Thursday, June 20, 2013
BC Hockey announced at the 2013 Annual General Meeting (AGM) that the Hockey Canada E-Learning system for the Hockey Canada Safety Program, Hockey Canada Officiating Program and the National Coach Certification Program will be implemented for the 2013-2014 season.
The Hockey Canada e-learning initiative, dubbed Hockey University was three (3) years in the making from the initial concept to the final product in three (3) Hockey Canada courses. The move to e-learning is designed to assist the delivery of certification programs by providing:
- Increased convenience to BC Hockey volunteers by reducing course time as well as the opportunity to take the e-learning components on their own schedule with reduced travel to and from courses
- Standardization of materials assuring delivery in the same fashion to all delegates
- Ease of updating materials and adding components based on changes happening in the hockey world
- Increased ability for delegates to review material when they need it.
- Ease of tracking ones progress in the programs with the immediate updating of records
Although not all program components will be affected by the move to e-learning, the following will see a drastic delivery change:
Hockey Canada Safety Program
- Entire program is available via e-learning
- Contains 18 modules in the course varying in length from one (1) to 18 minutes
- Total time estimated to complete the course is four (4) hours
- Delegate records are updated immediately on the Hockey Canada registry upon completion
- All course resources are available on-line
Hockey Canada Officiating Program (Level 1’s and those new to officiating)
- “Blended” course design. Delegates must complete the e-learning course prior to attending the face to face clinic
- Total time estimated to complete the e-learning portion is three (3) hours
- Once delegates complete the e-learning portion, they receive access to register for a face to face clinic
- Total time estimated to complete the face to face portion is three (3) and a half hours
- A locally arranged ice session is mandatory for new officials
Hybrid NCCP Coach Certification (for coaches of non-carded / recreational teams)
- “Blended” course design. Delegates must complete the e-learning course prior to registering for the face to face clinic
- Total time estimated to complete the e-learning portion is four (4) and a half hours
- Once delegates complete the e-learning portion, they receive access to register for a face to face clinic
- Total time estimated to complete the face to face clinic is nine (9) hours, which includes the BC Hockey Checking course and ice time
- Completion gives coaches a Trained (Qualified) status which meets BC Hockey regulations for Hockey Canada non-carded teams
- Hybrid certification requires completion of a post task by March 31 of the given season.
It is expected that the e-learning courses will be available in early July, 2013. Course registration will be posted on the applicable program page of the BC Hockey website. In the coming years, other course components will also be addressed by e-learning.