By Zaid Ali Alsagoff Head, Research and Development, UNITAR [email_address] Sharing UNITAR’s e-Learning Experience

Contents Introduction UNITAR’s Hybrid e-Learning Model UNITAR’s Courseware Experience Tips on Making e-Learning Work UNITAR’s experience with its course management system, tutorials (e.g. Online and face-to-face tutorials, online forums), Virtual Library, Customer Relations Management, Study Centers are not discussed in this presentation.

Introduction

UNITAR’s Hybrid e-Learning Model

UNITAR’s Courseware Experience

Tips on Making e-Learning Work

Introduction University Tun Abdul Razak (UNITAR) is a premier e-learning university established in 1998. It pioneers a hybrid environment, combining the best from the e-learning and conventional approaches. UNITAR’s philosophy: To provide quality education at an affordable fee with emphasis on skill development through the use of state-of-the-art technology.

University Tun Abdul Razak (UNITAR) is a premier e-learning university established in 1998.

It pioneers a hybrid environment, combining the best from the e-learning and conventional approaches.

UNITAR’s philosophy:

UNITAR’s Hybrid E-Learning Model Six (6) major components: Courseware – CD-based and web-based. Course Management System - Virtual Online Instructional Support System (VOISS) Tutorials – Online/face-to-face tutorials and online forums. Study Centers – Classrooms, workstations, library, etc. Virtual Library – Online databases, electronic texts, staff publications, e-books, past exam papers, etc. Customer Relations Management – Online/Offline support to students (and staff) facing academic, technical and personal problems (e.g. telephone, fax, emails, chat).

Six (6) major components:

Courseware – CD-based and web-based.

Course Management System - Virtual Online Instructional Support System (VOISS)

Tutorials – Online/face-to-face tutorials and online forums.

Study Centers – Classrooms, workstations, library, etc.

Virtual Library – Online databases, electronic texts, staff publications, e-books, past exam papers, etc.

Customer Relations Management – Online/Offline support to students (and staff) facing academic, technical and personal problems (e.g. telephone, fax, emails, chat).

UNITAR’s Hybrid E-Learning Model

UNITAR’s Courseware Experience The major premise of courseware development in the beginning was that it must replace lectures . Due to low Internet (and bandwidth) penetration in Malaysia in 1998, we decided to go for CD-based multimedia-enriched teaching courseware . Other advantages include the use heavy multimedia content (e.g. video, audio), more features and interactivity. However, we soon realized that CD-based courseware: was too costly to produce Took too long time to develop Required a lot of manpower Difficult to modify or update

The major premise of courseware development in the beginning was that it must replace lectures .

Due to low Internet (and bandwidth) penetration in Malaysia in 1998, we decided to go for CD-based multimedia-enriched teaching courseware . Other advantages include the use heavy multimedia content (e.g. video, audio), more features and interactivity.

However, we soon realized that CD-based courseware:

was too costly to produce

Took too long time to develop

Required a lot of manpower

Difficult to modify or update

UNITAR’s Courseware Experience In 2000 , after producing more than 300 CD-based titles and spending millions of US dollars (most costly e-learning component), UNITAR decided to go for a more cost-effective Web-based type of teaching courseware . Advantages include: Reduced cost Faster to develop Less manpower required More flexible Easier to modify and update Etc.

In 2000 , after producing more than 300 CD-based titles and spending millions of US dollars (most costly e-learning component), UNITAR decided to go for a more cost-effective Web-based type of teaching courseware . Advantages include:

Reduced cost

Faster to develop

Less manpower required

More flexible

Easier to modify and update

Etc.

Courseware In 2000 , after producing more than 300 CD-based titles and spending millions of US dollars (most costly e-learning component), UNITAR decided to go for a more cost-effective Web-based type of teaching courseware . Advantages include: Reduced cost Faster to develop Less manpower required More flexible Easier to modify and update Etc.

In 2000 , after producing more than 300 CD-based titles and spending millions of US dollars (most costly e-learning component), UNITAR decided to go for a more cost-effective Web-based type of teaching courseware . Advantages include:

Reduced cost

Faster to develop

Less manpower required

More flexible

Easier to modify and update

Etc.

UNITAR’s Courseware Experience In 2002 , after 2 years of developing and experimenting with Web-based teaching courseware, it was decided to change or also develop a resource-based (More text, less graphics) type of courseware, due to several reasons: Reduce development cost, manpower, and time Recommended by students and facilitators More appropriate for Master degree students Easier to access on a dial-up connection

In 2002 , after 2 years of developing and experimenting with Web-based teaching courseware, it was decided to change or also develop a resource-based (More text, less graphics) type of courseware, due to several reasons:

Reduce development cost, manpower, and time

Recommended by students and facilitators

More appropriate for Master degree students

Easier to access on a dial-up connection

Courseware In 2002 , after 2 years of developing and experimenting with Web-based teaching courseware, it was decided to change or also develop resource-based type of courseware, due to several reasons: Reduced development cost and time Requires less manpower Recommended by students and facilitators More appropriate for Higher degree students Easier to access on a dial-up connection

In 2002 , after 2 years of developing and experimenting with Web-based teaching courseware, it was decided to change or also develop resource-based type of courseware, due to several reasons:

Reduced development cost and time

Requires less manpower

Recommended by students and facilitators

More appropriate for Higher degree students

Easier to access on a dial-up connection

UNITAR’s Courseware Experience In 2004 , we are in the process of moving towards a more reusable learning object development approach , which is inline with global e-learning standards (e.g. SCORM). We are empowering facilitators or course leaders with easy-to-use authoring, content management and publishing tools (e.g. Breeze Presentation, RoboDemo). The Courseware Department provides support (e.g. graphics, templates, tips, guidelines) and training/workshops (e.g. instructional design) to facilitators, subject matter experts, and course leaders.

In 2004 , we are in the process of moving towards a more reusable learning object development approach , which is inline with global e-learning standards (e.g. SCORM).

We are empowering facilitators or course leaders with easy-to-use authoring, content management and publishing tools (e.g. Breeze Presentation, RoboDemo).

The Courseware Department provides support (e.g. graphics, templates, tips, guidelines) and training/workshops (e.g. instructional design) to facilitators, subject matter experts, and course leaders.

Courseware

UNITAR’s Courseware Experience By enabling the facilitators or course leaders to create themselves attractive flash-based presentations with audio and simple quizzes: More learning objects can be created in less time Less costly Less manpower is required Easier to update and modify lectures can actually be replaced Quality Control committee will monitor and evaluate content developed or under development. By January 2005 , all course lectures will be accessible online, to view/download anytime, anywhere.

By enabling the facilitators or course leaders to create themselves attractive flash-based presentations with audio and simple quizzes:

More learning objects can be created in less time

Less costly

Less manpower is required

Easier to update and modify

lectures can actually be replaced

Quality Control committee will monitor and evaluate content developed or under development.

By January 2005 , all course lectures will be accessible online, to view/download anytime, anywhere.

Tips on Making e-learning Work Quality e-Learning should inspire students. A few key ingredients: Blended Learning - combine e-learning with classroom activities. Combine asynchronous learning (e.g. courseware, forum) with synchronous learning (e.g. web-conferencing, chat). Involve everyone in decision-making (including students  ). Listen and learn from students’ (and lecturers’) views, opinions, suggestions and ideas. The course and content management system must be stable, reliable, scalable, and easy-to-use/ access . Course content should be printer-friendly and downloadable . Quality facilitators/lecturers that are educated, experienced, enthusiastic, dedicated, and comfortable using all the e-learning systems and features.

Quality e-Learning should inspire students. A few key ingredients:

Blended Learning - combine e-learning with classroom activities.

Combine asynchronous learning (e.g. courseware, forum) with synchronous learning (e.g. web-conferencing, chat).

Involve everyone in decision-making (including students  ).

Listen and learn from students’ (and lecturers’) views, opinions, suggestions and ideas.

The course and content management system must be stable, reliable, scalable, and easy-to-use/ access .

Course content should be printer-friendly and downloadable .

Quality facilitators/lecturers that are educated, experienced, enthusiastic, dedicated, and comfortable using all the e-learning systems and features.

Tips on Making e-learning Work Deal with problems head on ! Celebrate problems! Identifying, understanding, communicating, discussing and solving problems, is a major key to success in e-learning. “ For every problem there is opportunity for Improvement. If we enjoy dealing with problems as much as we do with success, e-Learning will be a wonderful adventure and success. ” (Zaid Ali Alsagoff)

Deal with problems head on ! Celebrate problems! Identifying, understanding, communicating, discussing and solving problems, is a major key to success in e-learning.

The End Thank You!

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