From 3rd to 4th November, 2023, the Open University of China (OUC) hosted its 2023 Learning Resources Workshop in Changsha, Hunan Province. Organised by Hunan Open University, the event centred on the theme of implementing the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education.

It aimed to promote comprehensive reform within the OUC, encourage collaboration on ideas for the high-quality construction of learning resources, and facilitate the shared development of top-tier learning resources across the system. Leaders and representatives from 62 OUC branches and colleges were in attendance, underscoring the event's significance in shaping the future of educational resources at the university.

Xu Lu, deputy director of the Section of Higher Continuing Education, the Department of Vocational and Adult Education at the MOE

Cui Shufang, director of the Section of Vocational and Adult Education at Hunan Provincial Education Department

Zeng Baocheng, secretary of the Party Committee of Hunan OU

Xu Lu, deputy director of the Section of Higher Continuing Education at the Department of Vocational and Adult Education, MOE, along with Cui Shufang, director of the Section of Vocational and Adult Education at the Hunan Provincial Education Department, extended congratulatory remarks. Additionally, Zeng Baocheng, secretary of the Party Committee of Hunan OU, delivered a welcome speech.

Li Song, a member of the Party Committee and vice president of the OUC

Li Song, a member of the Party Committee and vice president of the OUC, delivered a keynote speech titled "To Make Concerted Efforts for Quality Improvement to Serve Lifelong Learning for All and the Building of a Learning Society and a Learning Country with High-Quality Learning Resources". Li Song stressed the critical importance of education to the future of our country and our Party. He pointed out that learning resources are the core content carriers of open university education and teaching, and their quality is essential to meet the strategic requirements of the country. This includes pledging the high-quality development of the open university and ensuring the implementation of the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education.

Li Song outlined that high-quality learning resources for open universities should be adult-oriented, useful, and easily accessible. They should be developed under the guidance of renowned teachers and be scientifically accurate. These resources should result from collaborative efforts within the system, contributed to and shared by all. They should integrate digital technology with innovative models and be demonstrative with international perspectives.

He emphasised the need to focus on building a leading country in education and the training of practical professionals, committing consistently to the high-quality development of learning resources. This involves four key strategies: innovating the concept of resources and building a new concept and paradigm for resource development; enhancing technology empowerment to explore new forms and methods for learning resources; strengthening collaboration within the system to promote a new pattern and new ecology of learning resources; and deepening teaching reform to boost new sources of energy and new results.

Li Wei, director of the OUC Learning Resources Department (Digital Library)

Li Wei, director of the Learning Resources Department (Digital Library) at the Open University of China (OUC), delivered a report titled "Construction Directions and Key Points for the High-Quality Development of Learning Resources at the Open University." Li Wei discussed the pivotal question facing every OUC member involved in learning resources: "What should the OUC do and how can learning resources contribute to establishing a leading country in education?" She emphasised that the OUC's learning resources are notable for their vast quantity, varied types, strong expert involvement, wide coverage, and extensive application.

To systematically advance the high-quality development of OUC learning resources, Li Wei highlighted five key areas of focus. First, strengthen top-level design to ensure development aligns with established standards in action. Second, coordinate efforts to promote joint contribution and resource sharing. Third, guarantee quality content through improved supervision and monitoring. Fourth, enhance awareness of the importance of exquisite products and capacity building. Finally, bolster technological empowerment to improve outcomes.

Representatives from the branches of Hunan, Xi'an, Fujian, as well as the headquarters, shared their insights on various topics related to learning resources. These topics included demand-driven approaches, innovative models for collaborative learning resource development, the transformation of digital resources led by XR (Extended Reality) teaching resources, the "One Body with Four Wings" model driving high-quality learning resources in Fujian, experiences in building "Art Master Lectures" at the OUC, strategies for designing and developing online courses, and intellectual property protection for digital learning resources.

On-site investigation of the production of new media resources

Group discussions

To further strengthen the capacity for designing and developing high-quality resources, an on-site investigation of new media resource production was conducted. The attendees engaged in group discussions centered around the event's theme.

The event further clarified the direction for constructing and developing high-quality learning resources within open universities. It encouraged the education system to collaboratively "provide solutions to common challenges," thereby creating a powerful force for contributing to the development of a learning society and nation committed to lifelong learning. This collaborative effort is aimed at achieving new milestones in establishing a leading country in education.

By OUC Learning Resources Department (Digital Library)