Educators Helped To Upgrade E-Learning Skills

Wednesday, 18 June 2008, 11:54 am
Press Release: Open Polytechnic

18 June 2008 Media Release: The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand Immediate

Open Poly Helps Educators and Trainers Upgrade their e-Learning Skills

The increasing use of e-learning is creating a need to upskill more education and training professionals in the field, according to head of The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand’s e-learning office Sue Dark.

Ms Dark says a new online certificate launched by The Open Polytechnic aims to be part of the solution by upgrading the e-learning skills of educators working with adult distance learners.

The new certificate blends adult and distance learning theory with a hands-on approach to designing and facilitating learning online, she says.

“Judging by what’s happening internationally online learning is going to have a big role to play for people in the workforce and we wanted to develop a very practical introduction for educators likely to be working with those kinds of learners.

“It’s aimed at polytechnic academics and adult and workplace trainers but we also see potential for related areas such as human resources professionals and others supporting the training function.”

Ms Dark says The Open Polytechnic is recognised internationally for its expertise in both e-learning and distance-learning and the new certificate is a natural extension of its role.

“We’re very much focused on supporting more flexible ways for adults to learn both as an organisation and within the wider network of tertiary provision.

“The use of technology in education enables greater flexibility but there is an urgent need to raise capability in the discipline.”

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