2023 – 2024 Annual Report
Partner Institutions
Algonquin College
Cambrian College
Canadore College
Centennial College
Collège Boréal
Collège La Cité
College Sector Committee for Adult Upgrading
Conestoga College
Confederation College
Durham College
Fanshawe College
Fleming College
George Brown College
Georgian College
Humber College
Kenjgewin Teg
Lambton College
Loyalist College
Mohawk College
Niagara College
Northern College
Sault College
Seneca Polytechnic
Seven Generations Education Institute
Sheridan College
St. Clair College
St. Lawrence College
Our Mission
OntarioLearn is a consortium of institutions devoted to the development and delivery of high-quality, accessible, student-centred online learning opportunities.
Vision Statement
OntarioLearn is a national leader in post-secondary online education. This leadership will be ensured by maintaining the highest standards of curriculum design and delivery, leveraging our award-winning* cooperative model and pursuing ever-expanding markets.
*Canadian Association for Distance Education (CADE) 2006 award “Excellence and Innovation in Partnership/Collaboration”
Achievements at a Glance
2021 – 2022
Board Approve
New Strategic Plan
- Members provide input to ensure OntarioLearn’s new 2022-2025 Strategic Plan is relevant and supports the system’s directions and needs
- Introduced new policies and updated existing policies to support strategic directions
- Introduced several new business streams to support system collaborations in new online programming
- 93,369 course registrations achieved (a return to more realistic enrolment after the explosive growth seen during the pandemic)
2022 – 2023
First Year of
New Strategic Plan
- First year of the 2022-25 Strategic Plan, providing all the committees a new focus that supports member Colleges and Indigenous Institutes current goals
-
New partnership supporting the Nursing Program Transformation Initiative, including the launch of the Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN) Pathway and the Personal Support Worker (PSW) to Practical Nursing (PN) Pathway
-
80,330 course registrations achieved
2023 – 2024
Partnership Expansion
and Growth
- An expanded collaboration with College Sector Committee for Adult Upgrading (CSCAU) joining our collaborative community to deliver their Learn to Learn and Support Courses
- Continued partnership with the Nursing Program Transformation Initiative (NPTI) included the delivery/planning of additional pathways and the inclusion of the French Colleges
- 5.4% increase in year over year registrations. 84,662 course registrations achieved
A Message from the Chair
As we reflect on the past year, it is with both pride and gratitude that I present our Annual Report on behalf of the Board of Directors, which highlights the progress, achievements, and challenges we have faced as an organization.
This report is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire OntarioLearn team, whose commitment has driven our success and supported our mission. We have navigated a year marked by significant milestones and transformative changes. Here are some of our key accomplishments:
- OntarioLearn Collaboration: We were thrilled to welcome the College Sector Committee for Adult Upgrading (CSCAU) into our collaborative community. Their Learn to Learn and Support Courses have been integrated successfully, enriching our educational offerings and broadening our impact.
- Nursing Program Transformation Initiative (NPTI): Our ongoing partnership with NPTI has been fruitful, with the delivery and planning of additional pathways. This year, the French Colleges worked together to plan for the delivery of the NPTI pathways, enhancing accessibility and diversity in our nursing programs
- Increased Registrations: We experienced a 5.4% increase in year-over-year registrations, rebounding from reductions in the previous two years due to the effects of COVID-19. This year, we achieved a remarkable total of 84,662-course registrations, reflecting the growing demand and our effective response to evolving needs.
- Technological Advancement: The team completed the transition to a new Technology Service Provider model, marking a significant step forward in our technological capabilities and operational efficiency.
As I approach the end of my term as Chair, I want to express my deep gratitude for the privilege of serving in this role. It has been an honor to witness the momentum and leadership of OntarioLearn in the post-secondary space. I am confident that the organization is in excellent hands with Don Duclos stepping into the role of Chair. Don’s vision and experience will undoubtedly guide OntarioLearn to new heights, and I look forward to seeing the continued success of our organization under his leadership.
I encourage you to review the Annual Report thoroughly and reach out with any questions or feedback you may have. Your engagement is invaluable to us as we strive to advance our goals and foster a successful future for OntarioLearn and its members.
Thank you for your continued support and trust. Together, we will continue to build on our successes and navigate the path forward with optimism and determination.
Michelle DeCoste
Chair, OntarioLearn
A Progressive Leader in Online Education
OntarioLearn is a progressive leader in the collaborative sharing and delivering of quality online education. With over 1.4 million course enrolments since its inception in 1995 and a student retention rate close to 90%, OntarioLearn has proven it delivers what learners want and need.
Governed by the 24 Ontario colleges, the consortium works as a synergistic, responsive and dynamic group to develop and deliver flexible, demand-driven online learning focused on the needs of Ontario’s online post-secondary learners. Additional post-secondary institutions and other organizations with values that align with the colleges participate in various business streams within the consortium and expand the opportunity for relevant online learning for learners in Ontario. This partnership approach allows members to optimize resources and deliver one of the largest inventories of high-quality online programs and courses in North America. The Board of Directors, along with recommendations from a Management Committee, provide OntarioLearn with leadership and oversight.
Fostering Innovation
Work continued during this past year with several initiatives to advance access and enrich the online learning experience for learners. Expanding into a variety of different business streams has enabled partners to explore unique ways to deliver online courses and programs in a collaborative environment.
OntarioLearn expanded the collaboration with College Sector Committee for Adult Upgrading (CSCAU) in 2023. CSCAU has offered their Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) courses through OntarioLearn with Durham College’s support for many years. In September 2024, CSCAU began offering Learn to Learn and pre-ACE level courses (communication and numeracy support courses) through OntarioLearn. This was the first time courses were offered on a weekly intake basis.
The continued partnership with Colleges Ontario and partner colleges included the development and delivery of programs as part of the Nursing Program Transformation Initiative. Two streams were delivered in 2023-24: IEN (Internationally Educated Nurse) Competency Upgrade Pathway and the Personal Support Worker (PSW) to Practical Nursing (PN) Pathway. The development of the Registered Practical Nursing (RPN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) Pathway and the French IEN (Internationally Educated Nurse) Competency Upgrade Pathway continued with a launch in April and May 2024. More pathways are being developed and will be launched in 2024-25.
Inspiring Learning
OntarioLearn’s commitment to continue advancing its resources has considerably elevated the online learning experience, offering learners a rich environment in which to learn.
Flexibility
For some learners dealing with family and school schedules, employment hours, day-to-day obligations or living in a rural or remote location, the flexibility of an online education offers a practical alternative to stringent on-campus class timetables or a long commute to attend classes in person.
In the Winter 2024 student survey, 89% of learners indicated their work schedule and/or their family responsibilities were the reason for choosing an online course. 38% of learners said they preferred the online environment
Another advantage for learners is the frequent start dates of courses. In addition to the three traditional semester intakes in the fall, winter and spring, OntarioLearn offers many courses at the start of every month throughout the year. The monthly intake option gives learners greater flexibility to begin their courses at a time that suits their needs and offers the ability to complete a program at their own pace. For the first time, OntarioLearn is also offering weekly intakes of the CSCAU Learn 2 Learn
Diversity
There are many reasons why learners choose to learn online. OntarioLearn recognizes this and makes every effort to provide support to all learners. This includes individuals who are preparing for a career change or working toward completing their post-secondary education and others who chose courses unavailable at their local institution or who have unique needs that make travel to and from campus difficult.
In the Winter 2024 OntarioLearn Student Feedback Survey, respondents indicated:
%
Are employed while they study.
%
Identify as female.
%
Take online courses because of their work schedule and/or their family responsibilities.
%
Prefer the online learning environment.
%
Are in online courses related to previous post-secondary education or training.
%
Are looking to improve themselves in their current careers.
%
are looking to improve themselves in their current career or preparing for a career change
%
Are newcomers to Canada (within the last 10 years).
Learner Educational Goals
I am working towards:
Learner Demographics
The Consortium’s
Mandate
How OntarioLearn Works
OntarioLearn operates as a virtual organization responsible for managing the infrastructure and course inventory of all online courses offered through the consortium. The partner institutions in the consortium can be either a host institution or a registering institution.
The host institution owns the course content and delivers the course for the province. The host institution’s role is indispensable in making possible what OntarioLearn strives to achieve: providing in-demand, accessible, flexible and high-quality online courses to learners.
The role of the host institution is multi-faceted: designing, developing and delivering online courses to be shared with the consortium’s partner institutions. The host institution is also responsible for course quality, maintenance, assigning the online course facilitator and providing final grades.
A registering institution identifies and selects courses from the OntarioLearn course inventory to complement and add to their own list of online courses. This allows each institution to expand their course offerings without the extra costs and resources to develop, schedule and maintain additional courses.
As a result of OntarioLearn’s collaborative model, learners can access all 1,450+ courses available across the system and register for their selected courses with the institution of their choice.
In addition to the course inventory, institutions collaborated in the development of fully online programs that meet the needs of learners across the province. Quality Assurance policies and processes have been developed to support program sharing in addition to course sharing. Program Attestation documents outlining programs of study, quality review, and learning outcome changes are available to all institutions for shared programs to ensure up-to-date information is available for institutions when they make decisions about what programs to make available for their learners.
Our Intake Activity
OntarioLearn continues to offer courses not only each semester but monthly, giving learners more flexibility in choosing when to begin their studies. For the first time in 2023/24, OntarioLearn also added weekly intakes of courses offered by College Sector Committee for Adult Upgrading (CSCAU).
As the chart below demonstrates, although the majority of course enrolment resulted from courses offered on a semester basis, monthly intake enrolments continue to be attractive to online learners and account for 22% of the overall total enrolment for the 2023/2024 year.
Included in the enrolment information is enrolment in the private and privately shared business streams, which now accounts for 8.7% of the overall total enrolment, a significant increase from previous years. These private streams are continuing to grow with the addition of activity, such as the Nursing Program Transformation Initiative (NPTI) and the weekly intake courses by CSCAU.
Course Enrolment by Intake
There were 18,610 monthly-intake enrolments reported for 2023/24. This accounts for 22% of the overall 2023/24 OntarioLearn enrolment activity. The new weekly-intake enrollments accounted for 1.9% of the overall activity. The table below compares the enrolment activity in “semester-intake” courses, “monthly-intake” courses and “weekly-intake” courses during 2023/24.
Enrolment by Intake
| Semester | Semester-Intake | Monthly Intake | Weekly Intake | Total 2023/2024 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # Sections | Enrol. | % Enrol. Activity | # Sections | Enrol. | % Enrol. Activity | # Sections | Enrol. | % Enrol. Activity | # Sections | Enrol. | |
| Spring 2023 | 872 | 18,418 | 74.3% | 352 | 6,355 | 25.7% | – | – | 0.0% | 1,224 | 24,773 |
| Fall 2023 | 917 | 22,295 | 75.7% | 317 | 6,274 | 21.3% | 36 | 884 | 3.0% | 1,270 | 29,453 |
| Winter 2024 | 927 | 23,750 | 78.0% | 247 | 5,981 | 19.7% | 38 | 705 | 2.3% | 1,212 | 30,436 |
| Total | 2,716 | 64,463 | 76.1% | 916 | 18,610 | 22.0% | 74 | 1,589 | 1.9% | 3,706 | 84,662 |
Hosting Institution Activity (2023-2024)
Learner Success and
Retention Rates
The learner success rate for OntarioLearn’s online courses continues to show strong results. When adjusting to factor in attrition, the learner success rate in 2023 was 89.3%. The retention rate was 89.1%.
%
Learner Success
%
Learner Retention
Rate Descriptions
Success rate is defined as the % of learner who achieved a final grade “greater or equal to” the minimum pass rate for their course.
Attrition rate is defined as the % of learner who officially withdrew from their course or did not complete the course and were assigned a grade of zero.
Retention rate is defined as the % of learner who were assigned a final grade.
“This was a perfect asynchronous online course experience! The Facilitator provided a tutorial on how to navigate through Blackboard and kept the students engaged with weekly emails and heads-up to start working on assignments. The flow of the course was run smoothly and sensibly. I hope the facilitator will be teaching the next course that I’ll be taking!”
Seneca Polytechnic Student
Performance Highlights
Key Objectives
Marketing and Strategic Enrolment Committee
To help promote OntarioLearn to internal and external stakeholders.
Achievement
-
- Developed and deployed Marketing Videos for member institutions to use to promote OntarioLearn. The target audience for the videos includes VPAs, Deans, Chairs and Program Coordinators, to increase their awareness of OntarioLearn and how they can incorporate OntarioLearn into their retention strategies. A presentation was made to the CCVPA group that included the viewing of the videos.
- Bronze sponsor at the November 2024 Higher Education Summit, which included a conference booth that was staffed by committee and board members. This sponsorship provided OntarioLearn excellent exposure to College employees and Board members.
Pathways, Partnership and
Program Innovation Committee
To ensure quality assurance policies and processes are updated for courses and programs and to identify and lead collaborative projects.
Achievement
-
- Explored pathways and partnership opportunities including micro-credentials and degree pathways.
- Discussed AI and its impact on assessments in the context of asynchronous courses.
- Quality Assurance Community of Practice (QACOP) is co-chaired by two college leaders who are members of this community. Highlights for 2023/24 include:
- Implementating the 7th Edition QM Rubric that was released June 2023.
- Providing some PD opportunities to partner colleges.
- Developing a customized 7th Edition Worksheet to meet the needs of the member institutions, with a particular emphasis on EDI teaching and learning practices and methodologies.
Risk Management and Policy Committee
To maintain a regular schedule for reviewing all policies, creating new policies as required and provide a risk management framework to the Board.
Achievement
-
- Updated two academic policies (Learners with Disabilities, Users Code of Conduct and Acceptable Information Technology).
- Updated seven administrative policies (Learner Complaints, Textbook and Learning Resources, Withdrawals and Refunds, Course Extensions, Publishing Courses, Program Quality Assurance, Accessibility Standards for Customer Service).
- Updated one corporate policy (Confidentiality of Student Information)
- Supported the first steps in the development of a Risk Audit to support the development of a Risk Management Framework.
Technology and Data Analytics Committee
Continuation of a multi-year phased business efficiency, process and technology project to ensure currency of technologies, security and forwardlooking development.
Achievement
-
- Provided feedback and insights to support the implementation of a new OntarioLearn technology model as the previous Technology Service Provider no longer provided this service delivery. This included:
- 24/7/365 Helpdesk (new contractor Buchanan Technologies and internal support)
- LMS Administration (Blackboard, D2L Brightspace, and the phasing out of Moodle)
- Website and DNS Hosting
- Supported the conversation of all member institutions to the use of institutional emails for their learners. This conversion will enhance the learner experience, allow for additional efficiencies, and address security concerns.
- Provided feedback and insights to support the implementation of a new OntarioLearn technology model as the previous Technology Service Provider no longer provided this service delivery. This included:
“It is clear that this facilitator is passionate about the contents of this course. The content was expertly created, and the knowledge invaluable to my career.”
Georgian College Student
Enrolment Summary
Course Enrolment by Year
OntarioLearn’s annual enrolment total for the 2023/24 is 84,662. This is a 5.4% increase over the previous fiscal year.
Course Enrolment by Institution
The following table details enrolment activity at each partner institution for 2023/24.
Academic Pathways
Courses
The OntarioLearn consortium is committed to providing a wide range of high-quality courses and programs and achieves this at a manageable cost to learners by placing a focus on reducing course overlap. This no-duplicate policy allows only one course in a particular subject area to be part of the OntarioLearn course inventory.
2023 – 2024 OntarioLearn Course Inventory
OntarioLearn is continually adding to the course inventory to assist learners on their academic journey. Currently, there are:
-
- 1,453 courses available
- 100 new courses claimed and under development
Programs
In addition to continually developing and delivering new courses, one of OntarioLearn’s strategic priorities is to expand our offerings based on market demands. There are many credentials for online learners to choose from. Currently, there are 664 programs that lead to credentials listed on the OntarioLearn website. This great diversity of learning options for learners is a large part of what makes OntarioLearn so unique and successful.
The Nursing Program Transformation Initiative (NPTI) saw the development and launch on OntarioLearn of a number of programs including the IEN (Internationally Educated Nurse) Competency Upgrade Pathway, the Personal Support Worker (PSW) to Practical Nursing (PN) Pathway, and the Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) Pathway. All these programs are also being developed in French and will be delivered by the French colleges.
Categories of Credentialed Programs
| Credential | College Approved Certificate | Ontario College Certificate | Ontario College Diploma | Ontario College Advanced Diploma | Ontario College Graduate Certificate | Bachelor's Degree | Other | Total # of Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 415 | 30 | 36 | 3 | 59 | 1 | 120 | 664 |
Program Inventory
There are 659 partner institution programs listed on the OntarioLearn website, as highlighted below.
“I’d like to convey my gratitude for providing such a fantastic education. I believe it has provided me with significant abilities that will help me in both my academic and career goals. I appreciate the opportunity to provide input, and I look forward to future learning opportunities.”
Loyalist College Student
Quality Assurance
Ensuring the quality of course curriculum is a core value of OntarioLearn. Courses are continually reviewed and improvements made to meet the high academic standards set by the institutions and to ensure the academic success and satisfaction of learners.
OntarioLearn’s approach to the quality assurance ecosystem includes a requirement for all new and substantially altered courses to undergo a review following the Quality Matters ™ (QM) higher education rubric process with additional annotations relevant to OntarioLearn.
Quality Matters™
Our streamlined Quality Matters ™ (QM) approach process has been adopted by all member institutions. As a result, we provide an automated Self Review and Verification process through QM for all new and revised courses.
All new courses being developed and courses being reviewed utilize the QM 6th Edition Higher Education Rubric to guide their development or review. These courses must meet the required threshold of 85% for all required QM standards. The courses engaged in redesign reflect a diverse group of subject matter ranging from business, sociology, environment, math, communication, health care, and technology.
“I thoroughly enjoyed this class. I have worked in the field of early learning and development for 15+ years. The knowledge I gained from this course provided me with so much additional understanding regarding mental health issues and the impact it has on children and youth. This course will definitely help me to better support the children and families I work with in the community.”
Fleming College Student
The Future of Quality at OntarioLearn
OntarioLearn has revisited the role of our OL Quality Coordinator. As institutions have matured with their own quality practices, we are committed to a peer-to-peer model, whereby the OL Coordinator guides and supports the instructional designers at the respective institutions. Since 2022/23, the Peer Reviewer Model has been implemented, with the support of the OL Quality Coordinator.
The OL Community of Practice continued to promote Professional Development opportunities and create a supportive network of Quality Leaders at member institutions.
In 2023/24, Quality Matters ™ introduced the QM 7th Edition Higher Education Rubric. The OL Community of Practice worked very closely with the OL Quality Coordinator to support the implementation of this updated Quality Rubric. In addition, the group developed a customized 7th Edition Worksheet to meet the needs of the member institutions, with a particular emphasis on EDI teaching and learning practices and methodologies.
Enriched Technology Services
OntarioLearn Website
The OntarioLearn website provides learners with a user-friendly, seamless vehicle to explore online learning options offered across all participating institutions. The website features accessible theme-based web pages with a responsive design to suit visitor devices.
Learning Management Systems
Two supported Learning Management Systems (LMS) serve as reliable platforms of online course delivery. These are Anthology’s Blackboard and Brightspace’s Desire2Learn (D2L). Host institutions determine which platform to use for their courses. As part of maintaining modern secure infrastructure, Blackboard was moved to a Software as A Service (SAAS) platform in Fall 2023.
2023-24 Enrolment Distribution by Platform
OntarioLearn Portal
The OntarioLearn Portal is a gateway to all online courses, tools and support for learners, facilitators and administrators in the OntarioLearn network. To further support a variety of delivery models, updates to the portal and other related processes have been implemented to allow for more flexibility in the net settlement process. In addition, plans are under way to update internal processes to allow for more differentiated intakes.
Technical Support
This year brought a significant change to the delivery model of Technical Support for OntarioLearn. The Technical Service Provider that supported OntarioLearn for over 20 years no longer offers those services. As a result, we converted those services as follows:
-
- Contracted with Buchanan Technologies to provide learners with a live 24/7 help desk. Their Prince Edward Island based helpdesk has the reliability, experience and skills to support our learners. Telephone, online chat, ticket submission, FAQ links and a knowledge-base search tool are available. Help desk statistics are provided each month to OntarioLearn, allowing the consortium to identify and react in a timely manner to trends impacting end-users.
- Increased internal support to provide LMS administration, website and DNS management, as well as second tier helpdesk support
“This course was well delivered and exceeded my expectations. The content was relevant and the lab exercises encouraged me to do more research to achieve the required outcomes.”
Lambton College Student
Helpdesk Inquiries
In 2023, the Help Desk responded to 13,291 11,660 inquiries. October and November data is not available as there was a transition to a new helpdesk provider.
| 2023 Help Desk | Jan | Feb | Mar | April | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phone | 584 | 181 | 188 | 168 | 551 | 158 | 146 | 167 | 714 | n/a | n/a | 306 | 3,163 |
| Email/Webforms | 375 | 164 | 154 | 158 | 326 | 165 | 136 | 146 | 392 | n/a | n/a | 71 | 2,087 |
| Online Chats | 1,276 | 355 | 364 | 347 | 1,221 | 445 | 421 | 315 | 1,385 | n/a | n/a | 281 | 6,410 |
| Total | 2,235 | 700 | 706 | 673 | 2,098 | 768 | 703 | 628 | 2,491 | 0 | 0 | 658 | 11,660 |
Finance Brief
Statement of Financial Postion
March 31, 2023
The data below reflects figures related to the infrastructure operations of OntarioLearn only and does not include the revenue and costs incurred by individual partner institutions.
As a participant in the consortium, members and partner institutions pay an annual fee plus an administration fee per enrolment to OntarioLearn. OntarioLearn’s infrastructure is solely sustained by members and partner institutions’ contributions.
A significant change to the OntarioLearn Financials for 2023/24 was the direct billing of the Technology costs to the colleges beginning in September 2023 and incurring the related expenses. This was previously done directly by the Technology Service Provider.
In 2023-2024, OntarioLearn continued to invest in its operations, including quality assurance processes and the OntarioLearn Portal. OntarioLearn’s revenue sources are comprised mainly of annual fees, administration fees and technical fees from enrolments. Operating costs are primarily salaries and contract services (systems, legal, accounting, etc.)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash $2,270,388
Amounts receivable $357,068
Prepaid expenses $55,133
$2,682,589
$2,682,589
Liabilities
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities $452,266
Deferred revenue $81,000
$533,266
Net assets: Unrestricted$2,149,323
$2,682,589
OntarioLearn Outlook
OntarioLearn has completed the second year of the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan. The plan focuses on several strategic priorities that reflect the leadership that OntarioLearn provides the system in online learning.
The learner is at the forefront of OntarioLearn priorities, including ensuring learners have access to consistent and high-quality learning opportunities across the province.
As a longstanding and high-calibre provider of online learning to learners from across Ontario, as well as nationally and internationally, OntarioLearn is exceptionally well-situated to continue to grow and thrive as a valued partner and collaborator. Our philosophy of meeting learners where they are by providing just-in-time learning has never been more relevant and we look forward to serving our learners and member institutions through this strategic roadmap for our collective future.
Our priorities include:
Advancing quality by leveraging the expertise we have within our Quality Assurance Community of Practice. The continued implementation of the Quality Matters 7th Edition Rubric will support the consistency of the learner experience and quality improvement through the lens of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Advancing digital strategies that support our various business models and enhance processes using sustainable technology that continues to enable and support our collaboration. This priority will strengthen our approach to quality assurance and security. As we have concluded the implementation of a new Technology Service Provider model this past year, we are now prioritizing LMS upgrades and add-ons, renewal of the OntarioLearn website, and other efficiencies and security measures to support learners and our member institutions.
Advancing innovation and creating flexible opportunities for learners, supported by the strength we draw from collaborating with each other. We will expand our delivery model to include options for diverse learning activities and learner engagement channels and leverage technology to enable multiple options operating simultaneously.
Advancing sustainability and growth by building on OntarioLearn’s collaborative model and developing more opportunities for all partners. This will include focusing on strategic business development and partnership opportunities.
Conestoga College Student
Success Stories
My educational story is tied closely to my ADHD. I’ve always struggled with school my whole life. When I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, I had been in various college programs at different institutions, but I had never completed a program. Upon learning about what ADHD entails and how that would affect how I learn and process information and how my brain worked, it was like a switch went off in my head and suddenly the world made sense.
At that point, I was, like many Canadians, in between jobs due to the pandemic and isolating at home. I have heard similar stories to mine from many Mohawk students, both in online programs and in-person programs. For a lot of people, post-secondary education was out of reach as everyone was so busy just trying to get by. With things shutting down due to the pandemic, many people realized that they needed to upgrade their degrees to better their lives. With Mohawk College offering so many online programs via Ontario Learn as well as their own in-person programs shifting to an online focus, it was the perfect time for people to chase their dreams and try to better their lives.
I enrolled in Mohawk College’s Library and Information Technician Diploma program, which was being hosted via OntarioLearn. The ability to complete work at my own pace was perfect for my learning style and I was still able to reach my instructors any time I had a question or concern. I was able to work with my classmates for group projects, and I was able to track my course progress whenever I wanted. It also allowed me to start working part-time in my field at Mohawk College Library, while also being able to take a smaller course load. I graduated at my own pace and was able to get a full-time permanent job almost immediately. I would not have been able to achieve that without Mohawk College and OntarioLearn, and the process has inspired me to continue my educational journey past college to pursue University. I used to tell myself “I can only dream of just getting by”, but now I do more than just get by: I excel, and I can dream, which was something I thought people grew out of. I plan on getting my Bachelor’s next, and then pursuing my Master’s in Library and Information Science with the hopes of one day becoming a Librarian at Mohawk College Library.
Istheshad Chowdhury
Library and Information Technician Diploma Program
MOHAWK COLLEGE
Balancing work and family can be challenging, but I wanted to further my education without sacrificing my responsibilities. OntarioLearn offered me the perfect solution, allowing me to maintain my full-time job and motherhood while advancing my career. I am currently pursuing the Building Environmental Systems Operator course through Seneca College with OntarioLearn. It offers me the flexibility to set my own pace, choose the number of courses per semester, and provides access to a professor for support via email. After falling ill, I required time to focus on my health. This program offered me that opportunity, and I was able to start fresh in a new semester once I had fully recovered.
I realized that furthering my education was crucial to achieving my goals. When I came across OntarioLearn, I knew this was the opportunity I had been searching for. The option of online learning has allowed me to excel in all areas of my life, and I feel more confident in my career and as a role model for my children. This program has been a delight for me.
The well-designed courses are easy to navigate and captivating. I’m excited to take my education to the next level. Believe in your potential, the best is yet to come!
Invest in yourself by pursuing higher education. You’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish and the opportunities that await you! Programs through OntarioLearn offer a shining example of how support and resources can help individuals overcome obstacles like age, health, and responsibilities, allowing them to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.
The next chapter in my education is about to unfold, and I couldn’t be more excited. OntarioLearn, here I come!
Kourtney Boulton
Building Environmental Systems Operator Program
SENECA POLYTECHNIC
Life doesn’t always go as planned, and for me, things took a difficult detour after graduating from the University of Guelph.
As I was getting ready to pursue my career, life threw me a curveball—a rare neuromuscular disorder. It didn’t just happen overnight; the diagnosis took time, and I had to come to terms with being on disability for 11 long years. During that time, I knew I wanted to continue my education, but the thought of going back to school felt daunting. I worried about how I could handle lectures with my condition, which brought so many challenges. The idea of sitting through classes, dealing with symptoms, stressing over in-person exams, and not knowing when a flare-up might hit made it seem nearly impossible.
That’s when I found OntarioLearn at Georgian College after doing some online research. A chat with the OntarioLearn department helped me see how flexible and accessible this program could be. OntarioLearn allowed me to study remotely and, most importantly, at my own pace—something that was crucial when reading, writing, and memorizing became difficult. Being able to learn in a comfortable setting and go over material as many times as I needed made a huge difference. The support I received from the OntarioLearn team at Georgian was incredibly encouraging, which really helped ease my anxiety about getting back into education. The flexibility of studying outside traditional classroom hours and avoiding the physical strain of commuting made it possible for me to continue my education despite the challenges.
Now, I find myself working in the OntarioLearn department, which feels like everything has come full circle. It’s amazing to be able to give back to a program that helped me so much. When I connect with new and current students or those returning to school later in life, I always remember how much this flexibility meant to me. It’s incredibly fulfilling to help others discover the same opportunities that OntarioLearn offers.
Derek Carbone
OntarioLearn Support Officer
GEORGIAN COLLEGE
OntarioLearn 2023 – 2024
Board of Directors
Chair
Michelle DeCoste
Vice Chair
Don Duclos
VPA Liaison
Marilyn Herie
Director
Cebert Adamson
Director
Lori Crosson
Director
Patrick Devey
Director
Maher Ghalayini
