UPCOMING EVENTS
RECENT EVENTS
Key conferences and workshops hosted by the Chair
Keynote address by Daniel Burgos at the 7th International Self-Directed Learning Conference Pecan Manor, Hartbeespoort: Enhancing and leveraging self-directed learning: Self-Directed Learning meets Generative AI. Clash, synergy, and ethics
- Workshop 1: How to make a winning project proposal
- Workshop 2: Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and Open Education. A practical approach
- Prestige lecture and workshops at the North-West University by Prof. Egon Werlen (Co-chair UNESCO Chair of Personalised and Adaptive Distance Education), Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences (FFHS), Brig, Switzerland. 27 March – 5 April 2023.
- Prestige Lecture: Self-control tasks and self-directed learning: About learning strategies and learning outcome
- Workshop 1: Emotions and self-directed learning
- Workshop 2: Metacognitive self-reflection on the correctness of open-ended questions
- Online prestige lecture and workshop at the North-West University by Prof. Trudi E. Jacobson, State University of New York at Albany, USA and Prof. Thomas P. Mackey, State University of New York, Empire State College, USA – 17 August 2023, 5 September 2023.
- Prestige Lecture: Combining Metaliteracy and Multimodality to Develop Metaliterate Producers
- Workshop: Adapting Metaliteracy OER to Multimodal Teaching and Learning Practices
Prestige lecture and workshops at the North-West University by Prof. Trudi E. Jacobson, State University of New York at Albany, USA and Prof. Thomas P. Mackey, State University of New York, Empire State College, USA – 19-20 September 2019.
Workshops and presentations at the North-West University by Prof. Tel Amiel, UNESCO Chair in Distance Education, University of Brasília, Brazil (Co-hosted by the NWU Centre for Teaching and Learning) – 12-14 November 2019.
Workshops and presentations at the North-West University by Prof. Daniel Burgos, UNESCO Chair on eLearning, International University of La Rioja, Spain (Co-hosted by the NWU Centre for Teaching and Learning) – 18-21 November 2019.
Workshops and presentations at the North-West University by Prof. Rory McGreal, UNESCO/ICDE Chair in Open Educational Resources, Athabasca University, Canada (Co-hosted by the NWU Centre for Teaching and Learning) – 1-6 March 2020.
Co-hosted webinar together with Prof. Ruksana Osman - UNESCO Chair in Teacher Education for Diversity and Development. Webinar presented by David Wiley (Lumen Learning, Simon Fellow at Carnegie Mellon University & Brigham Young University. USA) entitled Renewable Assignments: The New Pedagogical Possibilities of Open Educational Resources – 23 October 2020.
Hosted webinar by Prof. Mitja Jermol (UNESCO Chair holder for Open Technologies for Open Educational Resources and Open Learning): Opening up Education with Artificial Intelligence – 2 March 2021.
21 July 2021 15:00-16:00 Prestige lecture: Disrupted Classes. Undisrupted Learning: Integration of informal learning and open resources to boost education in times of crises (Daniel Burgos, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Spain)
Other conferences/organizational activities undertaken by the Chairholder
Keynote address by Dorothy Laubscher: 7th International Self-Directed Learning Conference Pecan Manor, Hartbeespoort (6 – 8 November 2024): Showcasing open education: Multimodal approaches to foster self-directed learning
Panellist at UNESCO Chairs and Partners Forum: Transforming Knowledge for Africa’s Future titled China-Africa policy dialogue on AI in Education (AIED): Transforming future African education through responsible and human-centred AIED in Addis Ababa. Invited by UNESCO Chair on Artificial Intelligence in Education at Beijing Normal University
Keynote address by Jako Olivier: International Conference on Digital Content Management, Iran (online) (17 May 2021): Research ethics for digital content management in a multimodal context: data analytics and the evanescence of research participants.
Two presentations by Jako Olivier at the University of Namibia (Windhoek, 1 April 2019):
- Instructional equivalence and intersemiotic translation: multimodal learning through face-to-face and online modalities
- A multiliteracies framework for self-directed learning by means of OER
Keynote address by Jako Olivier: NADEOSA (National Association of Distance Education and Open Learning in South Africa) Annual Conference, Roodepoort (3-5 July 2019): Diffractive pathways in multimodal self-directed learning towards demiurgic access to open education practices.
Keynote address by Jako Olivier: International Conference on Information Literacy (ICIL), Vanderbijlpark (23-25 September 2019): Information ethics literacy for self-directed multimodal learning through open educational resources.
A selection of conference presentations by the Chairholder and other colleagues
Laubscher, D.J. 2024. Embarking on OER Quality Assurance through Self-Directed Learning. International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences (IISES), May 2024, Vienna Austria.
Bosch, C., Pheelwane, O., & Mdakane, M. (2024, November 6). Equipping educators to facilitate self-directed blended learning in STEM classrooms. 7th International Self-Directed Learning Conference, Hartbeespoort, South Africa.
Van der Walt, L., & Bosch, C. (2024, November 6). Co-creating OERs in computer science education to foster intrinsic motivation. 7th International Self-Directed Learning Conference, Hartbeespoort, South Africa.
Bosch, C., Van der Walt, L., Molokwane, O., & Mbele, N. (2024, November 7). Empowering students through self-directed co-creation: The development of a computer science open textbook. 7th International Self-Directed Learning Conference, Hartbeespoort, South Africa.
Bosch, C., & Kruger, D. (2024, June 22–23). AI chatbots as open educational resources: Enhancing student agency and self-directed learning. International Conference on Education and E-Learning, Port Louis, Mauritius.
Sibanda, J., Els, C.J., Mdakane, M & Laubscher, D.J. 2024. Advancing Teachers' Professional Competence: A Review of Self-Directed, Problem-Based, and Technology-Integrated Learning. 7th International SDL conference, Hartbeespoort, 6 – 8 November 2024.
Mafa, R.K. & Laubscher, D.J. 2024. Technologies to foster self-directed learning (SDL) through open educational resources (OER) in an online learning environment. 7th International SDL conference, Hartbeespoort, 6 – 8 November 2024.
Sekano, K.G., Laubscher, D.J. & Bailey, R. 2024. Fostering Self-Directed Learning in Mathematics Education: Empowering Students through Technology-Supported Cooperative Learning. 37th Annual International Self-Directed Learning Symposium in February 6-10, 2024 (Online)
Laubscher, D.J., Lubbe, A., van Zyl, S., Verster, M., Mentz, E., Havenga, M., Bunt, B. 2024. Design and Implementation of a Massive Open Online Course on Self-Directed Learning (SDL) to Support the Development of Self-Directed Learning Disposition. 7th International SDL conference, Hartbeespoort, 6 – 8 November 2024.
Presentation by Judicial Sebatana on teacher training of use of Open Education Resources for teaching and learning of Physical Sciences to the Inter-provincial Seminar for Mathematics, Science and Technology Curriculum Innovation and E-Learning Unit of Department of Basic of Education, 11-13 June 2024, Hosted in by North-West Department of Education in Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp.
Bosch, C. 2023. Lessons learned in facilitating cooperative learning in large online distance courses to enhance self-directed learning. International Conference on Educational and E-Learning, Rome, June 2023.
Laubscher, DJ & Bosch, C. 2023. Cooperative Learning in online groups: A design-based approach. The Future of Education Conference 13th Edition, Florence, Italy, 29 – 30 June 2023.
Bosch, C & Laubscher D.J. 2023. Creating Open educational resources as renewable assessments in self-directed blended learning environments. The Future of Education Conference 13th Edition, Florence, Italy, 29 – 30 June 2023.
Laubscher, D.J. & Bosch, C. 2023. Open Educational Resources as renewable assessments: Implications for students’ intrinsic motivation. 6th International SDL conference, Hartbeespoort, 1 – 3 November 2023.
Werlen, E., & Laubscher, D. 2023. Think, speak, and reflect! Deeper learning with self-control tasks and voice input. EAPRIL 2023 Conference: One for all, all for one: Building bridges by working together. Belfast, Northern Ireland, November 22 - 24, 2023.
- Open Education Week: 24-Hour Global CC Network Web-a-thon (Online, 5 March 2019) presentation by Jako Olivier: Exploring the multiliteracies to support access to OER in South Africa.
- International conference paper by Jako Olivier at Approaches to Multimodal Digital Environments: from theories to practices (A-MODE), Rome, Italy (20-22 June 2019) – paper: Situated and culturally appropriate self-directed multimodal learning for education students at a South African university.
- Presentation by Jako Olivier on online language platforms at the launch of the VIVA Language and Language Teaching portal (Virtuele Instituut vir Afrikaans (VivA) Taalportaal en Taalonderrigportaal) for Afrikaans which also includes open educational resources. (Online, 21 May 2020).
- Dhakulkar, A. & Olivier, J. 2020. Research trends on open education in Southern Africa since 2010: a systematic review and implications. Creative Commons Global Summit, 19-23 October 2020.
- Olivier, J. 2020. Only the lecturer knows best (not!): exploring the role of distant education students’ voices in terms culturally appropriate self-directed multimodal learning. NWU 3rd Annual Teaching and Learning Conference 2020, 27-29 October 2020
VISIT FROM EXTRAORDINARY PROFESSOR OF THE RESEARCH UNIT SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING - PROF DANIEL BURGOS (NOVEMBER 2024)
Prof. Daniel Burgos, an extraordinary professor in the Research Unit Self-Directed Learning and Chair Holder of the UNESCO Chair on eLearning, at the International University of La Rioja (UNIR), Spain, visited at the North-West University in November 2024. Prof. Burgos delivered a keynote address at the 7th International Self-Directed Learning Conference at Pecan Manor in Hartbeespoort. He also presented two workshops during his visit to South Africa.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT THE 7TH INTERNATIONAL SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING CONFERENCE
Prof. Dorothy Laubscher had the privilege of delivering a keynote address at the 7th International Self-Directed Learning Conference, held at Pecan Manor in Hartbeespoort in November 2024. Her presentation, titled Showcasing Open Education: Multimodal Approaches to Foster Self-Directed Learning, explored how open educational practices and multimodal learning strategies can be used to promote self-directed learning.
- PANELLIST AT THE UNESCO CHAIRS AND PARTNERS FORUM: TRANSFORMING KNOWLEDGE FOR AFRICA’S FUTURE, ADDIS ABABA (SEPTEMBER 2024).
- Prof. Dorothy Laubscher was invited by Prof. Ahmed Tlili, UNESCO Chair on Artificial Intelligence in Education at Beijing Normal University, to serve as a panellist at the UNESCO Chairs and Partners Forum: Transforming Knowledge for Africa’s Future, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She participated in the panel discussion titled China–Africa Policy Dialogue on AI in Education (AIED): Transforming Future African Education through Responsible and Human-Centred AIED.
NWU OPEN ACCESS WEEK 2024
Prof. Dorothy Laubscher was invited to present at the NWU Open Access Week in 2024. Her presentation, titled Innovative Uses of Open Educational Resources: Connecting Classrooms, Research, and Communities, explored the transformative potential of OER to create far-reaching impacts across teaching and learning, community engagement, and research. She highlighted how open resources can serve as powerful tools for fostering collaboration, enhancing access, and driving innovation in higher education.
THE FUTURE OF OPEN EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICAN HIGHER EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM, UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA (JUNE 2024)
- Prof. Dorothy Laubscher co-organised the Future of Open Education in South African Higher Education Symposium, hosted at the University of Cape Town on 12 June 2024. The event was held in collaboration with Prof. Glenda Cox, UNESCO Chair in Open Education and Social Justice, and Prof. Mpine Makoe, former Commonwealth of Learning Chair in Open Education Practices and Resources at the University of South Africa. The symposium brought together scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to explore emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in advancing open education within the South African higher education landscape.
NWU OPEN ACCESS WEEK 2023
Prof. Laubscher, UNESCO Chair on Multimodal Learning and OER at NWU, participated in the NWU Open Access Week programme in 2023. Her presentation focused on the role of open educational resources (OER) in assessment and learning. She emphasised how both OER and open access contribute to a more inclusive and equitable educational landscape, one in which access to knowledge is not limited by financial barriers or geographic location.
VISIT FROM EXTRAORDINARY PROFESSOR OF THE RESEARCH UNIT SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING - PROF EGON WERLEN (APRIL 2023)
Prof. Egon Werlen, an extraordinary professor in the Research Unit Self-Directed Learning and Deputy Chair Holder of the UNESCO Chair on Personalized and Adaptive Distance Education visited at the North-West University in April 2023. Prof. Werlen presented two workshops and a prestige lecture and met with colleagues at all three campuses during his visit to South Africa.
From left: Prof. Egon Werlen (Deputy Chair Holder of the UNESCO Chair on Personalized and Adaptive Distance Education), Prof Dorothy Laubscher (UNESCO Chair on Multimodal learning and OER) and Prof Elsa Mentz (Director: Research Unit Self-Directed Learning).
OPEN EDUCATION WEEK 2022
The UNESCO Chair on Multimodal Learning and OER celebrated the 10th year of the Open Education Week (https://oeweek.oeglobal.org/).
For 2022 the Chair was involved in the following events:
- Hosting of the Prestige Lecture by Thomas P. Mackey and Trudi E. Jacobson: Open Pedagogy and Metaliteracy Tuesday 8 March 2022.
- Colloquium: Creating open content in the Global South: A dialogue between Lebanon and South Africa
Presenters: Jako Olivier (North-West University, South Africa) & Eugene Sensenig (Notre Dame University, Lebanon) Wednesday 9 March 2022.
- Webinar 'OER for Microlearning' as part of the Open Education Week, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 10 March 2022. Presentations by myself, Prof. Rory McGreal (UNESCO/ICDE Chair in OER), Dr Wayne Mackintosh (UNESCO Chair in OER), Prof. Mpine Makoe (Commonwealth of Learning Chair in Open Education Practices/Resources) and Dr Rami Alsakran (Saudi Arabia Deputy General Director for Planning & Development, National eLearning Center).
UNESCO CHAIR KEYNOTE AT THE OPEN ACCESS WEEK 2018
Prof. Jako Olivier, UNESCO Chair on Multimodal Learning and Open Educational Resources, presented the opening keynote address at the NWU library's colloquium for the Open Access Week 2018 on 22 October. The theme of this globally celebrated event for this year was designing equitable foundations for open knowledge. Prof. Olivier presented a paper entitled "Being able to read open educational resources: exploring multiliteracies in support of equitable open knowledge".
UNESCO CHAIR VISIT TO BOTSWANA NOVEMBER 2018
Prof. Jako Olivier visited the Botswana Open University and the University of Botswana on 19 and 20 November 2018 as part of the networking responsibilities of the UNESCO Chair on Multimodal Learning and Open Educational Resources. The visit included a presentation to the staff of the Botswana Open University on Open Educational Resources, meetings with deans and Prof. Frank Youngman (BOU Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic Services) as well as discussions with research collaborators and potential postgraduate students.
VISIT TO NAMIBIA: APRIL 2019
Prof. Jako Olivier had the privilege to visit the University of Namibia (UNAM) earlier in April 2019 in order to explore collaboration opportunities in terms of the research done as part of the UNESCO Chair. He presented two lectures on Monday: one on multiliteracies within the context of self-directed learning and the use of open educational resources (OER) and one on equivalence in contact and distance modes of delivery. Furthermore, he had discussions with the staff of UNAM's Centre for Open, Distance and eLearning (CODeL) as well as the Deputy Dean and some staff members of their Faculty of Education.
NWU OPEN ACCESS WEEK 2019
The UNESCO Chair on Multimodal Learning and OER took part in the NWU's Open Access Week programme for 2019 with a presentation entitled, Towards lingual equity: the language of open knowledge. The photograph below shows the speakers at the event in Potchefstroom on 21 October 2019.
From left: Prof. Jako Olivier (UNESCO Chair on Multimodal learning and OER), Dr Mathew Moyo (NWU Chief Director Library and Information Service), Dr Pierre de Villiers (AOSIS), Ms Valencia Wagner (SADiLar) and Prof. Andries van Aarde (AOSIS).