Education and Early Childhood Development
Advanced Education and Skills
February 20, 2015

Supporting School Environments in Innovative Ways

Distance Learning Offers Unique Programming to Rural Students

Through an investment of more than $71 million over the past decade, the Provincial Government has continued to meet the educational needs of students in rural and remote communities through distance education. Today the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, and the Honourable Kevin O'Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills took part in a course demonstration at the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation (CDLI) in Gander.

"Our government wants every student in our province to reach their full potential and through the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation we are ensuring that students, regardless of location, have access to the courses they need for a rich and diverse educational experience. Our investments in distance learning have allowed teachers in specialty areas such as skilled trades, core French and music to reach students throughout the province. As a former educator, with a strong background in CDLI, I know firsthand how distance education can provide high quality programming to students in rural, remote and isolated regions, where smaller enrolment and the availability of specialist teachers might otherwise have limited their opportunities."
- The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

With 46 staff, including 29 eTeachers, CDLI's mandate includes the development and delivery of senior high school distance education programming to students attending high schools in rural, remote and isolated regions of the province, assisting with the development and delivery of online teacher professional development, and providing oversight of various K-12 technology integration initiatives.

"Through innovative teaching techniques, CDLI is delivering programming to our students that not only makes effective use of teaching resources, but prepares our young people for their next step, whether that is post-secondary education or entering the work force. Through Technology Education and Skilled Trades courses, CDLI is using a problem-based learning approach which reflects industry standards. Our government's investment in distance learning is helping individuals as they pursue training and move on to establish careers and raise a family in Newfoundland and Labrador."
- The Honourable Kevin O'Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills and MHA for Gander

Since 2004, due to Provincial Government investments, CDLI has grown from offering 25 courses in 93 high schools to offering over 40 courses in more than 110 high schools located in rural, remote and isolated regions of Newfoundland and Labrador. CDLI has also expanded to offer senior high course review material to assist all students with final or supplementary public exams and free online tutoring to senior high and intermediate students province-wide. For more information on CDLI, visit www.cdli.ca .

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government has invested more than $71 million in the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation (CDLI) since 2004.
• With 46 staff, including 29 eTeachers, CDLI's mandate includes the development and delivery of senior high school distance education programming to students attending high schools in rural, remote and isolated regions of the province, assisting with the development and delivery of online teacher professional development, and providing oversight of various K-12 technology integration initiatives.
• CDLI currently offers over 40 courses in more than 110 high schools in rural, remote and isolated regions of Newfoundland and Labrador, an increase from 25 courses in 93 schools in 2004.
• For more on what CDLI has to offer visit www.cdli.ca .

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Media contacts:

Jennifer Tulk Director of Communications Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 709-729-0048, 728-4104 jennifertulk@gov.nl.ca

Lisa Lawlor Director of Communications (Acting) Department of Advanced Education and Skills 709-729-6156, 631-8305 lisalawlor@gov.nl.ca

2015 02 20                              12:05 p.m.