Online learning for networked diplomats (putting it all together)

1. Online learning for networked diplomats (putting it all together) www.diplomacy.edu DiploFoundation Dejan Dincic

2. Content Practitioners' View! • Introduction:Diplo, Diplomacy, ICT, Distance Learning, Development…what is the connection? • The Case for OL • Course Design • Course Delivery • Organisational Issues

3. DiploFoundation … is a non-profit organisation which works to assist all countries, particularly those with limited human and financial resources, to participate meaningfully in international affairs, through education and training programs, research, and the development of information and communications technologies for diplomatic activities.

4. Diplomacy Diplomacy and Development?

5. Diplomacy Before…

6. Diplomacy … and today

7. Training and Education

8. Online Learning • The Case for OL • Course Design • Course Delivery • Organisation and Management

9. The case for OL • More than 50% of MFA staff abroad at all times • Access to computers and the Internet • Basic computer literacy • Civil society activists and other new actors usually experienced Internet users • Multi-stakeholder, multi-cultural audience desired • Flexibility of time • Integration with work – immersion

10. Audience • Majority from developing countries and countries in transition • Young professionals from government, civil society, media, private sector • More than 140 countries • http://www.diplomacy.edu/edu/alumni/map.htm

11. Alumni Map

12. Current Access Map

13. Courses • Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme • MA in Contemporary Diplomacy • PGD in Contemporary Diplomacy • Short Online Courses • Blended Courses (face-to-face, followed by online phase, which may be followed with participation in a real multilateral diplomatic event) • Regional Capacity Building Programmes

14. Courses (examples) • Language and Diplomacy • Internet Governance • Bilateral Diplomacy • … • New courses are being developed in cooperation with other organisations and experts (human rights, health diplomacy…)

15. Concept, Content • Topic experts: active and retired diplomats with strong academic background • Ethnic and cultural diversity – important to avoid western-centric view in global courses • Work with a support team combining educational, multimedia and software support

16. Delivery • Web based, in-house VLE • Creative use of text and light multimedia for low-bandwidth access • Good moderation! • Learner support! • Asynchronous, weekly cycle

17. Interactivity • Typical weekly schedule Time management is very important. Coordinator makes a difference.

18. Theory and Practice Combined

19. Textus Learning System • Facilitates collaboration (hypertext, blog, forums, online meetings) • Asynchronous, text-oriented, interactive • Includes advanced hypertext system

20. Advanced Hypertext Demo

21. Alternative Navigation

22. Collaboration

23. Organisational Issues • Moderators (course coordinators and tutors) recruited from alumni • De-centralised structure • Different time-zones • Different professional cultures • Accreditation • Work relevance

24. Conclusion and self-promotion • Small and agile organisations can delivery quality online education and training • The new learning organisation can be as innovative as the medium of delivery • In certain contexts: • smaller and more flexible = personal approach, less administrative burden • appropriate innovative practices • no compromise on educational standards

25. DiploFoundation www.diplomacy.edu