1. The Learning portal Introducing Tanis Fink, Director, Seneca Libraries
Virginia Roy, Executive Director of Ontario Colleges Library Service
Anabella Arcaya, e-Learning and Academic Application Systems Analyst

2. Welcome to the Learning Portal
The Learning Portal is an initiative led by the 24 Ontario College Libraries in partnership with Ontario Colleges Library Service (OCLS) and several Ontario College Learning Centres
Built on the LibGuides platform and using software such as Articulate Storyline, Powtoon and Adobe Captivate
The Learning Portal envisions a space that includes:
Direct links to college libraries’ websites
Digital resources to support teaching and learning
Centralized virtual help
Learning objects, tutorials, videos, and other tools organized into 5 Academic Hubs:

3. Five Academic Hubs
Academic hubs provide support to courses in a secondary and supplemental fashion, and are a place for additional review, interactivity, and understanding, but do not replace course curriculum.
Research Hub: open learning resources on academic integrity, research, citation, and copyright
Study Skills Hub: open learning resources on time management, critical reading, note taking and study skills, test and exam taking, and online group work
Communications Hub: open learning resources on academic writing, business writing, grammar and essay construction
Math Hub: open learning resources covering mathematics skills
Digital Literacy Hub: open learning resources on how to create a range of digital media e.g. infographics, videos, digital stories and academic posters

4. What is the Learning Portal?
Two instances: (1.) stand alone and open access portal available to all distance education students and (2.) delivery of open learning resources via the OntarioLearn portal
Developed and guided by a steering committee and several working committees reporting to the HLLR
The Learning Portal is drawing on the best practices, knowledge and resources of library and learning centre staff from Ontario colleges
The Learning Portal is being built by a group of many people and libraries through in-kind contributions
18 College Libraries are involved (HLLR Executive role, Steering Committee, Working Groups, Support roles)

5. GOALS of the learning portal
Provide equitable and easy access to open learning resources and services to Ontario’s online college students
Provide a consistent, province-wide academic support platform for faculty to use to support their students
Offer an alternative online shared library service and support mechanism for those unable to obtain face-to-face library services
Meet accessibility requirements as outlined in the AODA legislation
Support our partnership with OntarioLearn and eCampus Ontario

6. Soft Launch of the learning portal– Fall 2016
The following services will be offered in the fall academic semester, such e.g.:
Links to the college library websites and to a shared streaming video collection
Soft launch of a series of open learning resources:
“How to do Research” in the research hub
Study Skills: time management, critical reading, note taking and study skills, test and exam taking and online group work- algonquincollege.libguides.com/studyskills
Communication: understanding the assignment/question, brainstorming and organizing ideas, and developing and testing a thesis statement
Digital Literacy: how to create a range of digital media like infographics, videos (live action and animated), presentations, e-pitches, building websites, digital storytelling and academic posters \
Link to Library and Learning Centre YouTube site- youtube.com/channel/UCF0wUCX- Zr5w7TsqxyHekHQ

7. Future Services

8. Keeping track of our progress
View the Learning Portal as it develops: 
The Learning Portal project site: