Office of Learning Technologies - OLT

A partner in building a culture of lifelong learning

In 1996 the federal government established the Office of Learning Technologies (OLT) as a partner in building a culture of lifelong learning.

The OLT works to raise awareness of the opportunities, challenges and benefits of technology-based learning and to act as a catalyst for innovation in the area of technology-enabled learning and skills development.

Your Partner in Lifelong Learning

• The Challenge of Lifelong Learning
• The Knowledge-Based Economy
• A Role for the Federal Government: the Office of Learning Technologies
• Program Objectives
• Key Activities
• Community Learning Networks Initiative

The Challenge of Lifelong Learning

Our traditional views on learning and work are constantly being challenged; people today face the reality of changing jobs several times in the course of their working lives. Adults everywhere are upgrading and expanding their skills - in the workplace, in colleges and universities, in community courses and in their homes. The key to this exciting world is to understand that learning - be it upgrading work skills, preparing for a new career, developing a hobby or enriching our personal lives - is a lifelong process. Learning technologies help Canadians meet this challenge.

The Knowledge-Based Economy

Learning technologies can help Canadians adapt to the new knowledge-based economy. People coast to coast are already using these technologies to access learning opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have. Computer-assisted training and telelearning are just some examples of how this can be done; other uses in this cutting-edge field are constantly emerging.

The challenge for today's lifelong learners lies in learning the potential of these technologies - what they offer, how and where they can be applied and how best to take advantage of them.

Canadian businesses also have a role to play: they must carve out a lasting niche as leaders and innovators in the application of technology to learning - and use those very tools to develop and maintain a skilled workforce in a rapidly-changing global marketplace.

A Role for the Federal Government

As a partner in building a culture of lifelong learning, the federal government established the Office of Learning Technologies (OLT) within Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC). OLT's job is to raise awareness about the opportunities, challenges and benefits of technology-based learning and act as a catalyst for innovation in the area of learning and skills development enabled by technologies.

The OLT vision:

"The Office of Learning Technologies promotes innovative lifelong learning opportunities for Canadians".

The OLT mission:

"The Office of Learning Technologies engages partners and sponsors using technology to enhance learning and skills development, allowing Canadians to participate fully in the workplace and their community".

Program Objectives

• To enable Canadians to develop new knowledge and improve skills through the use of e-learning;

• Reduce barriers to the use of learning technologies, thus contributing to reducing the Digital Divide.

Key Activities

• Promote and support the development and evolution of Community Learning Networks (CLNs) which enable lifelong learning and community capacity-building through the use of network technologies.

• Help develop policies and strategies to guide the evolution and application of learning technologies in ways that best meet the lifelong learning needs of Canadians.

• Support and monitor research and assessment related to the use of learning technologies and widely distribute the results.

• Facilitate the sharing of information on Canadian initiatives, key players and significant developments in the application of learning technologies.

Community Learning Networks Initiative (CLN):

The Community Learning Networks Initiative (CLN) was launched in late 1998. CLN supports pilot projects that demonstrate innovative and sustainable uses of existing network technologies to enhance learning and skills development opportunities in Canadian communities.

For additional information, please visit the  Office of Learning Technologies' Web pages.

• General Information
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Related Links
• Publications
• Call for Proposals