"Online Course Design" is one of a series of training courses oriented towards e-learning educators,jointly developed by the Open University of China (OUC) and the Open University, UK (OUUK). After only seven weeks of online learning, the course helps learners learn the basics of online course design, including designing a well-targeted, unique online course based on the learning experience of their students, so as to better respond to the challenge of online education.
In order to explore new models for e-learning and enhance teachers’ online teaching ability, in early 2008, the Open University of China(OUC,aka CCRTVU) and the Open University, UK (OUUK)jointly planned and developed the E-learning Educator Training programme.
On March 7, 2015, the China Distance Education Academic Forum (hereinafter referred to as the Forum) met to discuss the theme: "Distance Education: Responsibilities of Academic Journals" in Shenyang, Liaoning Province. The Forum was jointly hosted by Distance Education in China and Shenyang Radio and TV University (RTVU).
A new version of the "E-Learning Educator Training" course platform (http://etutor.ouchn.edu.cn/) has been officially released after several trials and improvements over the past year. The Research Institute of Open and Distance Education is in charge of the development issues, and the Information Technology Department provides technical support for the platform. Based on Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (Moodle), the platform is designed for the vast majority of teaching staff in the e-learning (distance learning) education sector, providing them with a learning platform of educational services. It is user-friendly, easy to operate, easy to modify and expand, and suitable for in-service personnel to use.
On January 8, 2015, a seminar to evaluate the OUC's 2014 Plan for Data Collection and Dissemination of Teaching Quality Factors was held in Beijing. Vice President of the Open University of China (OUC), Mr. Li Linshu, together with experts from 14 branches(schools)of the OUC, experts from relevant departments, and staff members from the Quality Monitoring and Evaluation Centre at the OUC headquarters attended the meeting. The meeting was held to discuss the 2014 Plan for Data Collection and Dissemination of Teaching Quality Factors for the OUC and the future work thoughts.
“English for E-Learning Practitioners” is one of the courses in the series “E-Learning Practitioners Training”. After the pilot run in 2013 and some course adjustments, the second training class was successfully held from 17 November 2014 to 22 January 2015, and was made up of 23 learners from eleven separate departments of the Open University of China (OUC), such as the Academic Affairs Department (Examination Centre), Shanxi RTVU, Guangxi RTVU, and the Open University of Japan. All of the students highly praised the contents of the course and considered the multi-media courseware to be refreshing. During the training, QQ group voice real-time interaction was integrated to enhance chances for learners to practice their oral English.
Where is the United States located in relation to China? To the east? No, to the north. What is the name of the ocean that separates China and the United States? The Pacific Ocean? No, the Arctic Ocean. These were the answers given by Hao Xiaoguang, who was invited to attend “Science and China: Expert Lectures” held recently by the Open University of China (OUC). Hao Xiaoguang is a researcher from the Institute of Geodesy and Geophysics (Chinese Academy of Sciences).
On 17 December 2014, a team led by Vice President Zhang Hui of The Open University of China (OUC) went to the School of Tibet to carry out training in the application of the digital library in the Linzhi Learning Centre of the school. Teachers and staff members from the School of Tibet and the Linzhi Learning Centre took part in the training, which was the first application and promotion activity in the school initiated by the OUC as part of its “Year of Digital Library Promotion” event.