Virtual University of Pakistan WorldClass Education at your

Virtual University of Pakistan “World-Class Education at your Doorstep”

Vision To become an internationally acclaimed technologybased university that improves access to higher education while maintaining the highest quality standards. Mission To provide the highest quality of education to all aspiring students irrespective of their age, gender, religion, and geographical location by using modern ICT. To provide the best working environment to faculty and staff to create a culture of research, innovation and cooperation with unhindered access to all educational resources.

Journey of Success so far… Established in 2002 Over 300, 000 students till date Over 70, 000 graduates More than 200 campuses Presence in 130 cities of the country More than 11000 students (overseas Pakistani) from 100 countries of the world

VU’s Unique Features Pioneer in ICT-based education through broadcast television and internet Indigenously developed LMS Robust, highly efficient and transparent examination system Over 18 years of continues progression and evolution; VU has developed a unique experiential resources providing an unprecedented vantage point Another notable success of VU is its Digi. Skill. pk program for providing freelancing trainings developed on VU’s model. The project was a phenomenal success and achieved its targets of providing 1 million trainings well before the designated timelines. Due to this exceptional success the Government of Pakistan has extended this project

Flipped Classroom Model An Overview

Traditional / Conventional Classroom Teachers: Lecturing Students: Listening The Method of Conventional Teaching Lecture Class Activities Home Result of Conventional Teaching Teachers: Still Lecturing Students: Exhausted

Problem and Solution The Problem: Students: Passive Learners Teachers: Sage on the Stage The Solution: Students: Active Learners Teachers: Guide on the Side

Flipped Classroom Definition “The flipped classroom is a pedagogical model in which the typical lecture and homework elements of a course are reversed. Short video lectures are viewed by students at home before the class session, while in-class time is devoted to exercises, projects, or discussions. ” (Educause, 2012)

Flipped Classroom is A mean to increase teacher contact time An environment that increases student responsibility Blending of direct instruction and constructivist learning A class where all students are engaged in their learning

Flipped Classroom is not Just online videos About replacing teachers with videos An online class Students working without structure Students working in isolation Students spending the entire class online

Bloom’s taxonomy Creating After Class Evaluating Analysing During Class Applying Understanding Before Class Remembering

Flipped classroom: VU perspective Initially courses of practical natures can be selected as a pilot study from each department like programming, math, stat, economics etc. It will be more effective if video lectures of selected courses meets the criteria of Flipped Classroom. Initially Small Courses will be effective for analysing and developing the strategy. A platform need to be identified which will be used for student activities management as it will be online in our case.

Micro-credentials The futuristic approach

Micro-credentials are miniqualifications, diplomas, certifications in which learners are required to complete a certain number of activities, assessments, or projects related to the topic to earn the certificate. Non-degree micro-credentials tend to be very specific in terms of skills development and it is the need of the hour due to emerging technologies and the education associated with them.

Micro-credentials What are Micro-Credentials? Micro-credentials can be awarded for soft and hard skills. Educational institutions needs to understand that ever changing world needs quick professional development and degree programs are usually long.

Micro-credentials The emerging technological interventions create demand for new technical and professional skills, expertise, talent. Educators develop mini-qualifications, diplomas, certifications i. e. Micro. Credentials to meet the demand of industry. In this regard the Online Distance Learning Models are deemed to be the most relevant. As individuals cannot go back to educational institutes every now and then and cannot give up their professional obligations

Micro-credentials Presence of online education (AAOU) Digital platform emergence and leading universities collaboration (Coursera, Edx, Udacity) Professional certification offered and required by leading business giants Acceptance of digital certification/ badge by the industry Boundary-less educational and skills development Competitive workplaces

Micro-credentials What preparations are required? Strong academia and industry linkage Bringing professionals/industrialist for content development Joint ventures with leading digital platforms e. g. Coursera, Edx, Udacity Advance Learning Management System with more learner’s engagement Digital video production expertise for producing effective audio video contents Contemporary pedagogy for assessment to award Micro-credentials digital badge/certification

Micro-credentials How VU is offering Micro-credentials? Specialization Certificate Designed for graduates having 16 year of education who want to learn new specialization Eighteen (18) weeks duration Examples Banking Specialization Finance Specialization Human Resource Management Specialization Marketing Specialization

Micro-credentials How VU is offering Micro-credentials? Accounting, Banking & Finance English Certificate Course(s) for professionals Development Economics Humanities Distribution Computer Science/Information Technology Law Management Marketing Mathematics Physics Probability and statistics Psychology Sociology Designed for Certificate Course(s) for professionals working in the industry Eighteen (18) weeks duration

Micro-credentials VU Future plans for Micro-Credentials Academia & industry linkage MOUs and collaborations with leading digital platforms Development of AAOU digital platforms for Micro-credentials

MOOCs and the Future of E-Learning The concept arose due to the advent of technology, especially the Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) The theoretical foundation lies in the idea of “Connectivism” The exponential increase in the power of connectivity through technologies like 5 G, telepresence and many more are paving way to an unprecedented need for MOOC and similar platforms The Covid-19 scenario has thrusted the need for shared and diverse resources

MOOCs and the Future of E-Learning The shift in the paradigm shift The gig economy and crowd sourcing Free and open access to educational resources Emerging and hybrid disciplines Disruptive technologies Ubiquitous yet unique Requires bespoke instructional courses

VU’s opencourseware site won the award for the best OCW site MOOCs enable synthesis of knowledge Provides richer more diverse perspectives Can be recorded and offered in multiple ways

The pandemic has paved way to a new normal that relies heavily on ICTs for everyday businesses Post Covid_19 Education is no different and almost all countries of the world have shifted to online teaching by utilizing internet and broadcast TV channels VU was the only institution of the country that could mange uninterrupted education without compromising any aspect of its education and quality standards VU provided support to many other institutions by sharing its LMS and sharing resources

Concluding Remarks ODL in general and similar models like VU ae the solution to all strategic, operational and academic challenges It is justified to invest resources in Educational Technologies and share experiential knowledge with each AAOU is doing a tremendous job by bringing all relevant stakeholders on board

Thank you