1. thursday, MARCH 15, 2012 NEW Straits TIMES | PAGE 17
post graduate
New dimensions in learning
O
pen University Malaysia offers a
unique programme in the shape
of the Master’s in Instructional
Design and Technology. How so? OUM
is an online university, with most of its “I think the topics
interactions occurring in the digital we cover and the
world accompanied by occasional phys- way we currently
ical classes and discussions with peers
and educators. MIDT is only available learn with OUM
online, encouraging a diverse overseas is the way
student population. towards the right
This aspect allows the course the
ability to exercise even more flexibility direction. We
in terms of subject evolution and for- need instructional
eign student intake, to name a few. Pro- designers, but
fessor Abtar Kaur, coordinator of the
MIDT programme, has had students we have to look
from India, Finland, Bangladesh and beyond its old
America: all of whom have found the practices and see
programme to have a positive impact what the current
on their academic and professional
lives. society and the
working culture
Marko Teras: Marko Teras, a Key demands for the
Account Manager at the University of
Applied Sciences in Tampere, Finland has learning process.
found that his studies have given him Marko Teras
a boost in his area of expertise. “Aside Account Manager
from my main responsibilities at work
as a product developer for international
markets, I am also very much involved
in our fully online faculty development
programme,” he says. “Through MIDT,
I have actually gained new insights on
instructional design which I have been remember this when designing instruc- his studies in MIDT has had an affect from the academic community there. a modified blended learning mode
able to transfer directly into the devel- tions of our own!” on nearly all corners of his day-to- Professor Abtar played a pivotal role which seems to work better with
opment of the programme. I have also Teras’ comment reflects the hopes day life. “As I was doing during the conference students here. MIDT has helped me
managed to bring new ideas to differ- of Professor Abtar that students would the course, I looked for as well, acting as a Chair to understand how to do this in the
ent tasks, and suggested new ways for see the open distance learning system ways to apply my learn- of a session as well as most effectual way.”
them to be facilitated.” they use at OUM not only as a tool to ing to my job,” Yousuf conducting a workshop Through Professor Abtar’s close
An impressive rundown indeed, from transport knowledge and communica- says. “It has completely on instructional design involvement in her students’ pur-
a student who has only just started his tion, but an example of instructional changed the way I look and applications in edu- suits in education and its online
second semester. A keen learner and design done well, resulting in students at teaching and learn- cation. nature, OUM has helped to promote
an enthusiastic student, Teras appreci- who are passionate about their realm ing. I have also become “I love teaching,” education in Bangladesh. This has
ates the flexibility that studying online of study and have acquired practicable a better communicator says Yousuf of his cho- helped with an issue that is close to
at OUM afforded him. “Because of my skills. in real life thanks to sen profession. “I like Yousuf’s heart – education in devel-
work, I travel a lot,” he shares. “This pro- “I think the topics we cover and the what I learned in the “I love teaching. seeing people learn, oping nations. One of the reasons
gramme has allowed me to study from way we currently learn with OUM is the programme.” I like seeing people and the main reason I that the conference was important,
any place and at any time. One would way towards the right direction,” Teras Yousuf has certainly learn, and the went into the instruc- he says, is because it is an instance
expect this to be more common around opines. “We need instructional design- practiced what he has tional design field is of partnering with students to sup-
the world, but this form of education ers, but we have to look beyond its old learned; a graduate main reason because I wanted to port the improvement of education
still feels much like a novelty.” practices and see what the current soci- of MIDT in 2010, he I went into the find out how to make in developing countries.
The diversity in nationalities of his ety and the working culture demands has already managed instructional people learn better. “The developing world needs
classmates has been a source of educa- for the learning process. to create a university- The MIDT programme better education delivery methods
tion for him as well. “The variety of peo- We have had a lot of great discus- wide course blog sys- design field is allowed us to see what than what is widely in practice now,”
ple from different parts of the world sions about the future during lessons, tem called ‘Classroom because I wanted worked with students he adds. “There is a huge educa-
showed me how many ways different and I believe that it is fantastic that Interactive Feedback to find out how and what did not. This tional divide just as there is a digital
people might understand the same these new ideas are integrated into the System’ which currently to make people has helped me become divide.”
activities,” says Teras. “This is a huge learning process to create the Masters of boasts 7,560 members an ef fec tive online Yousuf’s feeling on MIDT is quite
richness which should be emphasised Instructional Design and Technology.” and 390 courses. learn better.“ teacher myself.” clear – what he has learned is indis-
and can give a splendid learning experi- With the help of Yousuf Mahbubul Aside from conven- pensable as an educator, trainer and
ence if we open our eyes to it.” Yousuf Mahbubul Islam: You- Professor Abtar, You- Islam ing conferences and communicator. “All teachers should
‘We can learn from many different suf Mahbubul Islam, a Professor in suf spearheaded the Executive director, creating blog systems, do this course,” he believes. “It helps
levels when studying,” he continues. Computer Science and Engineering organisation of the first Daffodil International Yousuf has been apply- to understand learning and how the
“Not just from materials, or just from as well as the Executive Director at national conference on University ing the Open Distance latest technologies can support such
other people’s perceptions, but also the Human Resource Development Teaching Learning at Learning system to stu- learning. It will not only change their
at a meta-level; how the instructions Institute at Daffodil International Uni- Tertiary Level in Bang- dents in Bangladesh. teaching and learning methods, it will
affect us as learners. Hopefully we will versity in Bangladesh, has found that ladesh last year to positive feedback “I have been implementing ODL in change their lives.”
