06. Pan-Commonwealth Forum 6 (PCF6), 2010

Permanent URI for this collection

http://oasis.col.org/handle/11599/1721

Browse

Browsing 06. Pan-Commonwealth Forum 6 (PCF6), 2010 by Author "Abas, Zoraini W"
  • Publication
    Engaging ODL Learners through Mobile Learning at Open University Malaysia
    ( 2010-11) Abas, Zoraini W ; Lim, Tina ; Mohamad, Norazlina
    Mobile learning (m-learning) is said to be the next wave of learning (Bonk, 2009). The ITU World Telecommunication (2009) reported an estimate of 4.6 billion mobile cellular telephone subscriptions around the world compared to 6.8 fixed telephone line subscriptions. There are currently 9.5 billion mobile broadband subscriptions. Expected to bring about ubiquitous learning or u-learning, mobile devices such as phones have become more affordable, yet more powerful and packed with features that rival the supercomputers of years ago. Hence, it is not surprising that an increasing number of institutions of higher learning (IHL) are starting to design learning that incorporates mobile devices. Students with smart phones and other popular personal devices such iPods and iPads or netbooks and notebook computers are already benefiting from a plethora of online learning materials such as podcasts, open educational resources (OER) and use of social media. Open distance learning (ODL) institutions are also expected to embark on making available materials for m-learning 24 hours a day. Soon, the development of mobile wireless technologies will urge ODL leaders to consider and adopt m-learning on a wider scale to benefit its students.
  • Publication
    Pure Online Learning: Pedagogical, Technological & Human Designs for Greater Access & Success
    ( 2010-11) Kaur, Abtar ; Fadzil, Mansor ; Abas, Zoraini W
    Open University Malaysia (OUM) is the first ODL institution in Malaysia to offer a completely pure online programme. The programme called Master of Instructional Design & Technology (MIDT) is accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and it started in 2009 with 21 students from 11 countries. Feedback from MIDT students with regard to the programme is encouraging and we believe this is due to three important design factors, namely, pedagogical, technological and human designs that have been incorporated into the programme. The following quote from Blubaugh ( 2003), the President of the National Coalition for Technology in Education & Training encapsulate the OUM ideology of pure online learning “Because of what we’re learning about the brain, we know that active learning involves putting students in situations where they must read, speak, listen, contemplate, think deeply, write and respond. The full power of technology, combined with the force of a talented teacher, does all this” (p.15).