Wawasan Open University has revised and upgraded its ODL Core Competency Certificate Programme (ODL-CCCP) for the training of its academic and academic support staff.
The revised version was launched by Vice Chancellor Prof Dato’ Dr Ho Sinn Chye at the main campus today during the commencement of the workshop on ‘Module 1: An Overview of ODL’.
PROF HO OPENS THE WORKSHOP.
In inaugurating the programme, Prof Ho highlighted the importance of ongoing professional development programmes such as ODL-CCCP for keeping abreast with new developments and emerging innovations in the area of open distance learning (ODL). He said the academics will be able to develop professionally and enhance their competencies in ODL and, in the process, help WOU to improve its quality and institutional performance. “I am happy to note that WOU is spearheading efforts to become one of the best ODL institutions in this region,” he added.
The revised ODL-CCCP is an updated version of the earlier two cycles of programme used in the in-house training workshops organised in 2011 and 2012.
TAN SRI RAJ SHARES ON THE ROLE OF ODL IN HIGHER EDUCATION.
The Module 1 workshop was attended by 14 academics from the School of Business and Administration, School of Science and Technology, School of Foundation and Liberal Studies, and the School of Education, Languages and Communications (SELC). The trainers were Tan Sri Emeritus Prof Gajaraj Dhanarajan, Prof Mohandas Menon, and Prof Phalachandra Bhandigadi.
Prof Phalachandra from SELC, who coordinates the CCCP, said, “The new version will include all up-to-date developments in ODL and integrate the content of an introductory course on OER and e-Learning. The revisions are expected to make the whole programme advanced and comprehensive, thereby serving as an introductory certificate course incorporating the basic requirements for an academic in an open university.”
PROF MOHANDAS MENON EXPLAINS THE NEW MODEL.
Prof Menon, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic-OCL) and also coordinator of the CCCP, stated, “We have made the new package of ODL-CCCP more compact but intensive with 6 modules and a Project with an estimated 120 hours of study. We will use a blended mode, including self-learning by individual participants, expert presentations, multi-media sessions, group discussions and activities.”
For workshops on the subsequent modules of the CCCP, the University plans to invite international experts in different areas of ODL to provide resource support either through face-to-face or virtually.
