The Open Learning

Open Learning at AKU-IED

The Open Learning (OL) initiative commenced in 2002 to provide greater access to AKU-IED's programmes for teachers and educational leaders who are unable to attend full-time classes on campus. The educational framework for OL was, thus, based on the goals of increased flexibility in learning and increased access for the learners. The term “open learning” was preferred instead of other terms such as ‘open and distance learning' as the former “seems to carry the connotations of flexibility and resource-based learning [and] also … capture[s] our possible uses of materials both at a distance and on campus” (OL proposal, 2001). A small team was formed to work in the following areas:

• Assist faculty in designing and developing materials for distance education courses
  
  
• Support faculty members in using information and communications technology for teaching and learning (eLearning)

For more information on specific activities of the OL team, click here.

Distance education courses

Education through distance mode or distance education is a means of providing access to those who are unable to study on campus. Distance education is often characterized by (OL proposal, 2001):

• the physical separation of teacher and learner;

• the influence, patronage or sponsorship of the teaching/learning progra mm e by an educational organization;

• the use of media, most commonly print, to carry the educational content;

• the provision of support to the student, both through the kinds of content used (e.g. activity-based learning) and through some provision of two-way communication; and

• the possibility of occasional meetings of students with each other and with their ‘teachers' for both pedagogical and socialization purposes.

Since 2002, five ‘Certificate in Education' (240 learning hours) courses have been developed and offered by AKU-IED in distance education mode. Initially, these courses adopted a low-tech design and relied primarily on paper based study guides with some online interaction. However, with time, the use of online technologies in distance education courses increased and now all distance education courses use IED's Virtual Learning Environment for teaching and learning.

eLearning

eLearning is the use of ICT for learning, teaching and learner support services. It is not merely delivery of content in electronic format. Rather, it encompasses the use of a wide set of tools and pedagogical strategies in a range of educational settings ((Laurillard, 2006). This may include using Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) for content delivery and student- teacher communication, use of digital libraries for accessing up-to-date research, and use of videos, educational games and simulations, satellite broadcasts, interactive TV, DVDs and so on for teaching scientific, social and mathematical concepts, and language learning. More importantly, eLearning is about enabling learning through the use of ICT; therefore, it is different from traditional forms of learning and demands new pedagogical approaches. At IED, eLearning can be seen in the following instructional settings (Bates and Poole 2003):

• Technology-enhanced classroom teaching: Faculty members use PowerPoint slides to illustrate concepts in their face-to-face sessions, provide online readings and conduct asynchronous discussions either via email or a discussion board. All students are required to submit word processed assignments for assessment.

• Distributed learning: Teachers and educational leaders complete formal educational programs at remote locations, which includes distance eductaion and field based programmes. In such programs, emails, course websites via IEDOnline or Moodle and online discussions via Elluminate Live! are used.

Current Activities

• Nine MEd courses are using Moodle

• Orientation sessions for distance education courses are held via Elluminate Live!

• Friday Research Seminars are made available to the Professional Development Centers in the Northern Areas of Pakistan, Institute for Educational Development, Eastern Africa and Institute for Studies in Muslim Civilization (selected sessions)

• Educational Issues Sessions are recorded via Elluminate Live! and the recording links are available

• Faculty development sessions are held for using technologies such as Moodle, Elluminate Live!

• Additional bandwidth and multimedia equipment are being installed in selected classrooms