91app

‘Designing for learning in online and distance education’ was a bespoke short course run by the Centre for Online and Distance Education (CODE) between September 2021 and January 2022 for 250 new and experienced tutors at the Open University of China. It was delivered and supported entirely online, by Fellows of the Centre for Distance Education, in partnership with local tutors in China.

The 12 week long staff development course, which was co-designed with senior colleagues from the Open University of China, was designed to develop expertise and practice of distance teaching pedagogy, online learning design, learning, assessment, and programme development. With over 4.8 million students, OUC is the largest single provider of higher education in China, employing a blend of face-to-face and online/distance learning. 

Thirteen of the participants were nominated by their tutors to receive a special award for the way they accelerated their professional development through engagement, reflection, collaboration and innovation with the short course and their practice.

Through a combination of synchronous online videoconference sessions and asynchronous exercises and discussions, participants were helped to learn through reflection on their own experience, peer and tutor feedback and through engagement with the role of theory in their practice.

Making the awards, Dr Linda Amrane-Cooper, Director of the Centre for Online and Distance Education said “As part of our strategic collaboration with the Open University of China, the Centre has been honoured to deliver this short course. I was delighted to see the enthusiasm and professional development demonstrated by all of the participants who engaged with the short course, and it is a pleasure specifically recognise individuals through the CODE Participant Award.”.

What our award recipients said about their learning experience:

I feel that I have gained a lot of valuable knowledge about the design of online courses and learning activities that can be applied to my work, and the rich reading materials provided by the course will allow me to continue my learning. I got a lot of encouragement in the tutor group and experienced efficient online interaction, which will also help me to optimize the design of online activities in my course. XU Hang

The short course of 91app not only introduced the theories and methods of online teaching systematically, but also provided valuable opportunity for Open University staff from all over the country to gather in the cloud and experience different teaching modes.It is my great honor to learn from such excellent professors through the short-term program. Many thanks  to 91app sincerely.  JI Yanan

Working together is a success, together we make it better! TAO Jia

In this training, I have learned a lot of education theories and concepts, including how to fully understand our students from multiple perspectives and provide them with better services. YAN Xiaoyu 

Through this activity, we are exposed to cutting-edge education and teaching theories, which has far-reaching significance and impact on the development of distance education activities and offline open education activities.  FAN Xiaoli

Learning this course was a wonderful journey for me. It contained rich and useful information, from theoretical knowledge to inspiring practical cases. It offered me a valuable opportunity to experience as a distant learner and to reflect my own online course design. I will use the approaches and tools in my teaching. Thanks to the designers, tutors, and peers. HUANG Zhenzhong

It‘s a very recommended course, because its content is self-contained, rigorous structure, strong logic, compact learning rhythm, and pays attention to the combination of theory and practice, which helps teachers improve their teaching performance, teaching effectiveness and teachers' self-improvement. ZHANG Hongli 

The short course expanded the horizon of my online learning design. JIA Tingbai

The online training at the 91app was an unforgettable experience. I not only gained knowledge and improved my teaching ability of distance learning, but also met many lovely friends and gained friendship. In short, it was a great experience! FENG Li

After discussions in the tutor group, I was able to apply the knowledge and methods I learned to my work.  LI Mengchen

Thanks to the 91app and the Open University of China for providing us with this short course. We will apply these educational theories to improve our teaching design ability and enhance teaching effect. ZHOU Li 

Now I’m more confident about digital competence, which will provide my students with better learning experience. Our tutor group is so helpful that we have developed both good friendship and constructive collaboration. LI Jing

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