Got questions? We've got answers!
We're here to help you (for free!)
You know that without improving your skills, it’s hard to live independently — and almost impossible to make it in the workplace. We’re here to help.
e-Channel is a team of five educators providing free online courses to help you get the skills and knowledge you need to reach your goals.
Nothing! All courses are 100% FREE for Ontario adults 18 and older.
e-Channel is made up of a team of five:
ACE Distance is a grade 12 equivalency program that prepares adult learners to apply for and succeed in college, postsecondary programs and apprenticeship training.
Deaf Learn Now is an online literacy and basic skills program for deaf and hard of hearing adults who live in Ontario.
Good Learning Anywhere provides free online learning in a flexible environment to upgrade reading, writing, math, computer and other essential skills, with a focus on Indigenous content.
F@D (Formation à Distance) provides online training to help Francophones living in Ontario acquire or improve their writing, reading, oral communication, mathematics, technology/computers, learning management and essential skills.
The LearningHUB offers online skills upgrading courses to help adults improve their reading, writing, math and computer and other essential skills.
You must be able to:
- Use a computer
- Study in English, French or American Sign Language (ASL)
Some courses may have other requirements.
You need your own email address, access to the Internet and a reliable computer. If you don’t have a computer, you can use one for free at our Contact North | Contact Nord online learning centres across Ontario. Information about locations is at https://studyonline.ca/our-locations
You can also get free use of a laptop and Internet to study online. For more information, please contact e-channel@contactnorth.ca or studentinformationhotline@contactnorth.ca
You can take online courses live or anytime in everything from math, reading, writing and spelling to employment, using digital tools, preparing for the GED and much more.
ACE Distance
Sample ACE Distance courses for adult learners include:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Communications
- Self Management
- Apprenticeship Math
- Business Math
- Core Math
- Technical Math
- Computer Fundamentals
Deaf Learn Now
Sample Deaf Learn Now courses for deaf learners include:
- Deaf Culture
- Math
- Basic English
- Resume & Cover Letters
- Canadian Citizenship
- Food Certification
- G1 Driver’s Test Preparation
- WHMIS Certification
Good Learning Anywhere
Sample Good Learning Anywhere courses for adult learners include:
- Be Your Own Boss: Creating a Business Plan
- Tech4You: Excel and Google Spreadsheets
- Exploring Ontario First Nation Cultures: The Anishinaabe
- Exploring Indigenous Innovation and Technology
- “Living” Traditions: Connecting Indigenous Values, Food & Culture
- Understanding Truth and Reconciliation
F@D (Le Programme de formation à distance)
Sample F@D courses for Francophone learners include:
- Gestion des conflits (Conflict resolution)
- Découvrir mon ordinateur Windows (Discovering my Windows computer)
- Sécurité informatique (Web security)
- Mathematiques simple (Basic math)
- Résolution de problèmes mathématiques (Math problem solving)
- Compétences essentielles pour le travail (Essential job skills)
- Suite Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Mathématiques pour les métiers (Math for apprenticeships
The LearningHUB
Sample LearningHUB courses for adult learners include:
- Intro to Graphic Design with Canva
- Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word
- Employment Success Series
- GED Prep Series
- Math Boot Camp: Algebra 1
- Voting in a Municipal Election
You can call us at 1-877-999-9149 or find your closest online learning centre here.
Or reach out directly to the e-Channel partners:
For more information, please see our "How to Register for a Class" video available by clicking here.
Contact North | Contact Nord is a free, local bilingual service helping people in 1,500+ rural and remote Ontario communities access online programs and courses from colleges, universities and training providers without having to leave their communities.
- We help adult learners find the training that’s right for them, providing information on 330+ free, online literacy and basic skills courses
- Find a job or get a promotion
- Register in an apprenticeship program
- Prepare for a program at college or university
- Complete a secondary school diploma
- Achieve greater personal independence, satisfaction and development
- We provide an IT hotline for LBS students
- We are a not-for-profit corporation funded by the Government of Ontario
Contact North | Contact Nord helps the e-Channel providers reach underserved Ontarians in the communities where we work and gives them the tools to deliver their courses. We also provide an IT hotline for LBS students and practitioners.
We provide the following FREE local services, both in person and virtually from in-person locations (online learning centres) across Ontario:
- Information on online programs and courses from 24 public colleges, 25 public universities, 9 Indigenous institutes, 76 district school boards, 200 literacy and basic skills providers, and 20 skills development training providers
- Help to register, and information on financial aid
- In-person use of computers and Internet
- Technology support services
- IT technical hotline
- Use of web conferencing platforms
We know there are a lot of options out there, and we’re here to help you narrow things down. Check out this course guide for up-to-date information on 350+ free online upgrading and general skills and knowledge courses available across Ontario. It comes out three times a year: Fall, Winter and Spring/Summer. You can find the current guide here.
Contact North | Contact Nord allows LBS students free use of a laptop and the Internet to study online.
- Free of charge
- No deposit required
- Free technical support (no support for software applications)
To benefit from this service, the student must:
- Live in Ontario
- Use the laptop to take an online course
- Return the laptop in good working order at the end of the course
Still have questions? Call us on 1-877-999-9149 or email e-channel@contactnorth.ca for more information.
