Contents on this Page
Remote Learning
Web-Based Course (WBC) Option
What Is It?
Web-Based Courses (WBCs) provide schools and teachers with access to online distance 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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (
104 KB)
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 distance learning options.
Manitoba's Model for Web-Based Courses
The distributed model of online distance learning enables students to access course credits from various provincially accredited organizations and to access various delivery methodologies to meet Manitoba's graduation requirements. This model is based on learner 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 as to determine what WBCs may be available from within their home school/division. A divisional contact person may help the schools/students find WBC from outside their 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 online 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 and learn in an online classroom environment.
Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning maintains high and consistent standards for quality Web-Based Courses (WBCs) by:
- creating policies, procedures, and operational guidelines for WBCs 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
