Strategies for developing Ecourse Modules Gerard Brady UNU Online Learning

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Strategies for developing E-course
ModulesGerard BradyUNU Online Learning
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focus of UNU-Online Learning

• sharing knowledge via open content
• innovation in design and communication
• inter-institutional collaboration

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activities of UNU Online Learning

• curriculum and pedagogy development
• e-learning modules and case study development
• field to classroom experiments
• promotional material

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e-course module development

• the goal is to provide online course modules to
  stimulate critical thinking and develop
  practical skills
• UNU Online Learning is developing e-course
  modules for GEDS course

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partners involved

• UNEP-GRID Arendal, Norway direction
• KNUST, Ghana supervision (GEDS)
• Oxford Brookes University (UK) content SEA
• UNEP-Economics and Trade Branch content EIA

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e-course module on SEA

• strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is an
  environmental assessment methodology at the
  policy, plan and programme level
• It is a very rapidly evolving field worldwide
  and is recognised as the key tool to integrate
  ecologically sustainable development within
  decision making processes

Video with Professor Chris Wood
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development methodology

• obtain and/or consolidate existing content
• identify user needs and requirements
• identify potential media technologies
• build framework for course module
• input content and test

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subject matter experts
Chris Wood University of Manchester
Riki Therivel Oxford Brookes University
Maria Rosario Partidário New University of Lisbon
John Glasson Oxford Brookes University
Olivia Bina New University of Lisbon
Barry Sadler UNEP Advisor
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course module original

• open content agreement with Oxford Brookes Uni
  to use their distance learning course on SEA
  features well-organised content supported by
  high-quality academic resources
• however
• simple interface
• limited navigation
• lack of interactivity

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course module prototype

• featured a dynamic navigation with interactive
  elements and adapted content layout
• comments
• functionality of navigation?
• relationship of content
• interactive elements?
• how to integrate video?

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course module beta version

• beta version, near final product requiring minor
  changes and development of a course guide
• features
• flexible/modular design
• improved functionality
• navigation
• integrated content
• interactive media

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comments on e-course module

• The design of the course is outstanding. I have
  never seen any academic organization utilize
  technology that could even compare to the design
  of this program. It is attractive, organized,
  and cutting edge. I am very impressed.
• April Jervis, Student
• Technically it looks great! It is user-friendly
  and at least on a par with the best in online
  courses I know of...
• Panayotis Christidis, European Commission, Joint
  Research Centre
• Your production values are really very high and
  your materials have an excellent look-and-feel
• Michael Meredith, Director TALL, University of
  Oxford

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future for e-course module

• implementation of course module, OBU GEDS
• capacity building/professional development use
• interested organisations World Bank, IAIA,UoSP
  
• IAIA Conference on SEA, Prague Sep.2005
• EIA course module development

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issues for further consideration

• age/gender/culture differences
• full technical testing of module
• responsiveness to other subject matter
• capacities among partnering institutions

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for more information

• UNU Online Learning http//www.onlinelearning.u
  nu.edu
• Global Virtual University
• http//www.gvu.unu.edu