Abstract
In a region of geographically scattered, small island states, developing quality-enhanced learning materials across the hugely diverse, predominantly ocean-based learning and teaching environments, continues to present new challenges. This paper explores the potentially transformative nature of Open Educational Resources (OER) in a regional university. Against the backdrop of the bold, new Strategic Plan 2013–2018, University of the South Pacific (USP) educators are faced with transforming learning systems, practices and pedagogy to achieve excellent standards in learning teaching and knowledge creation. Selected case studies are provided to support the discussions for the application and development of OER at USP and the integration of Open Learning Design (OLD) principles and practices. In the drive to enhance the quality of learning and teaching through integrating OER and OLD, research provides the most compelling results for informing practice to achieve effective and sustainable responses to the achievement of the Strategic Plan objectives.
Resumen
En una región de pequeños estados insulares geográficamente diseminados, el desarrollo de materiales didácticos de calidad en entornos de aprendizaje y enseñanza de alcance oceánico y extraordinariamente diversos no deja de plantear nuevos retos. Este artículo explora la naturaleza potencialmente transformadora de los recursos educativos abiertos (REA) en una universidad regional. En el contexto del nuevo y audaz Plan Estratégico 2013–2018 (Strategic Plan 2013–2018), los educadores de la Universidad del Pacífico Sur (USP) se enfrentan a la transformación de sistemas, prácticas y pedagogías de aprendizaje para alcanzar niveles de excelencia en la enseñanza del aprendizaje y la creación de conocimiento. Una selección de estudios de casos ilustra las discusiones en torno a la aplicación y el desarrollo de REA en la USP y la integración de los principios y las prácticas del diseño de aprendizaje abierto (DAA). En la campaña de mejora de la calidad del aprendizaje y la enseñanza a través de la integración de REA y DAA, la investigación arroja resultados convincentes para orientar la práctica, con el fin de obtener respuestas efectivas y sostenibles a la consecución de los objetivos del Plan Estratégico.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.References
Bates, T. (2013, October 22). Improving productivity in online learning [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.tonybates.ca/2013/10/22/improving-productivity-in-online-learning-can-we-scale-the-learning-that-matters-most/
Belawati, T. (2005). The Impact of Online Tutorials on Course Completion Rates and Student Achievement. Learning, Media and Technology, 30(1), 15–25. doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13581650500075520
Biggs, J. (2003). Teaching for quality learning at university. Buckingham: Open University Press/Society for research into higher education. (Second edition).
Chandra, R. (2012). Leveraging ICTs for Development: USPNet to Knowledge Hub. Presentation at the PICISOC-PACINET 2012 ICT Conference, 22–26 November 2012. Fiji: USP ICT Centre. Retrieved from http://www.picisoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/presentation-for-PacINET-FINAL.pdf
Chandra, R., Hazelman, V., & Koroivulaono, T. (2011). Leveraging technology for tertiary education in the South Pacific. In M. Martin & M. Bray (Eds.), Tertiary education in small states: Planning in the context of globalization (pp. 215–232). Paris: UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP).
Commonwealth of Learning (n. d.). Open Educational Resources. Retrieved from http://www.col.org/resources/crsMaterials/Pages/OCW-OER.aspx
Conole, G. (2013). Designing for learning in an open world. New York: Springer. doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8517-0
Curtis, D. D., & Lawson, M. J. (2001). Exploring collaborative online learning. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 5(1), 21–34.
dela Pena-Bandalaria, M. (2007). Impact of ICTs on Open and Distance Learning in a developing country setting: the Philippine experience. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 8(1). Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/334/792
Dewey, J. (1938). Experience and education. New York: Collier Books.
Gulati, S. (2008). Technology-enhanced learning in developing nations: A review. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 9(1).
IELTS (n. d.) Retrieved from http://www.ielts.org/
Johnson, S. D., & Aragon, S. R. (2003). An instructional strategy framework for online learning environments. New directions for adult and continuing education, 2003(100), 31–43. doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ace.117
Kamau, J. W. (2001). Developing Course Materials: A context of technology constraints. In E. J. Burge & M. Haughey (Eds.), Using Learning Technologies: International perspectives on practice (pp. 48–60). London: Routledge-Falmer.
Kehrwald, B. (2008). Understanding social presence in text-based online learning environments. Distance Education, 29(1), 89–106. doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01587910802004860
Macdonald, J. (2001). Exploiting online interactivity to enhance assignment development and feedback in distance education. Open Learning, 16(2), 179–189. doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02680510120050334
Malik, N. A., Belawati, T., & Baggaley, J. (2005). Framework of collaborative research and development on distance learning technology for Asia. Paper presented at the 19th Annual Conference, Association of Asian Open Universities, Jakarta, Indonesia. Retrieved from http://www.pandora-asia.org/downloads/05-AAOU_MalBelBag.pdf
Mayers, T., & de Freitas, S. (2007). Technology-enhanced learning: the role of theory. In H. Beetham & R. Sharpe (Eds.), Rethinking Pedagogy for a Digital Age (pp. 17–30). New York: Routledge.
Monteiro, C. A., Moura, E. C., Conde, W. L., & Popkin, B. M. (2004). Socioeconomic status and obesity in adult populations of developing countries: a review. Bulletin of the World Health Organisation, 82(12), 940–946.
Moore, M. G., & Kearsley, G. (2011). Distance education: A systems view of online learning. Retrieved from http://cengagebrain.com
Nagel, L., & Kotzé, T. G. (2010). Supersizing e-learning: What a Col survey reveals about teaching presence in a large online class. The Internet and Higher Education, 13(1), 45–51. doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2009.12.001
Palloff, R. M., & Pratt, K. (1999). Building learning communities in cyberspace. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
Richardson, J. C., & Swan, K. (2003). Examining social presence in online courses in relation to students’ perceived learning and satisfaction. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 7(1), 68–88.
Spector, J. M., & Anderson, T. M. (Eds.). (2000). Integrated and holistic perspectives on learning, instruction and technology: Understanding complexity. Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Strategic Plan 2013–2018 (n. d.). Retrieved from https://www.usp.ac.f/index.php?id=12556
Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in Society. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Walton, A., Weller, M., & Conole, G. (2008). SocialLearn-Widening Participation and Sustainability of Higher Education. Distance and E-Learning in Transition, 691–700.
Whelan, R., & Bhartu, D. (2007). Factors in the deployment of a learning management system at the University of the South Pacific. Proceedings Ascilite Singapore, 1053–1062. Retrieved from http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/singapore07/procs/whelan.pdf
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits use, duplication, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.
About this article
Cite this article
Koroivulaono, T. Open Educational Resources: a regional university’s journey. Int J Educ Technol High Educ 11, 91–107 (2014). https://doi.org/10.7238/rusc.v11i3.2121
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7238/rusc.v11i3.2121