Ensuring Canada is Represented at International Standards Bodies that Govern Digital Education and Training Globally

Summary

The design and interoperability of most education and training tools and practices in the digital domain are governed by international standards such as the International Standards Organization (ISO). These standards are collectively developed by member nations and govern the design of tools, certification, qualifications, curriculum, privacy, identity management, labeling, accessibility, linguistic support and other critical matters affecting education and training globally. Canada has been at a disadvantage in these forums as, other than Human Resources and Skills Development Canada which governs training and skills development, there is no national body that governs education in Canada and can represent Canadian values and priorities at these important international decision–making bodies.

Consequently Canada is at risk of being indirectly governed by standards that do not represent the Canadian perspective on education and training. An entity called the e–Learning Standards Advisory Council of Canada (eLSACC) was formed with the support of provincial ministries of education to address this gap. eLSACC gathers consensus on Canadian priorities, helps to put forward standards that reflect these priorities, represents Canada in decisions regarding international standards, educates stakeholders in Canada, and helps to refine international standards based on feedback from implementations of the standards in Canada. To ensure that the Canadian perspective continues to be represented, eLSACC requires stable support.

Submission

The Challenge

The digital realm does not regard national boundaries. Canada's digital strategy must take into account the global context and include a plan regarding Canada's role in international collaboration and planning efforts. Critical decisions that affect Canada's digital economy are made at international consensus bodies, including international standards bodies governing information and communication technologies and practices such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). To influence, participate in the debate, and ensure that Canada's interests and values are reflected in these decisions, Canada must be represented at the table.

One of the most critical areas in the digital domain, which the consultation paper recognizes as a priority, is education, training and skills development. Canada is in a somewhat unique and awkward position in that, unlike other nations, education is under provincial jurisdiction and as such (with the exception of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada which represents skills development and training nationally) there is no national entity that can represent formal education in Canada at international standards forums. This means that Canada is at risk of implementing and being indirectly governed by standards that do not reflect the Canadian perspective. These standards govern critical issues such as design of learning and training tools, certification, qualifications, curriculum design, privacy, identity management, labeling, accessibility, linguistic support, instructional practices supported by digital tools, mobile learning and other important issues. One important consideration at risk if Canada is absent from the international table is Canadian values of inclusion and diversity in education and training.

Recommendation

To address this gap and critical need a national entity called e–Learning Standards Advisory Council of Canada (eLSACC) was formed with the support of provincial ministries of education.

The role of eLSACC is to:

• Consult with stakeholders in Canada regarding Canadian needs and positions with respect to issues and decisions to be addressed by international standards
• Represent this Canadian position at international standards bodies creating standards in the education and training domain
• Produce and promote the international adoption of standards that address Canadian needs and values at international standards bodies
• Increase awareness of international standards by Canadian stakeholders concerned with education, training, and policy in both the private and public sector
• Support test implementations of standards and thereby provide feedback to international standards bodies to refine the standards

eLSACC has fulfilled this role successfully for several years and has produced influential international standards that reflect important Canadian perspectives and values. These include standards on accessibility, metadata, mobile learning and e–Portfolios.

eLSACC plays an essential role in ensuring Canada's place on the international stage. eLSACC is at a critical juncture in that, given the distributed nature of the governance of formal education in Canada and recent economic challenges, there is a lack of stable and cohesive support for the effort. eLSACC requires stable support to achieve this important mission or Canada will not be represented at the international table when fundamental decisions are made that affect Canada's digital future.

Suggested URL: e–Learning Standards Advisory Council of Canada website