System designed for lifelong learners
Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University recently launched its innovative online and on-site combined education system, which will support the cultivation of lifelong learners who are able to adapt to the challenges of the future.
Dubbed XJTLU Learning Mall, the innovative education platform includes quality online education brands, resources and services. Combined with the university's current on-site resources and facilities, it will explore new education models of engagement, in the hope of meeting society's future needs and supporting an innovation-driven lifestyle, said Xi Youmin, executive president of the university.
Xi said the XJTLU Learning Mall will be an aggregator of world-class online learning resources from premier global partners, who will be able to set up virtual as well as future onsite "storefronts" and provide learning services, including non-degree and noncredited courses, programmes and services, with support from the university.
For learners, both students and people from all areas of society can come to XJTLU Learning Mall to study based on their interests and needs.
Over the years, the university has made great efforts to develop online education programs, which form a solid foundation for further progress. The XJTLU Learning Mall is seen as a leap to a higher stage in its online and onsite, campus to community education strategy, and it will take the university to the next level, Xi said.
"The use of innovative, premier resources and technology will maximize the value of onsite education," Xi said. "On the other hand, the value of online education will also be magnified as the university's physical resources are synthesized with global online education resources."
Bill Boland, Director of the XJTLU Learning Mall, stressed that online education is not just teaching and delivering a lecture through a screen, which results in higher requirements for teachers.
"In this type of learning medium, educators should have a deeper understanding of how to successfully engage their students," Boland said. "They should understand there is a fundamental difference between online and on-site learning approaches and therefore adapt their instructional strategies to meet the needs of this new environment."
He said online education is designed to encourage students, many of whom are working professionals or have other commitments, to learn at their own pace when their schedule allows. In additional to the subject matter content, an online learning experience will enhance learners' abilities to identify problems and critically solve them independently, as well enhance their initiative and organizational planning skills.
As an example, during the optional online non-credit short course Developing Global Citizenship that was offered before the semester started, students were required to participate voluntarily and form groups. They were provided with a set of multimodal learning resources to encourage research-led learning. Supervising educators were also provided to guide the students.
The course is a prelude to the more than 490 modules successfully delivered via the university's online education platform, and includes online teaching and student-teacher interaction, group discussions and planning, remote guidance by supervising teachers and coursework assignments.
