University of Toronto – Digital Learning Innovation Digital Learning Innovation

With support from the Vice-Provost Innovations in Undergraduate Education the Gen AI Literacy Open Educational Resource (OER) Course Modules initiative has been launched, aimed at equipping instructors with customizable content to improve Generative AI literacy among students. Over the next few months four faculty members will be providing feedback on design and development and will then pilot the modules in their courses over the summer and fall 2025 semesters. These modules will be created with adaptability in mind, ensuring seamless integration into various course contexts.  

The participating instructors include: 

• Ariel Chan, Dept. of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, FASE  
• Aarthi Ashok, Dept. of Biological Sciences, UTSC 
• Melody Neumann, Dept of Cell & Systems Biology, FAS  
• Maria Assif, Dept. of English, UTSC 

Visit our Open UToronto website for full details on this initiative

Spring is here and summer courses are about to begin at U of T. Students will find that many undergraduate summer courses are moving online to meet their learning needs. These courses provide: 

• Flexibility, allowing students to study at their own pace and schedule, making it easier to balance other commitments like work, internships and family. 
• Accessibility, allowing students to access high-quality education regardless of their geographical location.  

Instructors new to teaching online can visit our strategies for effective online and hybrid course design resource page where we have collected links to resources with expert tips, proven strategies, and selected resources to navigate teaching and learning online with confidence.  You will find support for planning, design and delivery of online and hybrid courses that you can bookmark as a handy reference, or you can choose downloadable versions that can be shared with colleagues, TA’s and support staff. 

Interested in seeing which courses are available online? 

Visit the University of Toronto timetable builder. 

Step 1, select the faculty/division(s) and summer session(s) you are interested in viewing. 

Step 2, select “show more filters” and then select the delivery mode(s) for hybrid, online, synchronous and/or asynchronous. 

A list of online and hybrid courses will be displayed.  

Digital Learning Innovation coordinates the University of Toronto’s Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) initiative. Our MOOC activity remains strong and for our 2023 report we look at the impact MOOCs have had at UofT and beyond.  

Read the full 2023 MOOC Impact Report for more on our MOOC reach and how our offerings are meeting our institutional goals for MOOC programming.

In the report we discuss our partnership with Alumni Relations to provide MOOCs specifically for UofT alumni and friends. In this year’s offering, participants were invited to embark on a transformative journey with The Arts & Science of Relationships: Human Needs course. Learners are exploring the intricate forces shaping human behavior and relationships through psychology, sociology, and anthropology. While the course will wrap up shortly, over 3000 unique learners are currently participating in the course. 

One new area of exploration is the potential for MOOCs to provide on-demand continuing professional education (CPE) credits for professional development. We currently have three courses that offer CPE credits and two more are in development. We are encouraged to see that these MOOC offerings still provide free access to content to those who wish, while providing flexible learning opportunities for those looking for certification to extend their professional education.  

You can read more about MOOCs and other open educational resources and activity on our Open UToronto website. 

Thursday, November 23
3:00 – 4:00 pm

Registration and Information

Join the IT@UofT community at this upcoming online event. To broaden our understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion in our daily work, along with considerations such as indigenization, decolonization, and sustainability, we recognize the need to focus on less visible, yet highly impactful areas and processes. This webinar will delve into the implications of educational technology procurement, a key part of the institutional framework, through which students, staff, and faculty interact. Decisions regarding major technology systems carry significant long-term financial and cultural consequences, impacting resources during and beyond the procurement and implementation phases. The University of Windsor’s Office of Open Learning will share outcomes of a project exploring strategies to guide us in making ethical, equitable, and sustainable decisions when procuring technologies. Join us for a presentation by the project leads, discussing what they have learned about intersections of technology, ethics, and equity in educational tech procurement. This event is part of an ongoing program of activities coordinated by the IT@UofT Inclusivity Working Group.

Presenters: 

Ashlyne O’Neil – Learning Specialist, Office of Open Learning, University of Windsor

Nick Baker – Director, Office of Open Learning, University of Windsor

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Host: Laurie Harrison – Director, Digital Learning Innovation, University of Toronto

This year the eCampusOntario Technology and Education Seminar and Showcase (TESS) Conference will be taking place on November 1 and 2, 2023. The call for presentation proposals on the theme of Supporting the Digitally Empowered Learner has just been released with a deadline of June 5. Conference content tracks include:

• Experiential Learning
• Transformative Technology
• The Lifelong Learner
• The Digital Balance

Visit the eCampusOntario site for information on the TESS conference and to submit your proposal. 

This annual event, held in-person in downtown Toronto, provides a great opportunity to connect with colleagues and share ideas on new developments in digital learning. Consider submitting a proposal to present, or mark your calendar and plan to attend next fall.

Application Deadline: May 19, 2023

eCampusOntario’s Ontario Exchange (OEX) matches postsecondary institutions with service providers with expertise in virtual learning and content creation services, such as instructional designers, multimedia developers, graphic artists, video specialists, accessibility consultants, etc. Recently an application window was announced for the “Funded Support” stream. Note that funding is not provided to the university applicant, but rather paid to the service provider vetted by eCampusOntario to complete work on your project. 

University of Toronto applicants require the support of the Office of the Vice-Provost Innovations in Undergraduate Education (VPIUE) as the “signing authority” on the submission form. Please contact digital.learning@utoronto.ca for consultation and to arrange for institutional endorsement.

OEX Funded Support

• Using funding provided by the Government of Ontario’s Virtual Learning Strategy mandate, Ontario Exchange will cover the cost of any approved projects in the funded support stream up to $50,000. Service providers contracted for selected projects will be paid directly by eCampusOntario.
• Institutions can submit project applications through the Ontario Exchange website. Applications must be received by 5:00 pm on Friday, May 19, 2023. 

Support for Recent Graduates

• eCampusOntario also has funding to support recent graduates* for a short-term post-graduate placement. If you have an existing or upcoming virtual learning project you can apply to receive $15,000 to support the employment of a recent graduate on the project.
• Institutions can submit project applications to exchange@ecampusontario.ca with the subject line “Support for Recent Graduate Project Application”. Applications must be received by 5:00pm on Friday, May 19, 2023. 

*Recent graduates are defined as those who have graduated within the prior 24-months of June 1, 2023.

For more information visit the eCampusOntario OEX FAQ page for a preview of application questions and to learn more about the program.

Contact digital.learning@utoronto.ca for information or consultation on University of Toronto applications.