How long will students be satisfied with webinars, pdfs and PowerPoint?

by CLAIRE FIELD

At last month’s Reinventing VET for the Digital Age conference, I was struck by a question from a senior figure in a dual-sector university.

He asked how long students will put up with the on-line delivery being offered by most providers in the first few weeks of the COVID-19 crisis. That is, how long will students be satisfied with webinars, pdfs and PowerPoint?

Having been fortunate to visit Microsoft’s Beijing office in late 2018 I have seen first-hand how doctors can refresh their surgical skills in a fully virtual environment. And in visits to other edtech companies I have seen similar examples of just how good on-line learning can be.

But that kind of offering is beyond where most universities, TAFEs and private providers are today.

With that in mind Cherie Diaz, the Australian CEO of OpenLearning, joined me on the podcast to discuss the key issues providers need to keep in mind as they move on-line.

Cherie has previously headed up private VET and higher education providers and shares her insights on:

* creating a holistic learning experience

* the importance of fostering peer-to-peer connections

* how to engage and support students who may be deferring study because they prefer an on-campus experience

* why your measures of success are important in choosing your on-line tools and platform

* the need to identify student ambassadors who can champion your efforts

* why you should not look for a one-size fits all approach

* why you can and should adapt what you offer for your different learner cohorts

* how your students can demonstrate mastery in an online context, and

* why an audit of your communications is worth doing.

OpenLearning has also developed Australia’s first framework for micro-credentials. Details are here .

Claire is the host of the “What now? What next? Insights into Australia’s tertiary education sector” podcast.