Online learning for networked diplomats putting it all together

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Online learning for networked diplomats (putting
it all together)

• www.diplomacy.edu
• DiploFoundation
• Dejan Dincic

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Content

• Practitioners' View!
• IntroductionDiplo, Diplomacy, ICT, Distance
  Learning, Developmentwhat is the connection?
• The Case for OL
• Course Design
• Course Delivery
• Organisational Issues

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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.

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Diplomacy

• Diplomacy and Development?

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Diplomacy

• Before

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Diplomacy

• and today

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• Training and Education

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Online Learning

• The Case for OL
• Course Design
• Course Delivery
• Organisation and Management

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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

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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

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Alumni Map
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Current Access Map
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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

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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)

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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

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Delivery

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

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Interactivity

• Typical weekly schedule

Time management is very important. Coordinator
makes a difference.
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Theory and Practice Combined
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Textus Learning System

• Facilitates collaboration (hypertext, blog,
  forums, online meetings)
• Asynchronous, text-oriented, interactive
• Includes advanced hypertext system

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Advanced Hypertext
Demo
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Alternative Navigation
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Collaboration
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Organisational Issues

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

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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

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DiploFoundation
www.diplomacy.edu