THUNDER BAY, Ontario, June 6, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

Contact North | Contact Nord, Ontario's distance education and training network has released a new report describing how public colleges and universities across the country are providing extensive and innovative online learning opportunities for their students and positioning Canada as a global online learning hub.

Online Learning in Canada 2012: At a Tipping Point, is the first in what will become a regularly updated check-up on the state of online learning in this country. With the report, Contact North | Contact Nord hopes to provide a national perspective on the latest developments in online learning in each of the provinces and territories -- something that hasn't been done in more than a decade.

"The release of Online Learning in Canada marks the first time in many years that an organization has published such a cross country check-up on online learning," said Maxim Jean-Louis, President -- Chief Executive Officer, Contact North | Contact Nord. "We invite colleagues across Canada to contribute to this 'work-in-progress' which we hope will stimulate collaboration and sharing in the field of online learning amongst provinces and territories across Canada, with the ultimate goal of providing a higher quality learning experience for all students."

The report estimates that there are currently between 875,000 and 950,000 post-secondary student registrations in online courses in Canada and that number is growing. According to the report, Canada's strength in online education lies in:

"This cross country check-up further reminds us that there remains a need for a Canada-wide strategy for online learning," noted Dr. Tony Bates, a Canadian and international expert in online learning. "Such a strategy could position Canada to successfully compete with other international jurisdictions and Online Learning in Canada provides us with a good background for the discussion."

The full Online Learning in Canada 2012: At a Tipping Point report can be downloaded on the Contact North Contact Nord website. Contact North Contact Nord is inviting post-secondary institutions in other provinces and territories to visit its website to share updates and information on new developments in online learning that can be included in future editions.

For more information:

CONTACT NORTH | CONTACT NORD

Louise Gaudrault Marketing & Communications Coordinator Tel: 1-855-345-5035 (toll-free) louise@contactnorth.ca http://www.contactnorth.ca

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New Report From Contact North Shows Online Learning is Thriving Across Canada