CDLI offering opportunities beyond the classroom

Education Minister John Ottenheimer says the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation (CDLI) is enhancing educational experiences and opportunities for students throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

On March 8, for example, 24 students from 11 different schools - all enrolled in high school French programming through distance education - will travel to Quebec to take part in an intensive educational experience in the language and culture they are studying on-line.

The students are taking one of three CDLI French courses (French 2200, 3200 or 3201) and attend schools in Port Saunders, Arnold's Cove, Mary's Harbour, St. Lunaire, Bonavista, Terrenceville, Gillams, La Scie, Lethbridge, St. Lawrence and King's Point.

"This particular ‘class trip' to Quebec is unique in that the participating students come from schools located throughout the province," Minister Ottenheimer said. "These three separate on-line class groups have been taking instruction together, but this is the first opportunity for many to actually meet their classmates face-to-face."

CDLI, a national award-winning distance education model, offers 25 high school courses to students at 95 sites throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Further expansion is planned to enable more students in rural and remote regions to access a broad range of programming and to access teachers who have specific subject-area expertise.

"Some regions of the province experience difficulty recruiting teachers with specialties in math, physics and French," the Minister said. "Through CDLI, it is now possible to offer more specialized courses previously available only to students in larger schools. This initiative provides access and opportunity to the highest quality of education in every community, regardless of size. It also ensures post-secondary options remain wide open for every student in Newfoundland and Labrador."

Students taking part in the Quebec experience will participate in extensive language workshops, exercises in oral expression, along with musical, cultural and recreational activities - all conducted in French.

CDLI e-teacher Glenn Cake, who conducts his online French class from St. John's, will join his colleague Valerie Hoskins, a CDLI teacher from St. Alban's, in sharing this exciting opportunity with their students.

"It is our goal that the students will experience a positive immersion experience in French and hopefully, it will increase their awareness of French culture and their desire to continue the study of foreign language and culture beyond the high school level," said Mr. Cake. "CDLI has opened up a world of opportunity for these students."

David Rumbolt, a Level III student from Mary's Harbour, Labrador, has been taking French courses through CDLI for the past three years. "CDLI has provided me and others like me an opportunity to undertake and excel at a wide range of courses in all aspects of education. By providing courses that I would not be able to take otherwise, the Center for Distance Learning and Innovation has given me the opportunity to choose what I want to study."

This French class trip is the latest development in a series of CDLI firsts. New courses are now being developed, including art and design, religion and science. These initiatives are part of government's efforts to expand opportunities for students through e-learning.

More information regarding the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation can be found at: //www.cdli.ca.

Media contact: Lynn Salter, Communications, (709) 729-0048

2004 03 04                                         9:05 a.m.