ICL Workshop 02

Developing sustainable e-learning programmes - from a National Skills perspective

Prof Rhena Delport, University of Pretoria

The global shortage of critical and scarce skills necessitates the development of learning programmes that are suitably developed and accommodate large numbers of students. Graduates do not seem to fulfil employer expectations, which implies that current programmes need to be re-curriculated or that top-up programmes should be provided. This workshop focuses on how to go about ‘reading’ the education and labour landscape and aligning programmes offered by public and private institutions with identified skills needs. The content is presented within the South African context.

Objectives:

At the end of the workshop you will be able to

Identify and define national skills needs and learning opportunities;
Ensure that new programmes are aligned with national education and training priorities;
Appropriately ‘package’ distance learning programmes at distinctive levels; and
Assess your ‘readiness’ as provider of distance learning programmes.

Knowledge expected of participants:

It is anticipated that private developers of e-learning materials or academics that do curriculum development may like to attend the workshop. Being informed about the outcomes-based teaching approach will facilitate meaningful discussion. Sharing of information and experiences is encouraged.

The Instructor:

During a 15 year career as medical scientist Rhena Delport received an MSc in Physiology and a Doctorate in Chemical Pathology. She pursued an interest in web-supported learning and completed a Masters in Computer-assisted Education in 2004. Rhena was appointed as education advisor to the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences for a period of six years and since November 2006 she heads the Skills Laboratory of the Faculty of Health Sciences. She is author and co-author of 60 publications in medicine and education and her current educational research interests concern amongst others medical skills training in a resource-enriched environment.