CEMCA co-hosts international conference on perspectives and innovations in ODL.
The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) partnered with the Commonwealth of Learning’s #COL4D regional centre, the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia, to recently host the International Conference on Perspectives and Innovations in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) in Noida, #India. The primary aim of this hybrid conference was to convene educators, researchers, policymakers and industry experts internationally to facilitate a robust exchange of insights, best practices and cutting-edge innovations shaping the global landscape of #ODL in education and skills.
COL was represented virtually by Professor Peter Scott, President and CEO of COL, who shed light on COL’s endeavours in the evolving landscape of ODL. He emphasised the importance of empowering learners and extending quality support to facilitate meaningful learning experiences.
Dr Tony Mays, Director of Education COL, who also presented, commented on the role of ODL for open schooling:
“As the world’s largest open schooling organisation, registering around 500,000 learners in a typical year, NIOS and its affiliated State Open Schools provide a powerful example of how ODL methods can be used to open access at scale. The conference provided an exciting opportunity to reflect on lessons learned and to explore the new possibilities of emerging technologies.”
The event was structured around seven main themes: Perspectives and innovations in ODL, Policy frameworks and practices supporting ODL, Technology-enhanced learning in ODL, Pedagogical and administrative strategies in ODL, Inclusive access, equity and quality in ODL, Vocational education through ODL mode, and Collaboration and networking in ODL.
In total, the conference attracted over 250 participants, 50-plus speakers, and 100-plus researchers from five #Commonwealth nations.
Key takeaways from the discussions included the need for ODL institutions to:
gather evidence to demonstrate their effectiveness;
- continuously plan to achieve higher and SMART goals;
- be strengthened in preparation for the future and coordinate actions to achieve desired targets;
- generate a stronger and cohesive voice nationally and globally for collective and stronger advocacy;
- and finally, position themselves uniquely in the education and skilling arena.
#ODL
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10 May 2024. #COL4D President and CEO Professor Peter Scott visited the University of South Africa (UNISA) in Pretoria and delivered a seminar on Innovation in Education. This was followed by an interactive session entitled ‘UNISA’s Active Participation in Commonwealth of Learning Initiatives’, which included a follow-up discussion and insights from participants. The President remarked on the next steps for the Commonwealth of Learning and areas of connection with UNISA.
UNISA, among the oldest open universities in the Commonwealth, is a longstanding partner of COL, which conducted a trial audit of UNISA for quality assurance (2019).
Image caption (from left to right): Professor Mpine Makoe, the Executive Dean of the College of Education UNISA, Professor Scott, Professor Tenjiwe Meyiwa, Vice Principal, Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialisation UNISA and Professor Geesje van den Berg, Commonwealth of Learning Chair in ODL for Teacher Education.
#SouthAfrica #InnovationInEducation #Commonwealth #UNISA
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#COL4D has embarked on a pioneering partnership with the University of the South Pacific (USP), which has the potential to transform the educational landscape in the #PacificRegion.
Envision a scenario where students can transition into university life from their homes without any disruption. This is precisely what COL and USP have accomplished by incorporating the advanced GPT 3.5-turbo technology into the Semester Zero programme.
This innovative #AI-powered assistant, integrated within the #Moodle Learning Management System #LMS, effectively bridges the gap between secondary and tertiary education by fostering the development of essential literacy, numeracy, and digital skills.
Professor Pal Ahluwalia, the Vice Chancellor and President of USP, commended the programme's adaptation to digital tools, stating, "The integration of AI assistance into Semester Zero is a reflection of our commitment to leveraging innovative solutions to enhance educational accessibility and experience."
Dr Rajni Chand, the Director of #PACFOLD and Centre for Flexible Learning at the university, presented the initiative on a television breakfast show emphasising how "SEM ZERO-GPT has revolutionized the way students interact with our digital resources, making learning more accessible than ever before."
The results are impressive – 2,588 active participants were assisted, and over 619 queries related to course content and operational information were efficiently addressed. This underscores the immense potential for AI integration in educational settings across the Pacific.
COL experts highlighted the robust human-in-the-loop framework, ensuring that while AI enhances support responsiveness and efficiency, IT staff continue to play a pivotal role in refining interactions to improve learning outcomes. This effort is supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade #MFAT.
COL is leading the way in introducing cutting-edge technologies to education in small island Pacific countries, and this collaboration with USP is a testament to our commitment to innovation and accessibility.
#CommonwealthOfLearning #UniversityOfTheSouthPacific #SemesterZero #InnovationInEducation #EducationInPacific #Fiji #Nauru #SolomonIslands #Vanuatu #Tonga #Samoa #Tuvalu #Kiribati
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