NationTalk – Thanks to collaborative, innovative funding from the province and education non-profits, member institutes of the Indigenous Institutes Consortium (IIC) will be developing and improving virtual learning in Ontario for Indigenous learners. Following a historic $50-million investment in the Virtual Learning Strategy (VLS), the IIC formed a new partnership with eCampusOntario to advance the virtual capacity of Indigenous Institutes in Ontario through micro-credentials.

The total culminating amount granted to Indigenous Institutes for micro-credential course development is $398,340. Indigenous Institutes Kenjgewin Teg and Six Nations Polytechnic are official members of eCampusOntario and Six Nations Polytechnic will lead in the development of these micro-credential courses, following two successful expressions of interest (EOI).

Intended to drive growth and advancement in virtual learning across the province’s post-secondary institutions, the $50-million investment from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) in partnership with eCampusOntario was announced on Dec. 11, 2020. Led by Six Nations Polytechnic, the IIC members will undertake the development of two new micro-credentials focused on Indigenous e-learning assessment strategies and Hybrid-flexible (Hyflex) design in Indigenous teaching and learning throughout 2021.