We’d like to invite you to join us for our three events during the Asia-Pacific Online Distance Education (APODE) week between 12 and 15 November 2024. This year’s theme is ‘Sustainable education practices’. APODE Week takes place in parallel to the European Open and Digital Learning Week (EODLW), organised by EDEN Digital Learning Europe.
This year, we will have a panel conversation, a workshop, and a presentation looking at different aspects of sustainability and its place in education. Register for our three events to receive the joining instructions.
Panel conversation ‘Gen AI past its hype and its impact on education in Aotearoa New Zealand’
We are convening a panel for a conversation around generative AI now that it’s past its peak hype according to the latest Gartner Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies. Where do our experts see the impact of artificial intelligence, and in particular generative AI, in our education sector in Aotearoa New Zealand? What questions are asked, but more importantly, which questions are not being asked or are pushed to the back of the conversation though they should be more centre stage in our context? How can and should educational institutions at all levels of education, from primary to tertiary education, support students and educators in this area?
Panellists:
- Claire Amos, MEdLeadership, Principal at Albany Senior High School
- Steve Leichtweis, PhD, Head of the eLearning Group with Ranga Auaha Ako | Learning & Teaching Design Team at University of Auckland
- Professor Stephen Marshall (PFHEA), Director at the Victoria University of Wellington Centre for Academic Development
Workshop ‘Working together for change: Digital education meets the climate and nature emergencies’
In light of the climate and nature crises, Neil Selwyn (2021) issued a call to ‘reimagine educational technology as a focus for collective action rather than individual gain’. In this session, we aim to start a discussion on what resources could help us to take climate positive actions within our roles as digital education professionals. We will seek to crowdsource examples of what is already happening across the sector and start thinking about how we can work together to effect positive change to address the climate and nature crises within a digital education context.
Facilitators:
- Geraldine Foley, MA, Senior Learning Technologist at University College London (UCL)
- Irina Niculescu, MA, Senior Learning Technologist at University College London (UCL)
- Dominic Pates, MA, Senior Educational Technologist at City St George’s, University of London
- Roger Rees, MA, Design and Development Manager, University of Surrey
Presentation ‘Empowering STEM educators in Fiji: Integrating OERs and technology in the classroom’
Integration of Open Educational Resources (OERs) and technology in teaching and learning is crucial for enhancing learning experiences, particularly in STEM education. This presentation outlines a training programme designed for Fiji secondary STEM teachers, focusing on the basics of OERs and the role of technology in education. The programme included a 2-day face-to-face workshop and an online component hosted on Moodle, featuring a main course and two sub-courses: ‘OER Basics’ and ‘Introduction to AI and ChatGPT.’ The ‘OER Basics’ course was adapted from the ‘Digital Skills for OER Sharing’ online course developed by the Commonwealth of Learning. This training aims to equip educators with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively integrate OERs and technology into their teaching practices, fostering a more interactive and inclusive learning environment. These resources and activities are outcomes for the Pacific Partnership in Open Distance and Flexible Learning.
Facilitator
Mojito Jione, MS, Open Education Design Architect at University of the South Pacific (USP)