Tuesday, May 8th, 2007
TDLC Instructional Designer Visits USQ
Opportunities for Collaboration Discussed with E-Learning Experts
Jiping Zhang, TDLC Senior Distance Learning Specialist, completed a 2-week visit to the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Toowoomba Campus, where she worked with experts on campus to explore collaboration opportunities on e-Learning for the GDLN.
“USQ has a lot of learning courses in various topics, and is strong in distance and e-Learning. Through collaboration, we can learn and take advantage of their expertise, and benefit from their learning programs” said Jiping.
The visit follows a historic partnership agreement signed between the USQ and GDLN Asia Pacific through the TDLC to enhance education, learning and development efforts in the region. The TDLC promotes blended learning for development, while USQ has expertise in the development and delivery of study materials and programs around the globe. Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Global Learning Services at USQ Professor Jim Taylor, an internationally renowned expert in e-learning, has expressed high hopes for the agreement, saying that it offers the University a direct opportunity to contribute positively to developing nations.
While at USQ, Jiping spoke to many specialists in fields with experience directly relevant to the GDLN. Dr. Shirley Reushle, an online teaching and pedagogy expert, showed Jiping her online courses “Online Pedagogy in Practice” using Elluminate, which supports synchronized online teaching and collaboration. They also discussed the USQ Graduate Certificate program on “Further Educational Training”, which Jiping found particularly useful to the GDLN’s capacity building efforts on e-Learning.
Also, Dr. Birgit Loch, demonstrated how she used “Camtasia” to record her lectures live and put them online for students in distance. A lecturer of Maths & Computing, Dr. Loch pioneered the employment of new technologies to better serve her students both on campus and in distance
Based on the Agreement, one of the benefits that the GDLN looks forward to is USQ’s Integrated Content Environment (ICE) – a free open source content management system and authoring tool that USQ developed which is now used extensively within the University. The USQ and TDLC are making download arrangements so that the TDLC and GDLN can utilize the system. While at USQ, Jiping received training on ICE from Ms. Pamela Glossop with follow-up to become proficient in its use.
Jiping also worked with USQ faculty members to explore collaboration possibilities on learning programs, including an “Into for Business” course, USQ’s “ Open Courseware” initiative. She also received advice from Senior e-Learning Advisor, Mr. Toren Marcussen on the draft Microfinance course that TDLC will be facilitating through Moodle.
