OUM Promotes New Learning Space and Courses under INSTA Module on Learning Approaches and Strategies for 21st Century at 2023 NST Exhibition by IAEA

Open University Malaysia (OUM) has been working together with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Nuclear Science Technology Academy (INSTA) to develop a new learning space and 10 courses. The courses are designed to facilitate experts in Nuclear Science and Technology (NST) towards enhancing their ability to educate their learners by meeting the needs of the 21st Century. The programme is being presented at the 2023 NST Education Exhibition. The virtual exhibition began on 24 January 2023 and will end on 10 February 2023. The exhibition has attracted various stakeholders, ranging from secondary school students, teachers, and tertiary learners to experts in NST from all around this region. The collaboration between OUM and IAEA was initiated by OUM President, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Izanee Awang, following an impromptu conversation in Vienna. A practical agreement has been signed between OUM and IAEA to ensure the realisation of the programme for educators. The programme was developed under the Office of Vice-President for Academic and Research, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Tajudin Md Ninggal through a partnership between the Centre for Research and Innovation and the Faculty of Education. The project is being realised through support from the Creative Team from the Centre for Instructional Design and Technology as well as a member from Digital Services. 

The INSTA Executive Programme for Educators: Module 1 on Learning Approaches and Strategies for the 21st Century offered by OUM, funded by the IAEA – being presented at the NST Exhibition by IAEA from 24 January 2023 to 10 February 2023. 

The development of the learning space and courses under the INSTA Module I at OUM are backed by research and development in four areas: Creative Content, Creative Learning Space, Creative Use of Technology, and Data-driven Learning Design. The 10 short courses include 8 education courses with 2 courses focusing on the use of design and technology to enhance education. One course focuses on Ethics in NST, and another on career in NST. 

The design of each course is done based on innovative pedagogy and supports personalised learning whereby content can be accessed via text, audio and visual. Each course is accompanied by an Open Educational Resource (OER) that was developed in-house to provide the ‘big picture’ of the course.  

The assessment for the courses combines Assessment as Learning and Assessment for Learning. Assessment for Learning requires course participants to create a material that they can use to create a work portfolio. They are provided with a tool and an additional resource to support their work.  

At present, each course is undergoing final testing before they are offered to participants from IAEA member states/countries in batches. Each delivery will be followed by data collection, course evaluation, and data-driven learning design improvement exercise. All participants will receive a certificate upon completing a course. 

Eventually, the courses will be open to all. OUM’s interest is in helping educators to create improved learning experiences for all their learners regardless of age.