Frequently Asked Questions

In September 2006, more than 100 schools in the province will be providing e-course as part of the senior high school program. The following provides answers to some of the commonly asked questions.

Q. What are e-courses?

A. E-courses are the same courses as those taught in the classroom except the subject teacher (e-teacher) is at another location and the instruction and communication between students and e-teacher are mainly through the Internet. (Teacher and student are physically separated).

Q. How will e-courses be offered?

A. The main tool needed to offer e-courses is a multimedia computer workstation connected to the Internet. Equipment such as scanners and printers are also provided to assist with teaching and learning. In some courses specialized equipment may be required and this will be provided at the schools where students are taking e-courses.

Q. What are the benefits of taking an e-course?

A. The benefits include:

• opportunities to take courses which your school doesn't offer,
• instruction from teachers with strong qualifications in the subject. In most cases CDLI teachers instruct in courses maximizing their area of specialty.
• access to more post-secondary options on graduation from high school. Students can avail of more high school courses better preparing them for post-secondary involvement.
• better preparation for post-secondary education,
• skill development in the use of information and communications technologies.

Q. Will I be able to take an e-course as part of my daily school schedule?

A. A students CDLI schedule will reflect the same amount of time as they are for regular classroom courses. However, e-courses are much more flexible and students in the same school, doing an e-course, can do so at different times. It is important to get the full number of hours required for a course but students can fit these classes into their individual timetables to best suit their needs.

Q. Where will I go to take the e-course?

A. Some schools will choose to offer e-courses in a regular classroom, while other schools may elect to conduct courses in a computer lab or resource centre setting. Your principal will inform you of the exact location in your school before you start the course.

Q. How will I know how to communicate on-line?

A. At the beginning of the school year, you will engage in on-line tutorials that will teach you how to open the course and how to use the tools to do your work.

Q. Will I be able to talk directly to my teacher when learning on-line?

A. Special software will actually permit you to speak to and interact with your e-teacher across the Internet. The amount of time you will interact with your e-teacher will vary from course to course.

Q. Is this approach limited in learner flexibility?

A. The internet offers tremendous learning opportunities and flexibility for learners. Colleges and universities have been taking advantage of this flexibility for a number of years. New advances in information and communications technologies make it possible to reduce the scheduling limitations of the present distance education system and enable us to increase both the number of courses and the number of students that can participate.

Q. How will the e-teacher receive my tests and assignments if he or she is not located in the school?

A. There are different ways to send your assignments and tests to your e-teacher. Some will be sent as an attachment to e-mail, while others will be submitted through the web site.

Q. What if I run into technical trouble with the computers?

A. CDLI takes technical troubles very seriously. Support is available at the school level (m-team) or from your e-teacher when needed. In addition, there is a toll free 1-866 help line available to address any technical or software problems you might have.

Q. Will there be any assistance at my school level?

A. Yes, in each school, there will be a team of people including teachers, principal and others (m-team) assigned to students doing e-courses. While primarily responsible for supervising and monitoring your work, these teachers may be able to assist you with minor technical problems. It should be understood that these teachers will not be expected to provide instruction related to the content of your course.

Q. If I have technical problems?

A. A support number has been put in place to help you with technical problems: 1.866.836.3559