Queen’s University continues to gain momentum in online learning, thanks to a $1.5-million funding boost through the Government of Ontario’s shared online course funding program, formerly known as the Ontario Online Initiative. The funding will allow the university to develop or redesign 28 online courses.

For the third straight year, Queen’s leads the province’s universities for the amount of funding awarded through the program, receiving 32 per cent of the total allocated.

“Queen’s is very proud of its track record in developing high-quality online learning opportunities for students, which is reflected in our repeated success in the provincial funding competition,” says Alan Harrison, Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic). “The university delivers online learning experiences that are informed by best practices, including the integration of explicit learning outcomes and active learning strategies into course design.”

The 28 Queen’s courses funded this year include Sustainability and the Environment, Cognitive Psychology, First Nations Playwrights, and Design Thinking. Many of the courses will be delivered through Queen’s Arts and Science Online and all will be available through the new eCampusOntario online learning hub, which now includes 13,000 online courses offered by universities and colleges across the province.

“This funding will enable further expansion of online learning opportunities for Queen’s students, including the development of fully online programs such as the new Bachelor of Health Sciences,” says Jill Scott, Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning). “Queen’s was a pioneer in distance education when it became the first university in Canada to offer extension courses in 1889, and continues its tradition of providing flexibility and accessibility in education through online course and program delivery.”

Queen’s already has more than 140 courses available online, as well as five full degree programs. More information about online offerings is available on Queen’s online learning hub.

Ontario’s shared online course funding program was created to promote the development of online courses at universities and colleges and to give students greater flexibility as they pursue their degrees.