International Distance Teaching at the University of Otago, NZ

Gordon Sanderson, HonFRCVS, MNZM
Senior Lecturer, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences
Otago Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago
New Zealand

October 17, 2007
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Davis Centre 1304, University of Waterloo

View Video of Presentation in HI Alive Archive: Research Seminars Archive 2007-2008

Abstract
International distance teaching is a growing area for most universities. In 2008, the University of Otago will offer over 50 papers to students residing overseas. When we first began teaching our distance papers, we used Blackboard as our Content Management System. It is well regarded in the literature and does a reasonably good job. It was only when we began our partnership with Sydney that we began to question its usefulness to us. The University of Sydney uses Web CT as its CMS and the two systems are not compatible. There seemed no easy way to amalgamate our teaching and yet continue to use different platforms until we were introduced to Oceanbrowser, which was developed as a result of a CS Masters project. It seemed to offer all that we were asking for and a lot more. We have since asked that a number of changes be made to Oceanbrowser such as: seamless content modification, on-line annotation and also access to our on-line forum and VOIP made available on the home page. At this seminar, I will demonstrate the use of Oceanbrowser.

About the Speaker
Gordon Sanderson is a Senior Lecturer in the Ophthalmology Section of the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences at the Otago Dunedin School of Medicine. He is also an adjunct professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His clinical interests include contact lenses and low vision, in particular children with low vision problems and electrophysiology. He is the Chairman of the New Zealand National Eye Bank; a Trustee of the Save Sight Society and of Glaucoma New Zealand; a former Chairman of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind; and Chairman of the NZ National Steering Committee on Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy. He is the only optometrist ever who is an honorary fellow of the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists. In 2006, he was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to visually impaired people.