The Open University of Hong Kong: Interactivity as a Key Issue

Part1: The Open University of Hong Kong


The Open University of Hong Kong is one of those promising universities providing sub-degree, degree and postgraduate courses through an open access system and distance education.The university has provided different services to support various kinds of interaction as an integral part of the process of effective distance education.
These services could be categorized according to the types of the interaction it support:


1. Learner –instructor interaction:

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Tutorial support systems: telephone tutorials, recorded voice-mail answers to FAQs, bulletin boards, Web pages that include discussion fields, and on-line conferencing.

E-mail: the students will be provided an e-mail account as the tutor will use email to let the students know of any special announcements, course-related information or changes to tutorial schedules.

Discussion forums to provide students with the ability to contact their instructors by asking questions and receive answers.

An electronic assignment handling system: which enable the students to send their assignments electronically to their instructors and receive timely feedback from them.

2. Learner –learner interaction:
Previously mentioned services in learner- instructor type of interaction are also provided to support the interaction among the learners themselves by repurposing the services as follows:

• Tutorial support systems: electronic discussion groups for students (with input from tutor), e-mail discussion between students, Web pages that include discussion fields, and on-line conferencing.
  
• E-mail: the students will be provided an e-mail account to contact their classmates as they work collaboratively in course-related assignments and projects.
  
• Discussion forums to provide students with a space to discuss information related to the studied courses.
  

3. Learner –content interaction:

Web based content management system: assist the instructor in monitoring and managing the learning activities as well as allowing the students to access the course materials and interact with.

References:

-S.Choy, S.Chung, Y.Tsang,”Software Agents to Assist in Distance Learning Environments”, Educause Quarterly, 2005, PP.34-40.

-Student's Use of Tutorial Support at OUHK.(n.d).Retrived September17, 2008 from http://www.ouhk.edu.hk/WCM/?FUELAP_TEMPLATENAME=tcSingPage&ITEMID=CCCRIDALCONTENT_493793

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