OER university/Planning/OERu 2012 Prototype/Why sustainable practice/Design blueprint

Metadata summary

 * Level: NZQA Level 5 (First year course)
 * Discipline: Sustainable practice
 * Notional learning hours: 150 hours
 * Credits: 15
 * Local credential at your institution: A compulsory course (one of 4 courses) for the Certificate in Sustainable Practice (Level 5), with potential laddering to a Bachelor of Applied Management (Sustainable Practice) subject to final approval.

Intended target audience
''This programme is ideal for those who have an interest in sustainable practices and are looking to strengthen their knowledge and skills in this growing area. This could be for a future career pathway or as part of their professional development. The programme is also perfectly suited to those who want to implement sustainable practice within their business or organisation.''


 * Entry requirements: Entry to this programme is open.
 * The course is designed for learners to take a step towards sustainable practice in their industry, personal lives, individual businesses and communities.

Delivery model
Core learning materials will be designed for independent self study and hosted openly on WikiEducator. The course resources will be integrated into sequenced learning activities within an open learning management system. Course materials will include:


 * synchronized slide shows with audio providing introductions and overviews of the concepts,
 * reflective video activities based on open access videos hosted on the Internet
 * open access website resources and e-tivities
 * recommended reading resources
 * three compulsory questionnaires which assist in identifying key points covered in the course
 * Reflective journal (including both public and personal reflections)
 * Practical assignment for learners to demonstrate their understanding of issues of sustainable practice and how they affect organisations and businesses.

Assessment model
Assessment is based on an e-portfolio comprising two elements:


 * 20 reflective journal items selected by the learner covering a range of topics from the course. These may be selected from public or personal reflective posts and may take any form take any form, for example a blog, notes, a video, audio recordings or interviews.
 * Application assignment (the equivalent of 2000 words) where the learner identifies an organisation, community or project and demonstrates understanding of the following three concepts by applying them to the chosen example:
 * The Funnel – what are the past, present and emerging issues for the organisation - offer economic, social, environmental and political drivers of change.
 * System Conditions - describe how the organisation, community or project is adhering to or violating the system conditions of sustainable practice.
 * Backcasting - what does success look like for this organisation, community or project? Describe success as a vision and a short (2 paragraph) description of your chosen organisation.

Assessment weightings


 * Reflective journal: 25%
 * Application assignment: 75%

Authentication interview


 * OERu learners may be required to participate in a short telephonic interview with the assessor for authentication purposes.

Credentialing


 * Successful students will receive 15 credits and duly recorded on the student's academic transcript at Otago Polytechnic
 * Successful students will receive a certificate of accomplishment for the course.
 * Students will receive a copy of the assessment results including assessor comments.

Interaction strategies
The course will be offered in parallel mode where full-tuition students registered at Otago Polytechnic will receive tutorial support services. OERu learners will register for free and utilise the interaction strategies below. On payment of the prescribed assessment fee, OERu learners who wish to receive formal credit can acquire assessment services.

Student-content interactions
Course materials will include:


 * reflective conceptual activities and quizzes with online feedback
 * reflective learning journal activities
 * three compulsory online questionnaires

Student-student interactions

 * Students will be encourage to post one reflective blog each week
 * The course will incorporate reflective microblog posts or discussion forum posts.
 * The course will provide a live feed of the aggregated posts using the course keyword or hashtag.
 * An automated weekly html newsletter containing links to registered student blogs and discussion forum posts will be emailed to registered OERu learners.

Student-support interactions

 * Frequently asked questions web site hosted on the wiki where learners and academic volunteers can generate questions and answers.
 * OER learner support materials for technology support
 * General student help from academic volunteers on the microblog and discussion forum.

Learning outcomes / Graduate profile
Need to get a copy of the course learning outcomes.