2018 - OpenLearning Conference 2018: Scaling Quality Education

Scaling Quality Education
The learning landscape is constantly shifting. Education systems worldwide look to technology as a means of adjusting to the demands of the fourth industrial revolution. Yet, one big question with educational technology is this: is it scalable, and are we scaling at the cost of quality?
This November, the OpenLearning Conference brings together thought leaders in the fields of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), learning design and education technology. Researchers, academics, and practitioners from around the world will converge in Kuala Lumpur to engage in lively discussions and share valuable insights on scaling quality education globally.
Be a part of the insightful keynote sessions, panel discussions, workshops and presentations of papers. Explore the key issues and practicalities of integrated technology in learning with the four topics we have selected this year.
We are continuously updating our conference agenda, so be sure to check back for the latest updates. We look forward to welcoming you in November!
#1 Theme - MOOCs in a Global Context
This theme explores the evolving frameworks which underpin the delivery of effective MOOCs, the increasing role of social connection and community in their design, and the factors which govern their value, success, and adoption globally. What makes a MOOC successful? What challenges do MOOCs alleviate or bring to the modern education system? And what are the best practices in producing world-class social MOOC experiences?
#2 Theme - Creating Effective Social Learning Experiences
Many approaches to the design and delivery of courses are content-focused and instructor-directed. This theme encourages researchers to look more closely at the social dynamics that can be fostered within courses to create a learner-centered experience, encouraging community-focused and self-directed experiences with creative course design and facilitation techniques. This theme also examines learning design best practice to produce activities catering to the emotional and motivational side of active, constructive, and socially interactive learning experiences.
#3 Theme - Next-generation Social Technologies and Analysis
Modern information and communication technologies such as social platforms, interactive devices, cloud computing, big data analytics, and machine learning systems shape how we interact with others, can give more detailed real-time insights into social dynamics, and may predict or influence community behaviours. This theme examines how these next-generation technologies may help shape teaching practices which encourage effective social learning interactions.
#4 Theme - Social Learning: Industry and Employability
On the cusp of a 4th industrial revolution, the future of work will require the workforce to adapt and learn new skills in a fast-moving technological landscape. Those who are adept at lifelong learning, able to teach themselves, and learn from each other will be at an even greater advantage. This theme investigates the future of work, the role of social learning methodologies in the workplace, and contemporary strategies to improve industry alignment and employability at scale - such as portfolios of demonstrable evidence of applied and social skills, micro-credentials, and methods of accreditation which encourage constructive, creative, and passionate self-expression within any community of practice.