved in teaching WBCs to distance learners
• providing opportunities for teachers of web-based courses to participate in professional learning about the pedagogy of distance learning and other skills needed for using the Learning Management System
• ordering, administering, and marking required provincial standards tests for learners registered in WBCs.

Schools may choose to provide this distance learning option according to school/division needs.

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