I’ve been waiting for something authoritative to appear online, and Phil Ker’s post is it so far. Phil makes mention of the International Centre for Open Educational Resources (or will that be Reform?) to be established by Otago Polytechnic. From what I know, the Centre will be independent to the Polytechnic but the Polytechnic will partly fund it for its first 3 years. The Centre will be directed by Wayne Mackintosh after he exits the Commonwealth of Learning in April 2009. Wayne intends to make the Wikieducator project one of the primary projects of the Centre along with working towards finiancially sustaining the Centre within 3 years.
I’ve had very little to do with the planning of this Centre and it came as a surprise to me as much as anyone. My work will continue as normal in the Educational Development Centre in Otago Polytechnic – helping staff at Otago Polytechnic to understand OER, helping staff and students to develop new information literacies, and assisting in the development of new and existing courses at the Polytechnic. I will have little to do with the Centre apart from one of my professional expertise being OER, and so I imagine I will communicate with the Centre in terms of what Otago Polytechnic is doing as one of the many members of the Centre.
I hope the Centre will help to establish Open Educational Resources/Reform as common practice in New Zealand and Internationally.
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October 5, 2008 at 11:44 am
Sarah Stewart
It will be interesting to see how this develops.
October 5, 2008 at 3:20 pm
davidmcquillan
It was a bit funny that none of us knew about it before Phil’s blog post eh? But exciting, positive news. Is Wayne moving to Dunedin?
October 5, 2008 at 3:42 pm
leighblackall
Yes it is a bit funny Dave.. The first I knew about it was at eFest when Phil asked me to hand out fliers. Wayne and his family will be moving to Dunedin I think.
October 9, 2008 at 4:10 am
Nellie Deutsch
Leigh,
I share your “hope the Centre will help to establish Open Educational Resources/Reform as common practice in New Zealand and Internationally”.
Please keep me in mind for the international part.
Thank you.
Nellie
October 21, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Phil Ker
The concept for this Centre was initiated by Wayne himself, and his case was convincing – but actually an easier “sell” as a result of the work you have done at OP Leigh. My hope is that there will be a very close relationship between the work of the Centre and EDC, and that the Centre will reinforce the leadership that EDC and other staff at OP have provided in this area.
Cheers
Phil
February 28, 2009 at 1:00 pm
paulseiler
And now that Wayne is unpacking I am also keen to both see what happens and connect with him to make it so.
February 26, 2010 at 12:01 am
Radiology Degree
On a personal note, Wayne is leaving Vancouver to take on a post with the new International Centre for OER at Otago Polytechnic… Otago has already demonstrated their leadership with open learning (and it’s mind-blowing to ponder what kind of stuff Wayne and Leigh might get up to being at the same institution). It’s been a pleasure to interact with Wayne both here in Van Rock City and as a travel-mate for events elsewhere… and he will be missed on the wet coast. Happy trails Wayne!