Nipissing receives provincial funding for innovative virtual learning projects

Nipissing University has received nearly $500,000 in funding from the province as part of Ontario’s Virtual Learning Strategy (VLS), managed through eCampus Ontario. The funding, announced earlier today by MPP Vic Fedeli, will support four innovative projects in virtual teaching and learning led by Nipissing.

“Virtual learning has always been a key component of our programming at Nipissing University, however this past year has further elevated the importance of increasing our capacity in this area,” said Cheryl Sutton, President and Vice-Chancellor (Interim). “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to help drive growth and innovation in virtual learning across Ontario’s post-secondary sector and look forward to seeing the outcomes of these projects in action.”

Nipissing University will lead four innovative projects made possible through this funding and serve as partners on an additional 12 projects with other institutions across the province.

“The projects supported through this funding will support outstanding innovation in virtual learning across a wide-variety of program areas at Nipissing and increase our capacity in this area," said Sutton. "The funded projects will also enable us to share our expertise in virtual learning with others while gaining valuable insights from partners, large and small.”

The four projects led by Nipissing faculty and staff include:

• Creating an Online Certificate Program in Digital Humanities, led by Dr. Mark Wachowiak ($149,729)
• Digital Health Narratives, led by Dr. Veronika Williams and Dr. Charles Anyinam ($39,900)
• Understanding Workplace Innovation, led by Dr. Anahita Baregheh ($34,966)
• Targeted Digital Capacity Supports for Nipissing University, led by Dr. Pat Maher and Dr. Sarah Driessens ($213,926)

Nipissing University is a partner on the following 12 projects, for a further $2 million:

• Uncovering the hidden curriculum: Creating a suite of skills-based resources to support learners and promote equitable education, led at Western University ($470,520)
• Learning to be Human Together, led at OCAD University ($200,000)
• Embedding Virtual Simulation, VR & AR in Education: An Educator's Toolkit, led at Centennial College ($194,600)
• Ontario Extend for Students: Creating Liberated Learners, led at Trent University ($199,500)
• Hear Our Voices: Holocaust Survivors Share their Stories of Trauma and Hate, led at Carleton University ($86,263)
• Universal Design for Learning: An Online Post-Secondary Educator Micro-credential for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility, led at University of Windsor ($199,946)
• Designing & Developing High-Quality Student- Centred Online/Hybrid Learning Experiences, led at Seneca College ($199,100)
• International Educated Nurse-Centered Virtual Serious Game, led at York University ($77,396)
• CanadARThistories, led at Queen’s University ($88,500)
• OER for Use of Virtual Gaming Simulation in Nursing Curriculum, led at Centennial College ($40,000)
• Humanizing Online Teaching and Learning: Instructor Guide, Student- Focused Resource Packs, and Exemplar Teaching Activities, led at University of Toronto ($61,276)
• Creating quality technology-enhanced learner experiences; Open Course development & Pilot, led at Lakehead University ($171,000)

The province is investing over $70 million to implement the Virtual Learning Strategy which aims to drive growth and advancement in virtual learning across the province’s post-secondary institutions. To learn more about the VLS, visit https://vls.ecampusontario.ca.