Getting Started:
Learning Plan
IMPORTANT NOTE (Nov 14, 2024): The Learning Plan template for 2024-25 has been updated to reflect a recent Ministry decision.
In addition to our standard Ancillary Fee process, the MCU added a directive in August 2024 that requires colleges to publish individual costs of textbooks and other learning materials by course beginning in Winter 2025. To ensure compliance, SLC will be including a link to the College Bookstore on each Learning plan as this will represent the most recent textbook cost by course. As a best practice, the MCU is encouraging Colleges to consider using Open Educational Resources (OER) as a more cost-effective alternative for learner.
The full Tuition and Ancillary Fee Policy can be found on the MCU website. Any questions regarding the policy or SLC Fee Protocol Process can be directed to Laura Naumann, Executive Director Enrolment Operations and Registrar.
As a result, the new Learning Plan template now includes two important links that provide more information to incoming students about the costs of textbooks. All faculty are required to use the updated LP Template for all courses starting in January 2025.
What is a Learning Plan?
The “Learning Plan” provides additional context to a “Course Outline” by including information on assessment details, alignment to course learning outcomes, and a detailed schedule that is relevant to the current delivery of the course.
Faculty should review the Course Outline and the Learning Plan document with students before starting their first lesson every semester to ensure the learning expectations are properly communicated to all students. These documents should also be made available in Blackboard by uploading them to the prescribed content area within the Bb course site.
This section provides Faculty with various resources to help complete their first draft of the Learning Plan.
Learning Plan 2024-25 Resources (Fall 2024, Winter 2025, & Spring/Summer 2025)
Faculty teaching a course during the 2024-25 academic year (Sept 2024 to August 2025) should review and use the following Learning Plan documents.
Please use the following Learning Plan template to draft your LP for each course and review the accompanying Learning Plan Guide for further details.
REMINDER: You must save a local copy of the Learning Plan XXXX Template prior to making edits as the word document will open in a browser.
Click on "File" and "Save As" to select a location on your personal device or OneDrive account to save a copy.
Teaching Spotlight
Richard Stronach, Professor, Early Childhood Education - Kingston
"I began using Modules to organize my course delivery when working with the School of Contemporary Teaching and Learning in the development of a hybrid course. I have found the practice of using Modules to structure content very helpful in planning, teaching, and evaluating content. I liken it to chapters or parts of a book. The Modules provide clear beginnings and endings of concepts which may have otherwise made the delivery seem fragmented and confusing."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find my Course Outline?
Log into SLC.me
Select on "File Shares" icon to access shared college documents
Select on "S Drive" from the list of folders
Select "CourseOutlines" and select the "Public" sub folder
All course outlines are categorized alphabetically and can be download onto a device. e.g., MATH110 under M
Faculty should ensure they find the most recent version of their Course Outline by reviewing the file name
e.g., MACH104W24K is the Course Outline used in the most recent Fall 2024 semester.
e.g., MACH104F21K is the Course Outline used in the previous Fall 2021 semester.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Course Outlines are not renewed every term so you might be required to use one with a coding from a previous term. Connect with your school office if you have any questions about the course outlines
What is the "Delivery Method" for my course?
Faculty should confirm the delivery method - In-Person, Hybrid, Hyflex, Online (asynchronous), or Online (synchronous) - with their Associate Dean before starting to draft their Learning Plan. Learn more about the delivery method by reading the descriptions on the SCTL website.
Can I change the "Delivery Method" of my course?
No - the college assigns delivery methods to each course and this information is communicated to students via their orientation.
e.g., faculty cannot change a in-person course to online for the semester
When should I prepare my Learning Plan?
Faculty should connect with their Associate Dean to discuss submission deadlines for their Learning Plans. All Learning Plan documents should be approved and signed by Associate Dean before the first class of the course.
Can I change the Assessments during an active semester?
Faculty should connect with their Associate if they wish to make any amendments to the weighting (e.g., change the weight from 25% to 10%) or assessment types in an active course (e.g., removing an entire assessment and replacing with another). These changes need to be approved by Associate Dean and communicated to students in a structured manner to support this transition.
Minor changes to the delivery schedule (e.g., guest lecture will now take place on Thursday instead of Monday) do not need approval.
Who do I ask for help with my Learning Plan?
Book a 1on1 consultation with an Educational Developer to review a draft Learning Plan and brainstorm some ideas for assessments.
Email the SCTL team with a question using the departmental email - SCTL@sl.on.ca
Development of NEW college approved Digital Course Design projects (hybrid & online) will be coordinated through a facilitated process by SCTL. Details of this service and the associated requirements will be provided to the individual faculty from their Associate Dean.
Teaching of CURRENT hybrid, hyflex, and online (sync/async) courses will be supported by the SCTL through orientation, coaching, and mentorship.