SEAMEO Secretariat SEAMEO Secretariat

30 August 2023, 15.00-16.00 GMT+7, BKK Time



The International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) and The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) jointly recognise the widespread integration of Open, Flexible, and Distance Learning (OFDL) within diverse educational contexts, spanning elementary, secondary, and tertiary levels. The pervasive reach of the internet and the accessibility of technology have catalysed a surge in the demand for web-based pedagogy across nations. Educational institutions worldwide employ a myriad of communication methodologies to foster effective learning.

Globally, over 1.3 billion students lack internet access at home. Southeast Asia, with a burgeoning digital economy and 400+ million internet users, presents a dynamic market. However, while over 70% of the region enjoys internet connectivity, countries like Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste still lack home access. Consequently, despite economic growth, self-reported digital literacy among Southeast Asian youth remains low, even as the region aims to boost its online economy.

As per the SEAMEO Journal (2018), online learning platforms face significant hurdles in Southeast Asian colleges. These include high initial costs, sustainability concerns, post-completion employment recognition, limited professional advancement, academic institutions' credit transfer involvement, and ensuring platform quality assurance. Therefore, it is essential to reorganise online programmes like OFDL in order to support educational systems in recovering from learning loss and becoming dynamic changes we are witnessing.

About this Webinar

This webinar centers on understanding the impact of online learning on student motivation and offers insights into effectively supporting online learners. It serves 2 main objectives:

  • Exchange experiences, best practices, and strategies for OFDL in Southeast Asia.
  • Offer recommendations for reimagining OFDL programmes in Higher Education Institutions.

The webinar showcases the following speakers and their respective topics:

 

SEAMEO Secretariat

OVERVIEW & FUTURE GOALS OF OFDL
Ms Torunn Gjelsvik
Secretary General

International Council for Open and Distance Education
(ICDE)

SEAMEO Secretariat

ONLINE LEARNING: RE-THINKING PEDAGOGICAL APPROACH
Prof Cheah Horn Mun
Dean of College of Interdisciplinary & Experiential Learning

Singapore University of Social Sciences
(SUSS)

SEAMEO Secretariat

MOVING FORWARD WITH OFDL: KEY FINDINGS
Dr Kamaleswaran Jayarajah
Research, Evaluation & Assessment Specialist

SEAMEO Secretariat
Bangkok, Thailand

SEAMEO Secretariat

REIMAGINING ONLINE, FLEXIBLE AND DISTANCE LEARNING (OFDL) FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Dr Myra C. Almodiel
Director of Public Affairs Office

University of the Philippines Open University
(UPOU)


Programme

15:00 Welcome Message
Datuk Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim
Director of SEAMEO Secretariat
15:03 Overview & Future Goals of OFDL
Ms Torunn Gjelsvik
Secretary General of ICDE
15:06 Moving Forward with OFDL: Key Findings
Dr Kamaleswaran Jayarajah
Research, Evaluation & Assessment Specialist
SEAMEO Secretariat
15:15 Q&A by Moderator
Mr Garry Pawitandra Poluan
Learning Innovation & Information Specialist
SEAMEO Secretariat
15:20 Online Learning: Re-thinking Pedagogical Approach
Prof Cheah Horn Mun
Dean of the College of Interdisciplinary & Experiential Learning
Singapore University of Social Sciences
15:30 Q&A by Moderator
Mr Garry Pawitandra Poluan
Learning Innovation & Information Specialist
SEAMEO Secretariat
15:35 Reimagining Online, Flexible and Distance Learning (OFDL) for Higher Education in Southeast Asia
Dr Myra C. Almondiel
Director of Public Affairs Office
University of the Philippines Open University
15:45 Q&A by Moderator
Mr Garry Pawitandra Poluan
Learning Innovation & Information Specialist
SEAMEO Secretariat
15:55 Synthesis & Closing Message
Mr John Arnold Siena
Deputy Director (Programme & Development)
SEAMEO Secretariat

 

SEAMEO Secretariat