Digital Skills Courses
Registration for our first Digital Skills Course opens March 17, 2025 for members
We are happy to share that the OMA Digital Skills Courses are returning in 2025-2026!
About the courses:
These courses will deliver low-cost online digital skills training to Ontario museum workers without requiring them to travel. These courses will be applicable to all working in the museum sector, but learning outcomes and topics to be covered are particularly designed to address the needs of those from smaller or rural museums who seek professional development in fundamental digital literacy and practice.
Each course will be delivered primarily asynchronously, and will involve up to 10 hours per week of independent study. Any synchronous components of the courses, such as Zoom meetings, will be non-mandatory and will be recorded where applicable. Assignments will be graded by the Course Director and will be focused on developing applicable digital skills related to the course content.
The three online courses to be delivered in 2025-2026 are:
- Museum Digital Strategy and Transformation (May 12 – July 7, 2025)
- Digital Learning: Inside, Outside & Way Beyond the Museum (August 11 – September 26, 2025)
- Reaching, Engaging, and Inspiring Online Audiences (TBC early 2026)
To Register for the courses :
- Individual OMA members and designates of OMA institutional member organizations will be able to register for the courses on the OMA’s member portal, Member365, after the listed registration dates. Click the ‘Register Here’ buttons under available courses to be taken to the registration form.
- If you have questions about your membership status or login credentials, or need to renew your OMA membership, please contact the OMA at [email protected] or call the OMA office at 1-866-662-8672.
- All course registration is first-come, first-serve. Each course will have capacity for 30 participants.
“This course was extremely helpful in not only working towards building digital strategy, but also learning about resources I could begin implementing on my site immediately. It has overall changed the perspective in which I will execute my work. I would recommend this course and Professor Ludden to anyone who wishes to improve their Museum’s digital landscape.” (2024 Participant)
Schedule
What’s Upcoming
Online
Digital Skills Courses: Museum Digital Strategy and Transformation
May 12 – July 7, 2025
Registration opens March 17, 2025
Instructor: Jack Ludden, Digital Experience & Innovation Strategist, Balboa Park Online Collaborative
A digital strategy is critical for ensuring a museum’s sustained relevance and success in today’s world. It leverages technology to support the museum’s mission more fully, connect with new audiences, and aid in planning for effective use of resources. This course is designed to equip museum professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the components of strategic planning and consider appropriate digital tools for transformative impact. Through a combination of discussions, readings, and activities, participants will be guided through the process of developing an actionable digital strategy.
Core topics include:
- Understanding the principles of strategic planning
- Determining the scope of digital transformation (SWOT analysis)
- Integrating the needs of target audiences (online and onsite)
- Incorporating accessible & inclusive practices
- Producing an actionable & sustainable digital strategy
More about the Course Director
Jack Ludden is a cultural heritage expert who builds open and collaborative work environments by bridging experts from different fields of interest. Jack has been a leader in the cultural heritage community for more than 30 years as a digital advocate, communications specialist, and a user-experience expert at organizations such as the Getty, Disney, and the Shoah Visual History Foundation. Currently, Jack is working with the dynamic and talented team at Balboa Park Online Collaborative (BPOC) as a Digital Experience and Innovation Strategist. He is also the Collections Management Director for the Sandor Family Collection and an Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University. Jack is an active board member of The Book Truck and the Northwestern Alumni Association.
Price: Member: $175+ HST | Non-Member: $245+ HST
Online
Digital Skills Course: Digital Learning: Inside, Outside & Way Beyond the Museum
August 11 – September 26, 2025
Registration opens June 10, 2025
Instructor: Christina Sydorko, Education Programs Coordinator, Oil Museum of Canada NHS
Focusing on the mission-critical role of education programming, this course explores a diverse array of digital techniques, tools, and resources to create and support effective learning experiences. Whether fostering collaborations with schools or inviting the local community to share their stories, digital tools can reach a broad audience and foster innovative and inclusive learning environments. Each week students will engage in discussion, review case studies, and participate in activities that will build towards the creation of a plan for a digital educational experience, tailored to a specific audience and learning outcomes.
Core topics include:
- Planning for a range of digital learning experiences suitable for onsite and online visitors
- Exploring the educational potential of popular online media platforms (podcasts, YouTube, TikTok, etc…)
- Understanding how digital experiences can support accessible & inclusive learning goals
- Enhancing learning experiences for individuals and groups
More about the Course Director
Christina Sydorko is a dedicated educator who strives to create exciting and informative educational experiences. She has an Honour’s Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Education from Windsor University with subject specialization in History and Geography. Christina spent 15 years teaching in the Lambton Kent District School Board before moving to be the full time Educational Programs Coordinator at the Oil Museum of Canada, National Historic Site in 2017. She has spearheaded the creation of the Travelling Trunks educational kits and virtual education programs at the museum with a focus on fact based education. Christina is also the recipient of the 2021 Award of Excellence in Programming from the Ontario Museum Association for virtual programs and the Lambton County Innovation Award for 2021. Christina hopes to encourage a new generation of young people to find the wonder and exciting opportunities in the physical world around them.
Price: Member: $175+ HST | Non-Member: $245+ HST
Online
Digital Skills Course: Reaching, Engaging, and Inspiring Online Audiences
Early 2026
Registration opens November 2025
Instructor: Julie McNevin, Museum Professional and Educator
How well does your website, social media program, or other online programs serve your public? What might improve your museum’s impact in the online world? Learn how to propose accessible methods to assess current engagement levels and outline effective solutions for existing and new online programs, including methods of generating revenue. Each week students will read articles, participate in hands-on and collaborative learning activities, and analyze case studies. Students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the content in the final assignment: creating a plan to improve the impact of an online public program at their own museum..
Core topics include:
- Observing online engagement
- Understanding the needs & expectations of online audiences
- Identifying effective experiences for different platforms
- Exploring accessible & inclusive practices
- Planning for online revenue generation
More about the Course Director
Julie McNevin (she/her) has nearly 20 years of experience as a museum professional and educator. Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Religion & Culture from Wilfrid Laurier University, a Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University, and is a certified member of the Ontario College of Teachers. Additionally, Julie is preparing to begin a Master of Education program in September of 2024.
Julie’s path to a career in museums began while working as a Summer Student at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons and Discovery Harbour (Huronia Historical Parks). She returned to HHP in September of 2023, to work in Programming and Marketing and Visitor Services. For the past 10 years, Julie worked as the Education Programmer at the Museum of Dufferin, where she played a pivotal role in updating and introducing new technologies and digital services across departments. Her work has offered the opportunity to work with a range of platforms and audiences.
Julie enjoys channeling her creativity, ingenuity, and resourcefulness to experiment with using technology to develop engaging and enriching learning opportunities. This has recently extended into running her small crafting side-business. Julie is excited to be able to bring her experiences with integrating technology and creating audience-centered online experiences to the course.
Price: Member: $175+ HST | Non-Member: $245+ HST
Resources
The OMA’s Digital Skills courses were developed as part of the Small Bytes project, funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Museum Assistance Program – Digital Access to Heritage stream. Check out our Small Bytes resources on our Resource Hub.
Note
These courses are separate from the Ontario Museum Association’s Certificate in Museum Studies program and will not count towards completion of the Certificate.
Cost
Member registration fees for each course are $175+ HST. Members must be logged in to the OMA website on an institutional or individual OMA membership account in good standing to register as members.
The non-member fee for registration is $245 +HST, which includes a one-year Colleague membership to the OMA.