In order to better understand the latest developments in international education technology and resource construction, the Distance Education and Open Study Research Institute, in conjunction with the Foreign Affairs Office, held the North America Education Symposium on September 3. The symposium featured five keynote speakers including Vice President Zhang Tiedao and Associate Professor Liu Yongquan, who presented the results of their research visit to three distance education institutions in Canada and the U.S. In addition to leaders and teachers from Beijing Open University, three experts including Feng Xiaoying, associate professor of Beijing Normal University’s Distance Education Research Centre, also attended the symposium.
At the meeting, Zhang Tiedao spoke about the results of the research visit to the three renowned international organization, industry association and distance teaching university in Canada and the U.S. The other four speakers addressed topics such as the current state of distance education resource construction in the Commonwealth of Learning, the newest research topics presented by the New Media Consortium in USA, and the function of international distance education in massive human resources training and professional ability promotion. Current focus points in international distance education development include participatory learning supported by the New Media Consortium’s 2013 summer conference, MOOCs, GLOOP, and wearable technology. A report on Phoenix University’s Austin Campus discussed its advanced distance education concept, reflected in its infrastructure, spatial layout, and image planning. This provides a reference point for the future development of Beijing Open University.
Associate Professor Feng Xiaoying praised the symposium and asked Vice President Zhang Tiedao to lead a delegation to the Distance Education Research Centre at Beijing Normal University to carry out future exchange and discussion activities.
By Beijing Open University