1. What is The Quebec Learners’ Network?

A not-for-profit, community-oriented, human resources network that encourages community development and lifelong learning through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). We work only in partnership with existing community groups that would like to incorporate ICTs into their own operations and outreach activities by offering them our expertise, services and community networking solutions. We also help new or planned community-based projects get off the ground by offering advice and support in the use of ICTs.

2. Who is the QLN?

An association of individuals, each with knowledge experience in various areas of community development, lifelong learning and ICTs. Working together, and often using information and communication technologies to do so, these individuals form a networked team that can manage and carry out a wide variety of tasks and projects.

3. What are the specific ways in which The Quebec Learners’ Network helps community groups?

• Deliver learning technology demonstrations and workshops in support of pilot projects to generate community interest.
• Train teachers and community facilitators in the use of ICTs for projects that serve the interests of local communities.
• Partner with educational institutions, community organizations, and other public service providers in the design, development and delivery of community-based learning opportunities.
• Customize and maintain community web portals for specific communities of interest in support of their projects and organizational objectives.
• Develop on-line learning modules for specific topics of interest and need in the community.

4. What types of projects does the QLN support?

Projects that involve outreach to rural and remote communities within Quebec through the use of information and communication technologies. This outreach may be to provide a community agency’s services to a wider audience, to connect groups with similar goals and interests, or to develop specific lifelong learning activities through technology. See Partnerships and Focus Areas.

5. I have an idea for a community project. How can the QLN help?

If your idea involves community connectivity, we can:

• help you to plan, develop, and implement your project,
• offer technical advice and support,
• work with you, in a partnership arrangement, to help you find new ways to deliver your services.
• provide the members of your project with training in the use of information and communication technologies.

6. Does the QLN deliver or develop courses for distance education?

The QLN always works in partnership with other community organizations, and this includes distance education groups. For example, we’ve provided training and workshops in the use of distance education technologies to Distance Education and Community Network (DECN), which now develops and delivers secondary level credit courses, as well as other services, to communities served by the Central Quebec, Eastern Shores and Western Quebec School Boards. If your group needs this sort of training, we can help!

7. I belong to a group of people that maintains a local Community Access Program (CAP) site. How can we benefit from a partnership with the QLN?

CAP sites exist to provide communities with access to the Internet—but access to what? The QLN can help to facilitate the delivery of the important services of particular groups to members of the community who would otherwise have difficulty obtaining those services. In this way, the QLN can help CAP sites to become “community lifelong learning centres.” In turn, these centres can attract potential funding agencies such as The Office of Learning Technologies/HRDC, which is committed to “connecting Canadians” through Community Learning Networks.

8. What is a Community Learning Network?

A community learning network is a group of individuals or organizations who share interests, information, and learning experience through communication technologies. If you’d like to learn more about CLNs, go to Office of Learning Technologies web site.

9. Does the QLN charge a fee for its services?

The QLN pays the members of our working group on a contract basis, and incurs costs associated with the provision of services to other community groups. In order to cover these expenses, we generate funds through various means, which can include the charging of fees for our services. However,

• partnerships are usually developed around the sharing of funding resources obtained by both the QLN and the partnering organizations for the purpose of joint activities.
• fees for our consulting services, networking solutions and technical support are calculated on a sliding scale, according to a group’s financial resources.
• training is negotiated as in both the scenarios described above. However, informal training events that demonstrate sufficient community outreach can be provided for free. Contact us for more details.

10. Does my community project have to be technology-oriented?

We respect a very broad definition of technology, and are open to many innovative approaches that combine its use with other activities. Technology might only need to play a moderate role in the community project you have in mind.

11. Does that mean only high-tech?

The project may make use of a fairly traditional technology in a new way. In every case, our goal is to support the provision of services and learning opportunities to communities that would otherwise have difficulty accessing them.

Do you have more questions? Contact Peter MacGibbon at peter@qln.ca.