Curtin University plans to extend its global reach through a collaboration with one of the world’s leading education platforms.
The University has been accepted to join edX, a consortium of elite higher education institutions established by Harvard and MIT universities in 2012, which offers interactive online classes and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs).
EdX partners include many of the world’s top ranked universities and are recognised for their cutting-edge technologies, innovative pedagogy, and have a reputation for offering the best of higher education online.
Curtin’s partnership with edX expands the consortium’s range of offerings with MOOCS in Mining, Digital Marketing and Transmedia Storytelling due for release in the next 12 months.
Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said Curtin was the only Western Australian university in the edX Consortium, and only the fourth in Australia.
“Curtin is transforming its learning experience to become an international leader in education and research, and becoming a member of the edX consortium opens many opportunities for Curtin to collaborate in teaching and learning with leading international universities,” Professor Terry said.
“The partnership will enhance our campus-based teaching and learning and build a global community of online learners who will be actively engaged with Curtin.
“We are creating new pathways to education that certify and integrate formal and informal learning through flexible learning opportunities that integrate existing MOOCs with online degree programs. To be competitive, Curtin must become global while being innovative and progressive.”
The first Curtin MOOC to be launched on edX, will be The Business of Mining in mid-June.
The Business of Mining MOOC has been developed in collaboration with leading industry and education experts. It uses interactive challenge-based techniques to provide an introduction to the lifecycle of mining, from exploration, through to mine planning, operation and closure.
The MOOC provides a high-level introduction for non-operational staff, as well as government employees, suppliers and other contractors supporting the industry.
“It will be a valuable teaching and learning resource for the industry that showcases WA’s mining excellence and promotes awareness and understanding of the complexities and fragility of the minerals, exploration and business sectors,” Professor Terry said.
Curtin’s approach to learning adopts a mix of traditional and digital media across multiple platforms to challenge conventional thought and encourage learning through exploration and collaboration.
The next generation of digital learning is a highly interactive experience that leverage social networks, game and challenge-based learning designs, and new forms of recognition such as badges.
The Minister for Finance; Mines and Petroleum, the Honourable Bill Marmion and edX’s President Wendy Cebula, who flew in from the United States, announced the edX collaboration and the MOOC at a special event last night.
