John Spence
CRC











Dr. Martin Brooks
NRC

Program Managers for the CRC/NRC Virtual Classroom

Working with authentic user communities in urban, rural and remote communities, Communications Research Centre (CRC) and the National Research Council (NRC) have pursued the goal of helping to create a future where, Canada can provide its citizens with universal access to global learning communities.

During this process we have identified the principles and technologies required to foster human engagement over broadband videoconferencing.

We have learned that excellent technology is necessary, however it is the human behaviour around this technology that facilitates the person-to-person engagement, thereby creating value.

We have also learned that progress can be measured along two distinct axes, migration and evolution:

• migration being the spread of the technology throughout our society; and
• evolution being the discovery or invention of new applications for the technology.

Our research is being carried out through three projects: LearnCanada, VirtualClassroom and MusicGrid. LearnCanada supported teacher professional development. VirtualClassroom brings students together in collaborative learning around global issues. MusicGrid enhances music education programs.

Approximately 200 broadband learning sessions with teachers and students at schools in Nunavut, northern and southern Quebec, Newfoundland, Alberta and Ontario have been held over the past few years, connecting groups at 2 - 10 sites, often with mentors from the National Arts Centre, the National Library, the Canadian Space Agency, and government.

We have learned much through our efforts and have provided what we believe is a valuable knowledge base for anyone charged with designing and deploying today's eLearning and eBusiness communications systems.