The online, free education revolution accelerates in Australia
The Australian08 July 2012 Issue No:229
Two Australian universities are going through the final planning phases
before the prototype of a free online learning platform aimed at
disadvantaged people, particularly in developing nations, is given its
first test run, writes Julie Hare for The Australian.
The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) and Wollongong University are among 15 institutions that will contribute courses to the Open Education Resource University, which is being run by WikiEducator. USQ Vice-chancellor Jan Thomas described it as a “try before you buy” option to higher education. Under the prototype, students will not need to pay to study unless they want to be assessed.
The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) and Wollongong University are among 15 institutions that will contribute courses to the Open Education Resource University, which is being run by WikiEducator. USQ Vice-chancellor Jan Thomas described it as a “try before you buy” option to higher education. Under the prototype, students will not need to pay to study unless they want to be assessed.
Julie Hare
From:
The Australia
July 03, 2012
Jan Thomas, vice chancellor of USQ, says the race is on to find new educational paradigms.
Source: Supplied
THE building momentum behind free online higher education has been
given another shot in the arm after UNESCO announced it will ask
governments worldwide to commit to developing, promoting and making
available open educational resources.
Meanwhile, two Australian universities are going through the final
planning phases before the prototype of a free online learning platform
aimed at disadvantaged people particularly in developing nations is
given its first test run.The University of Southern Queensland and Wollongong University are among 15 institutions which will contribute courses to the Open Education Resource University, which is being run by WikiEducator.
USQ vice-chancellor Jan Thomas described it as a “try before you buy” option to higher education.
Under the prototype, students will not need to pay to study unless they want to be assessed.
Professor Thomas said OERU would also be priced at a fraction of normal university units. She said by picking up subjects from the various institutions involved it would, in theory, be possible to graduate at a quarter of the cost of a full degree.
Professor Thomas said one just needed to look to India to see the potential, and need, for such an offering.
“The number of higher education students is expected to double in the next 10 to 20 years,” she said.
“We need new paradigms for educational delivery that allow us to cope with the astronomical growth projected.”
Under the arrangement, each institution will offer at least two courses – the equivalent to one full-year subject. Academic volunteers will provide free tutorial support.
Professor Thomas said rather than cannibalising existing offerings, the OERU would more likely act as a feeder into existing online degrees with credit or advanced standing.
“We are removing cost as the major barrier to learning, opening the door to students from a variety of backgrounds, including stay-at-home mothers, students from third world countries, and so on.
The UNESCO declaration was presented at the World Open Educational Resources (OER) Congress in Paris in June. The congress is a partnership between UNESCO and the non-profit Commonwealth of Learning.
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