ODL Innovation in Post-Covid 19 Time

The Webinar of Association of Open Universities (AAOU) in the AAOU Webinar Series 2022: (R)evolution of ODL once again was here for the third time with the theme on “Innovations in ODL Post-Covid 19”. This webinar was held online through Zoom and broadcast live on YouTube UT TV channel on Tuesday, 14 June 2022.

As we all know, the education system in the post-pandemic era has once again shifted. The study activities, which were used to be done online, were gradually carried out offline and face-to-face. It requires the education institutions to implement Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system in order to continue to make some innovations that are always relevant in the post-covid 19 eras.

Universitas Terbuka, a state university that applies ODL system along with other universities in Asia that implement the same education system, takes part in making new breakthroughs in the new normal era in the post-pandemic Covid 19. In order to further elaborate this matter, this webinar invited two speakers, Martin Dougiamas, Founder and CEO of Moodle and Dr. Christothea Herodotou, Associate Professor of Open University, UK. The webinar was convened by UT’s Vice Rector for Institution Development and Partnership, who also serve Secretary General of AAOU, Rahmat Budiman, M.Hum., Ph.D. and moderated by a lecturer of Payame Noor University Iran, Dr. Monirosadat Hosseini.

The Webinar was officially opened by Universitas Terbuka’s Rector who is also the President of AAOU 2020-2022, Prof. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D., who expressed his gratitude to both presenters and the moderator who attended the event. He also expressed his hope that this webinar would benefit others, especially the education institutions that implement ODL system during this post-covid 19 time. 

Martin Dougiamas stated that throughout its development, Moodle has experienced two significant changes in terms of interface in order to accommodate its users’ requirements, which include course index feature as well as iconic colors that are varied and modifiable according to customer’s requirements. It is done in order to achieve the objectives of Open Edtech, which are to provide education infrastructures that have global standards, are open and of high quality for both the educators and the students, alike.

Subsequently, the presentation of Dr. Christothea Herodotou mainly focused on the assessment system during the post-Covid 19 time. The transformation of the examination or testing process which was previously done offline and then shifting to online system and open book. As a consequence, the assessment or grading system process which is implemented must hence also be altered. Currently, the assessors are required to be able to distinguish the original work output and the products made by AI (Artificial Intelligence).

Apart from that, he also added that it is important for the educational institutions to ensure that each and every of their students can receive and obtain maximum study facilities and enjoyable experience in the learning process. The Open University facilitates its teaching staff members with Predictive Learning Analytics (PLA) in order to monitor their student performance in the university. With the existing PLA, the students of the OU UK will be able to obtain assistance and support when needed.

The series of the webinar activities is concluded by the Secretary General of AAOU who invited all the attendees who participate in the program to send in their written works to AAOU Journal.