Educational Technology Expertise Center (OTEC) at the Open University of the Netherlands (OUNL)

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Educational Technology Expertise Center (OTEC)at
theOpen University of the Netherlands (OUNL)

• Jeroen van Merriënboer
• OTEC Research Program Director Vice Dean

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OUNL

• Government funded institution
• Open higher distance education
• Established 1985
• Programs in Law, Economics, Business, Public
  administration, Engineering, Environmental
  sciences, Cultural studies, Social sciences

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OUNL - mission

• Serve non-traditional learner groups
• Second chance students
• Second way students
• Contribute to innovation of higher education in
  The Netherlands
• Instructional methods (e.g. eLearning)
• Cost effectiveness

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OTEC

• Appr. 90 staff
• One capacity group
• Multidisciplinary project teams
• Four programs
• Implementation (applied projects)
• Training Educational Programs
• Technology Development
• Research

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OTEC - organisation
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The research program

• Instructional design for competence based
  learning in post-secondary higher education
• Five-year program (1999-2003)
• Participates in Interuniversity Center for
  Educational Research - ICO
• national research school offers courses for PhD
  students from different universities

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Themes three Ds

• Theme 1 - Design
• Theme 2 - Delivery
• Theme 3 Diagnosis
• Towards new themes

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Theme 1 Design
How can we optimally design flexible, competence
based curricula and learning environments?

• analyse competencies and model learning domains

• design learning tasks and support the learner

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Theme 2 Delivery
How can we design and organise instructional
messages and communication facilities in
competence based, electronic learning
environments?

• design of instructional messages in electronic
  learning environments

• application of computer-mediated communication
  (CMC)

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Theme 3 Diagnosis
How can we use performance assessment for
intake/placement, learning/feedback, and
examination/certification - and assure its
quality?

• development and use of performance assessment

• curriculum QA through performance assessment

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Future developments

• Towards three new themes, more focus on
  theoretical bases
• Design methodology
• Theoretical basis 4C/ID
• Multimedia learning
• Theoretical basis Cognitive Load Theory
• Computer supported collaborative learning
• Theoretical basis Social Affordance Theory

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Some indicators

• About 30-35 people involved, plus programmers,
  trainees, support staf
• 18-20 fte
• Funding direct, Dutch Association for Scientific
  Research (NOW), EC, industry
• Appr. 25 projects