$5 million awarded for new media from TVO Lifelong Learning Challenge Fund

TVOntario’s Lifelong Learning Fund has awarded $5 million to eight distance learning projects in the last week, but officials at the public broadcaster say their role goes beyond that of investor. Blair Dimock, who has been the interim head of TVO’s new media division since it was formed a year ago, says the broadcaster will provide project management, instructional design or technology expertise to each of the Internet projects. It will also help market the programs using a "significant" portion of the fund, which was established in July 2000 by Ontario’s Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities in July 2000. Lifelong Learning Challenge Fund winners• Online degree completion for registered nurses: LLCF investment: $508,000, partners: $762,000. In conjunction with the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at Brock University with OMNI Media Productions Ltd and Tangent Scientific Supply Inc. • E-commerce for small business: LLCF: $400,000, partners: $484,328. With Michael G. DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University, Bell Canada and IBM Canada. • Electronic engine control skills training: LLCF: $875,000, partners: $943,500. With School of Transportation at Centennial College with The Biographix Corp. • "In Good Hands": LLCF: $400,000, partners: $499,771 with Thunder Bay District Health Unit, Contact North/Contact Nord, Norlink Communications and Consulting and Mr. Submarine Ltd. • Online electronics training: LLCF: $400,000, partners: $712,500 with George Brown College, Interactive Image Technologies/Electronics Workbench. • Online welding training: LLCF: $255,000, partners: $322,000 with Collège Boréal and Air Liquide Canada • Blueprint reading for construction tradespersons: LLCF: $403,200, partners: $552,125 with Civil/Architectural Division at Fanshwawe College, Labourers International Union of North Ameirca Canadian Tri-Fund, LIUNA Training Centres, Blue Circle Inc., Duffering Construction Inc, Soncin Constructions Inc. • Workplace skills for the automotive parts manufacturing industry: LLCF: $700,000, partners: $700,000 with Georgian College and Random Access Multimedia Inc.The $5 million in public funding will be matched by $4.9 million from the successful applicants. A selection committee evaluated a total of 34 applications, looking at which best used the Internet over a different medium such as print or traditional video. The Lifelong Learning Challenge Fund is one of the highest profile initiatives undertaken by the new media division. Two years ago the Ontario government began transforming TVO into a provider of distance education using various media. Earlier this year, the public broadcaster began negotiations to absorb the Independent Learning Centre (CNM, Jan. 24/01), which will have three years of stable funding when the merger is complete. Dimock says the success of the fund will be evaluated this fall in consultation with government, which could result in funding for a second round. "We set aside a significant amount of money to evaluate and market and promote the program that is being developed. We’re hoping that by this time next year we’ll have enough evidence of success that we’ll be able to have a meaningful discussion with the government about whether we should have another round or not." Dimock says the division has several other initiatives set to launch, including a re-built Eureka service on May 1, designed to provide online homework help for grade 7 students tied to the new math curriculum. This fall, the division will unveil new post-secondary services aimed at adults, and affiliated with TVO series such as Imprint and Saturday Night at the Movies.

$5 million awarded for new media from TVO Lifelong Learning Challenge Fund

Broadcast | April 5, 2001

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