Between December 2-5, 2011, the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the China Association for Educational Technology (CAET) and National Education Informationization Outlook Forum was held in Guangzhou. Yang Zhijian, chairman of the CAET and president of the Open University of China (OUC), attended the meeting and delivered a work report on behalf of the CAET, in which he reviewed the 20-year history of the association, summarized its achievements and experiences and forecasted future development.
Organized by the Global Universities in Distance Education (GUIDE) Association, the 5th GUIDE International Conference was held between November 18-19, 2011 in Rome, Italy. The theme for this year’s conference was "E-learning innovative models for the integration of education, technology and research". More than 100 experts and scholars from all over the world in the field of distance education participated in the conference.
At the dawn of the new year, President of the OUC Yang Zhijian sent his greetings to teachers and students in radio and TV universities nationwide as well as friends and graduates at home and abroad who have faithfully supported open and distance education in China.
On November 24, 2011, the Annual Conference of the Open University of China (OUC) and Canadian Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Joint Research Center and International Seminar of Learning Outcome Assessment and Recognition opened via video conferencing with the OUC's two-way video conferencing room serving as the main venue. The primary purpose of the conference was to summarize this year's research work by the Joint Research Center and hold a discussion on the theme "Assessment and Recognition of Learning Outcome".
Recognition of learning outcome is a specific strategy that
In order to promote cultural and economic exchange between China and Romania, develop the vocational training markets of both countries and jointly cultivate professionals in high-tier fields, the Open University of China (OUC)，Romanian Wine Industry Alliance Group and Domeniile Vinju Mare(Romania) signed a letter of intent to establish a "Romanian Cultural Experience Base" at the OUC Conference Center and work together to conduct the "Wine Taster Certification" program.
On November 17, 2011, China International Distance Education Conference 2011, China's annual meeting in the field of distance education, opened in Beijing. This year's conference is directed by the National Modern Distance Education Coordination Commission of Chinese Universities and Colleges and the Open University of China, and hosted by the Journal of Distance Education in China. The theme is "The Future of Digital Learning: Innovation through the Integration of Information Technology and Education".
The Chinese Language Center of the Open University of China (hereinafter referred to as "Chinese Center") participated in the second Chinese Language Education Forum in San Francisco, California, between 12-13 November. Representatives from the center introduced the MyEChinese integrated method of Chinese teaching, the design of online question banks, the development of Chinese language resources for mobile learning and the latest achievements in developing a Chinese distance education system in collaboration with California State University, Long Beach, etc. The following papers submitted by the Chinese Center were included in the Forum's Honorary List: "‘Integrated Learning’ Applied in the Design of MyEChinese Teaching Methods", "Mode, Strategy, Design and Operation of the Online Question Bank — Using the New HSK as an Example", "How to Use Online Learning Resources to Promote Classroom Instruction".
On October 26th, 2011, a symposium for the establishment of key research topics for 2011 was held at the Open University of China. The symposium outlined the research background, significance, goals and basic status of the topics.
The establishment of key research topics for 2011 is an effort to methodically tackle critical issues involved in building and reforming a national open university. This year, academic research will be focused on the following four areas: development strategy