News from Students and Alumni... (Fall'08-09)
Paul Blackman
Paul Blackman MDE (class of 2008) has just completed a one year assignment with the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network (CKLN) (http://www.ckln.org) a regional organization whose objective is “ to enhance the competitiveness of Caribbean countries, using information and communication technologies to connect the Caribbean to the global pool of knowledge, developing human resources and facilitating greater regional integration”.
He served as Institutional Strengthening Coordinator for Barbados, Guyana, Haiti, Suriname, Trindad and Tobago and his work involved helping tertiary level institutions in these countries to prepare to connect to the high speed network to be created by the CKLN by providing assistance in the areas of strategic planning, acquisition of hardware and training in facilitating onliner learning, designing, developing, and converting courses for delivery using the Open Source learning platform Moodle. He also served as e-tutor (adjunct professor) for the Open Campus of the University of the West Indies.
The project now moves into phase two which will result in the creation of a high speed network which will allow regional organisations to connect to other networks such as GEANT, CLARA and INTERNET 2 thus plugging what the CKLN CEO refers to as the digital hole in the Caribbean. The Caribbean network its to be called C@ribnet.
It was a highly rewarding experience allowing him to use the skills acquired in the MDE program to help institutions in the Caribbean manage and implement Open and Distance Learning. He has now returned to his substantive post at the Language Centre of the Barbados Community where is engaged in helping faculty to adapt their face to face courses for blended or fully online delivery and is also working with the ODL coordinator of the Barbados Community College on the creation of policies on ODL and the modification of the College’s strategic plan to reflect its move to make online course delivery an integral part of the school’s plan for course delivery.
(by Paul U.E. Blackman, B.A (hons) , M.D.E, Dip. Ed)
He served as Institutional Strengthening Coordinator for Barbados, Guyana, Haiti, Suriname, Trindad and Tobago and his work involved helping tertiary level institutions in these countries to prepare to connect to the high speed network to be created by the CKLN by providing assistance in the areas of strategic planning, acquisition of hardware and training in facilitating onliner learning, designing, developing, and converting courses for delivery using the Open Source learning platform Moodle. He also served as e-tutor (adjunct professor) for the Open Campus of the University of the West Indies.
The project now moves into phase two which will result in the creation of a high speed network which will allow regional organisations to connect to other networks such as GEANT, CLARA and INTERNET 2 thus plugging what the CKLN CEO refers to as the digital hole in the Caribbean. The Caribbean network its to be called C@ribnet.
It was a highly rewarding experience allowing him to use the skills acquired in the MDE program to help institutions in the Caribbean manage and implement Open and Distance Learning. He has now returned to his substantive post at the Language Centre of the Barbados Community where is engaged in helping faculty to adapt their face to face courses for blended or fully online delivery and is also working with the ODL coordinator of the Barbados Community College on the creation of policies on ODL and the modification of the College’s strategic plan to reflect its move to make online course delivery an integral part of the school’s plan for course delivery.
(by Paul U.E. Blackman, B.A (hons) , M.D.E, Dip. Ed)
Allison Kipta
Allison Kipta (MDE '08) has accepted employment with Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Solutions as a Customer Trainer, a position in which she writes technical documentation and develops, evaluates, and manages materials for instructor-led and web-based training. Ms. Kipta is an avid lifelong learner participates as a mentor in the MDE Buddy Program.
(by Allison Kipta)
(by Allison Kipta)