Program Description 

In the introduction to a special issue of the International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning on e-learning in Asia, Dr. Insung Jung from International Christian University highlights the “Changing Faces of Open and Distance Learning in Asia.” She notes that there are 70 universities within Asia dedicated to open access to education. Among these are 7 of the 11 largest universities in the world; each with over 100,000 students.

In the midst of this growth and interest, some online programs and universities in Asia are experimenting with cross border relationships. Still Internet access and overcoming the digital divide remain concerns. Also vital within this explosion of e-learning in Asia are quality controls and valid forms of learning assessment.

This symposium will address a range of issues related to e-learning in Asia. It will do this through case studies of individual countries as well as explorations of trends in different regions. Participants will discuss their method(s) of delivering online education and provide insightful recommendations and suggestions.

The sectors addressed will include higher education as well as corporate training environments in Asia. Panelists will give their findings and conclusions to date as well as projections for the future. Symposium facilitators will find ways for participants to bond and form a community of learners.

Goals:

• Understand the range of e-learning initiatives in Asia;

• Meet Asian researchers, e-learning administrators, government officials, etc.;

• Understand new initiatives and trends in e-learning;

• Learn about innovations in e-learning across regions of Asia;

• Grasp the challenges and barriers facing different countries;

• Recognize and differentiate e-learning trends in Asia;

• Enjoy a day of listening, reflecting, discussing, thinking, and conversing with new colleagues and friends.

Plan: During key parts of the workshop, the audience will be grouped by common themes or interests.  These themes might include some of the following: students/learning, technology tools/Web 2.0, assessment and evaluation, instruction and facilitation, administration and management, motivation, blended learning, partnerships, open educational resources, future trends, innovation and creativity, and research. Participant notes and ideas will be catalogued in a wiki (Wikispaces) that everyone can access.

Currently 12 leading panelists participating from 12 different countries!

Tentative East Asia participant list
representing (Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, Philippines)

1. Okhwa Lee, Korea, Professor of Computer Education, Chungbuk National University (with experience at the Korea Educational Development Institute and Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)

2. Katsuaki Suzuki, Japan, Professor and Chair of Instructional Systems Program, Graduate School of Social and Cultural Sciences, Kumamoto University

3. Hsui-Ping Yueh, Taiwan, Associate Professor Department of Bio-Industry Communication and Development, Associate Director, Center for Teaching and Learning Development, National Taiwan University

4. ShengQuan Yu, China, Professor, Modern Education Technology Institute, Beijing Normal University

5. Melinda dela Pena-Bandalaria, Philippines, Associate Professor of Development Communication at the University of the Philippines Open University and concurrently the University Registrar of the U.P. Open University, Open University, Philippines

6. Ke Zhang, Assistant Professor, Wayne State University, USA (Note: she will present on e-learning in Taiwan, Japan, and China)

Tentative South and Southeast Asia participant list
representing (India, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore)

1. Sanjaya Mishra, Reader in Distance Education, Staff Training and Research Institute of Distance Education (STRIDE), Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi, India.

2. Thanomporn (Toh) Laohajaratsang, Thailand, Director, Information Technology Service Center,

 Chiang Mai University

3. Zoraini Wati Abas, Director, Centre for Quality Management and Research & Innovation (CQMRI), Malaysia, Open University Malaysia.

4. Siew-Mee Barton, Australia, (Note: She will present research on Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Turkey), Lecturer Business Communication, Burwood Campus Coordinator, School of Management and Marketing, Faculty of Business and Law, Deakin University Melbourne campus at Burwood

5. Zainal A. Hasibuan, Indonesia, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Indonesia

6. Daniel Tan, Associate Professor, Singapore, Director, Centre of Educational Development, Nanyang

Asia E-Learning Day Symposium Schedule (tentative)

Morning:

8:30-8:45    Brief Welcome to Symposium and Audience Interaction

8:45-9:45    E-learning in East Asia: Part One (2-3 speakers)

9:45-10:00  Audience interactions and wiki activity (Takeaway Task #1)

10:00-10:15 Break for tea and coffee

10:15-11:00  E-learning in East Asia: Part Two (2-3 speakers)

11:00-11:15  Audience interactions and wiki activity (Takeaway Task #2)

11:15-11:25  Facilitator and Special Guest Summary Comments

11:25-11:50  Audience questions for morning speakers

11:50-12:00  Morning Summary Activity and Intro to Afternoon Speakers

12:00-1:30    Lunch: Asia by topic type lunch at the hotel (1:00-1:30 can be spent in theme groups working on group takeaway task)

Afternoon:

1:30-2:15     E-learning in South Asia: Part One (2-3 speakers)

2:15-3:00     E-learning in South Asia: Part Two (2-3 speakers)

3:00-3:15     Break for tea and coffee

3:15-3:20     Short audience interactions and wiki activity (Takeaway Task #3)

3:20-3:25     Facilitator and Special Guest Summary Comments

3:25-3:45     Audience questions for afternoon Speakers (includes break)

3:45-4:30     The Asia E-Learning Challenge: 99 Super Summaries of the Day

Closing Panel of All Presenters and All Theme Group Leaders
(Includes: 99 second summaries of what each speaker heard during the day and 99 second summaries of what each theme group worked on)

4:30-4:45     Final comments from facilitators and audience

Post Session:

5:00-6:00     Special ending reception/social event

Cost: 

Symposium registration is $165 USD and includes morning and afternoon beverage breaks, lunch, and reception.