Online Learning Technology Policy
- Approver:
- Academic Coordinating Committee
- Policy Owner:
- Vice-President, Academic
- Policy Lead(s):
- Vice-President, Academic
- Effective date:
- 2016-09-21
- Date of last approval:
- 2022-01-05
- Status:
- Approved
Policy Statement
The purpose of this policy is to support Conestoga’s strategic priorities through the use of a Learning Management System and standards related to online learning delivery. All courses delivered online recognize the obligation to be compliant with legislation including Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and college policies including Copyright Policy, Accessibility Policies and eConestoga Essential Elements.
Scope
This policy applies to all classroom enhanced, hybrid and fully online courses.
Definitions
ÌÇÐÄvlog¾«Æ· maintains a glossary of terms specific to the institution. The ones in use for this document are defined below.
- eConestoga
- eConestoga is Conestoga’s learning management system (LMS) that serves as a centralized platform for accessing course materials, engaging in activities, submitting assessments, tracking grades, and facilitating communication and collaboration. eConestoga supports accessibility by providing content in digital formats that are consistent with AODA standards.
- eConestoga Essential Elements
- These elements represent the minimum required components that must be included on the LMS for all classroom enhanced courses.
Policy
- To support diverse forms of online course delivery, Conestoga will provide the following resources:
- Student and faculty support and orientation to existing and new technology;
- Sufficient resources and processes to acquaint instructional designers, faculty and students with new or updated technologies and methodologies in a timely fashion; and
- Regular opportunities for ongoing professional development for faculty and others responsible for course design, development and delivery.
- Technical infrastructure and support exists, including:
- A reliable, sufficient and scalable Learning Management System (LMS) to meet current and projected needs, including a reliable, robust and secure technical infrastructure with backup provision;
- 24 hour, 7 day per week access to LMS content;
- 24 hour, 7 day per week access to LMS technical support;
- Well-maintained, current and appropriate hardware, software and other technological resources.
- Risk assessment and planning that includes a disaster recovery process, back-up and storage technology protocols, and tracking using historical logs and documentation for exceptions, capacity usage, upgrades, workarounds, etc.
- Appropriate safeguards assure the authentication of student identity and integrity of student work, including:
- Security of students’ confidentiality and privacy associated with assessment, evaluation and dissemination of results;
- Secure destruction of personal data when it is no longer needed; and
- The verification of student identity for coursework and examinations, and for the control of examinations, including but not limited to security; time limits; the selection of proctors/invigilators and the requirements for, and weighting of, evaluations conducted face-to-face.
Relevant Legislation and Related Documents
Related documents
Acceptable Use of Technology Policy
Acceptable Use of Technology Procedure
Accessibility Policy for the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy
Student Rights and Responsibilities Procedure
Revision Log
| Date | Details |
|---|---|
| 2016-08-30 | Policy and Procedure Committee |
| 2016-09-21 | Academic Coordinating Committee |
| 2021-12-15 | Academic Forum |
| 2022-01-05 | Academic Coordinating Committee |