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Niki Davis, President, Distance Education Association of New Zealand (DEANZ)
What has been the most promising development within ODL?
Internationally I believe it would have to be OERu and New Zealand has the largest number of anchor partners who met in Dunedin, New Zealand in October 2011, see http://wikieducator.org/OERu
What has been the most promising development within ODL in your region in 2011?
From a DEANZ perspective it would have to be the production of the DEANZ 2016 scenario guide to tertiary education in 2016, in which ODL is fundamental. These future-focused resources are available now through the project blog at www.akoaotearoa.ac.nz/projects/2016-scenario-guide-effective-tertiary-education-new-zealand. Education leaders are encouraged to apply these scenarios to their planning for organisational and programme development. Social networking, workshops and conference inputs will continue to develop and disseminate these resources.
The research underpinning this project has identified trends of increasing customisation and standardisation from the contrasting perspectives of the tertiary institutions and those they serve. All four scenarios are likely to appear within five years. From the most conservative to the most radical they are:
1. Minimal change, due to: concentration of discipline-specific programmes or qualifications; lack of development of national agencies; research assessment etc
2. The “supermarket” with a massive range of courses and units of study/training; most effective where they engage with learners’ concerns, e.g. relevant upskilling
3. Quality, branded consortia bringing New Zealand education into the global market as a partner with an edge on creativity through diversity
4. Self-determination by students, as advisors and faculty recruit and work with mentors in employment and the community to provide mentored, quality-assured motivating contexts.
While ODL clearly fits within scenario 2, it is also a key aspect that enables to most innovative scenario of Self-determination by students.
Where do the main challenges lie in your region?
This region and Canterbury in particular have been challenged during 2011 with repeated earthquakes and that has resulted in the recognition of ODL and blended learning as a key strategy that is necessary for resilience. We have developed and researched that challenge, including world leading research in social media. For this reason our upcoming 2012 conference in April 2012 in Wellington, New Zealand, has the theme: 'Shift Happens' with three themes of resilience, relevance and reform. See http://www.deanz.org.nz/home/index.php/deanz-conference-2012 and we would be delighted to welcome ICDE colleagues to our conference.