Category: Publication

What are the effects of LINC Blended Learning on learners, teachers and programs? Are there benefits or drawbacks? In September 2017 LearnIT2teach evaluators Jill Cummings, Matthias Sturm and Augusta Avram set out to gather evidence from field research at the LINC program of the Burnaby District School Board in the Lower Mainland of B.C. Three teachers, 45 learners, the program manager and a learning technology support instructor were followed over a ten-month period. Entrance and exit tests using the CELPIP tools were used to assess language gains. Interviews and surveys of participants provided additional qualitative and quantitative data.

Based on research and evaluation since project inception in 2010, this report summarizes results from two surveys of the implementation of learning technologies in LINC programs in Ontario and across Canada. There are plentiful examples across Canada of successful uptake by individual teachers and in some cases, entire programs. Surveys completed by training participants indicate 90%+ satisfaction with the training offered by the project.

In addition to our four-stage blended learning teacher training, since 2015 the project has been developing, piloting and hosting online training for LINC managers or lead teachers. Our aim has been to encourage emerging learning technology leadership and build knowledge and awareness of blended learning opportunities and challenges facing local leaders.

The project is pleased to offer managers and lead teachers in the IRCC-funded language training sector a new version of our leadership guide. Where previous versions (2012 and 2014) were print and PDF based, the Moodle 3 edition is an online resource on the project portal.

Project evaluation is part of every aspect of the project. This 85-page report summarizes what we’ve learned about learning innovation in the sector since 2013.

Project evaluation is part of every aspect of the project. This 85-page report summarizes what we’ve learned about learning innovation in the sector since 2013.