As an open and distance learning university, OUM has been developing the e-learning platform and e-learning materials since it was officially launched in 2001.
Over the past decade, as part of its e-learning initiative, OUM has successfully developed the myVLE platform and produced such varied materials as eModules, HTML interactive media, iLecture, iRadio Learning Segments, and MP3 Audiobooks.
The exciting news is that all these materials will be collated and soon be made available to learners, potential learners and the teaching staff through an "app" that connects to the forthcoming OUM Virtual Store. OUM expects its Virtual Store to be soft-launched in December 2012.
OUM's Virtual Store app will be made available first on Apple's App Store, which is built on the iOS platform. It will subsequently appear on the Android platform in the Google Play Store.
What is an App?
Many of us who have been using tablet PCs like the iPad and smartphones like the iPhone will be familiar with the term "app", which is an abbreviation of "application". An app is a piece of software that can be downloaded and run on tablet computers and smartphones.
OUM's Virtual Store app will enable anyone to browse through the University's extensive catalogue of learning materials, selections of which can be downloaded for free by registered OUM learners. The general public can also, for a fee, download the materials they want for their own use.
The OUM Virtual Store will streamline the University's distribution of learning materials to its learners.
In the initial round of offering, the Virtual Store will offer materials in a variety of formats: PDF, HTML, audio files, and video files, including the forthcoming iTutorials, which are live recordings of actual face-to-face tutorials.
The Advantages of OUM Virtual Store
The OUM Virtual Store will streamline the University's distribution of learning materials to its learners. Registered learners need only download the materials for the courses they register every semester, literally without having to leave home, as they once had to, in order to collect them at their respective learning centres.
Leveraging on the app technology, OUM's Virtual Store also offers such rich features as push notification, instant updates, and social networking. As well, it will provide useful general information about the University such as maps and contact information of its main campus and learning centres throughout the country, faculty programme offerings, and so on.
OUM's Virtual Store app will enable anyone to browse through the University's extensive catalogue of learning materials, selections of which can be downloaded for free by registered OUM learners.
The Future is App
When launched, the OUM Virtual Store will be the first of its kind in the world of higher education. The initiative is certainly in line with the University's mission to widen access to quality education and provide lifelong learning opportunities by leveraging on technology.
Rest assured, we will be featuring more on the OUM Virtual Store in the near future. We hope you are as excited about its forthcoming debut as we are in developing it!