In order to explore new models for e-learning and enhance teachers’ online teaching ability, in early 2008, the Open University of China(OUC,aka CCRTVU) and the Open University, UK (OUUK)jointly planned and developed the E-learning Educator Training programme.
Through this international cooperation, the OUC introduced new teaching concepts and made innovations in teaching, improving the teaching ability and professional quality of e-learning educators in China. The programme also serves as a beneficial exploration of the development of entry criteria for e-learning educators in China.
Since it launched in 2009, the E-learning Educator Training programme has opened 75 classes and trained 1,747 people, of whom 1,479 completed the courses, giving a pass rate of 85%. The learners come from 79 Radio and Television Universities (RTVUs) at provincial and prefecture city levels; two regular universities (the Peking University School of Web-based Learning and Zhongshan University); and 10 Training Centres for industry or enterprise, including China Construction Bank and Shenzhen Airlines.
Over the past five years, 39 distance education experts have been engaged in course introduction or acted as tutors. In order to help students adapt to the open, interactive and experiential learning methods adopted by the training courses,instruct students in how to change their learning concept, and engage in discussions more effectively, the teachers not only designed creative and interesting online activities,and replied to students’ posts in a timely fashion; they also used various social software to strengthen interaction and monitor the learning process once the students have logged in. Thanks to the efforts of the teachers, 100% students signed in to the website for study.
The training has been recognized by the learners for its advanced teaching philosophy, innovative teaching model, and responsible, supportive tutors. The learners feel that they will be able to put their learning experiences into practice in their teaching. In terms of professional skills and English ability, they are close to reaching an international standard. The participants spoke highly of the training programme and the programme gained a good word of mouth reputation. This has set up an effective brand for the programme and the programme has achieved wide acclaim.
Through student feedback and practical review, the training programme curriculum group found that the existing three courses (Learner Support, Tutoring Online, and Online Course Design) were not enough to meet the learning needs of the massive number of in-service e-learning educators. By combining the industry development and changes of market needs in recent years, the OUC developed seven of its own courses: The Application of New Technology in Education, Online Education Research, English for E-learning Educators, Online Education Management, Online Learning Tools, Professional Ethics, and Online Assessment. This formed the current system of 10 courses.
By Mu Xingyan from the OUC